On one dull weekend of 2013, I received a call for clowning at a hospital. I had recently requested Nivendra Uduman, a Servicespace connection, to inform me of any kindness activities, in the neighbourhood. I had no idea about ‘Clowning’ but it seemed new & exciting. So far, I had always felt like avoiding hospitals which appeared intimidating and depressing places. While all these apprehensions bubbled within me, I decided to go.
At the hospital gate, I met the team. Brett Smith was in a clown dress prepared for juggling. Nivendra was carrying a guitar and I had taken some stuff like drawing, sheets, colours , etc. We had a few balloons too. Straightaway, we walked towards the kids ward. I was still anxious & unsure, but now having a new confidence with this team of kindred souls.

Inside the ward, there was gloominess in the air and a few kids were having difficulty due to sickness or pain. Others were dull or sleeping. Brett and Nivendra started conversing with children lovingly. I was observing and felt so good about it. It just seemed natural to love and care for these struggling little ones. I was feeling emotional and pondered on the necessity of such visits to a hospital. As a society, we all seemed so thoughtless. Little ones confined in a gloomy, depressing place and no one cares for their joy. Parents struggling with work, home and a sick kid without any support, becoming sad and sick themselves. Why are we not there for each other as humans to support in times of suffering?

Brett was doing clown acts to make little kids smile, Niv was giving balloons and though feeling shy, I joined them too. I started asking the children to draw something of their liking. Kids and their parents were discussing on drawing ideas with me. We started sketching pictures of birds, scenery, flowers, fish, and children at school , etc. Beautiful images of joy from the world. We also sang songs along with music, and few kids started jumping and dancing ☺. We danced too. We were careful to maintain a low volume and soft tone in the hospital, as required. All along, there were subtle moments of love, caressing touches and sincere efforts to fulfil small requests of kids, which made it all so beautiful.

Within few minutes of our visit, smiles, cheer and laughter of kids could be heard, in the environment. Parents were happy and smiling too. These showcased an effort to forget their own difficulties and honour our efforts. Some kids and parents were expressing applaud and gratitude. Each smile, every little giggle was an extremely precious gift.

As I walked out, I was very excited and in high spirits. The dull weekend afternoon had completely transformed into a super happy evening.
During the sharing after the event, I got to know that Brett was travelling to places, to clown for kids. He was visiting India from Europe and was living a very simple life to be able to serve with limited financial expenses. Niv was a college student, managing a hectic schedule but ever ready for giving. We all looked tired after last 3-4 hours of travel and activity, but I heard both these guys plan to come back. They were bothered about the wards which could not be covered. ‘Wow, great people’, I was learning a lesson in selflessness, right there.

I walked towards my home, all cheerful and beaming with smiles. Clowning was a new-found happiness, a blessing, which had made me come Alive ☺.

Posted by Madhur Khanna on May 22, 2016 | permalink