Our past matters...

Gosh, Im finally out of the worst writer's block I've had in years.Only a blog-block though. I did manage to reel out a short story in the meantime.

And how did my block finally end? A sms ! Yes... the same person who sent me the sms that morning, ( refer to my second or third post in February).

This sms read " There comes a point in your life, when you realize who matters, who doesn't, who never did and who always will. So don't worry about the people from your past. There is a reason they didn't make it to your future ."

Dont worry about the people from your past ? Does that mean that only the people in your present count ? What about your first love, your first "best friend", your first teachers, your first coach, your first team captain ?????

Is it, that just still being in touch with these people, makes them significant ? I think not.

There have been so many people, who have molded you knowingly or unknowingly in the past. People whose second names you might not remember now. People who, if you cross them in the street, you probably wouldn't want to say hello to.But they have mattered.

One of the best compliments I have ever received was when i was 13, the vice captain of the Pune under-14 basketball team. I had the ex India captain in my team, 4-5 players who had played for Mahrashtra the year before, Our coach at that time said, " If I would have been the selector, I would have made Rohit captain. He might not be the best player, but he has a hold over other players that no one else has."

That comment has stuck with me till now, someone had told me for the very first time that I was special. Coach didn't make to my future. I don't even know where he is. But he sure as hell made a difference in my life.

My physiology teacher wrote in my slam book after I graduated, " Very few teachers get an opportunity to teach a student like you. I am lucky that God gave me this opportunity."
I was at a loss of words when I read this. I plan to frame this page and put it up in my clinic. 10 years from now, I might not even know where this person (my physiology teacher) is. He hasn't made it to my future.
But can I ever forget him ?

We learn so much from our first crush that never works out. Our first real fight with someone.The first time someone breaks our trust. The first time we break someone's trust.

And the day we change. For the better or for the worse.

Our past. It matters.