Twice Blessed

John and  Sara belonged to the old school of thought- Man  the breadwinner and wife, homemaker. They were content with that setup for themselves but always had a desire to educate both their son and daughter for a profession. Both Joseph and Rebecca were just a year apart from each other. But when the time for their higher education arrived, the parents realised to their dismay that desires can remain unfulfilled. Their financial situation would not allow them to give college education to both children. They knew that Rebecca fared well in her studies. But being the son, Joseph was given priority. The father said, “Children, though we wanted to give you both equal opportunities, our present situation is unfavourable for the same. Hence, Joseph, you can pursue college while Rebecca will not so”. Tears welled up in Rebecca’s eyes, but realising her parents’ predicament, she controlled her tears.

Joseph thought for a while and then opened up. “I was never as studious as Rebecca. I prefer taking up a job or doing business. Let my sister study.” No words could describe the joy of his sister who thanked him profusely. Right from her childhood, she carried the desire to become a “lady Doctor”. Now she thought God has opened the door for her. With great zest and enthusiasm, she faced her medical entrance and was one among the very few selected for the course. We should keep in mind Rebecca belonged to an age when women were destined for early marriage and domesticity.

Her parents had to bear the criticism of their relatives “Where is the need to educate the daughter? How are you going to find a match for her?” But they didn’t seem to be bothered and went ahead with making the necessary arrangements for her medical studies. Soon after her studies, they got her married to a handsome educated man. The parents felt happy and relieved after her marriage. But after a lengthy gap, they got two more daughters in quick succession. With great difficulty, they were brought up and the parents could give them only school education.

Unfortunately, the father lost his clerical job while one of the regular customers of the office turned a cheat. The administration advised him to resign owning responsibility for the loss incurred. And so he was forced to give up his job. As he was fifty- four then, to get another job became difficult. The responsibility to give a higher education to his last two daughters was staring at him.  He wrote to his son if he could give a college education to one of the sisters.  Pat came his reply “There is no need to give daughters college education. Try and get them married at the earliest”. The father in his anger tore the letter.  He told his wife, “I am not surprised at his reply. But we should educate them like their elder sister. We shall go to our native village and do farming. At least we can save up money by minimising our expenses- opting out of city life.”  

They did so but not much could come out of it.  When Rebecca knew of what had happened to her father’s job and how it adversely affected the sisters’ education, she could bear no more. She could not even swallow her food when she thought of her parents’ struggle to make both ends meet. It was then her husband rose to the occasion- suggesting her parents and sisters to be brought near them. Rebecca was so thankful to her husband for his thoughtful reaction. In fact, she least expected it for they were then supporting his parents also. They both firmly believed that if it was the right decision, God would definitely enable them to carry it out.  So they both decided that Rebecca should start her own practice to meet the additional expenses that might incur. She resigned from the Medical Officer's post in the Government and went ahead with her private practice. Everything started looking up.

Her parents and sisters were brought from their native place. Rebecca and her husband could buy a house, in the nearby city wherein her sisters could begin their college education. Also, Rebecca’s children too could be educated in city schools. Was not Rebecca’s love and concern for her parents and sisters “twice blessed”? Shakespeare was right when he said, “….I blesseth him who takes and him who gives.”

Of course, Rebecca’s parents were very happy and relieved. “Don’t you think, we were right in not listening to our neighbours' advice?  We have now realised educating a daughter means educating a family!”, said the mother with a glowing smile.