OH, SWEET MOTHER Oh, Sweet mother.Every day I see you smiling at me, the apple of your eyesFrom baby, till now. Every day she combs my hairTill it is soft and silky. Every day she cooks my favorite foods.Fresh homemade breakfast, lunch, and dinner Every day no matter how busy she is with her job or even when she is sick.She always keeps the house shining and comfortable for me. Every day she anxiously waits for me to come home from school by the door. Her eyes are shining in the sun, and even when it is rainy I can feel thatwarmth from her lustrous eyes. When her shimmering shiny gaze falls upon meI feel so happy and loved inside and out. Oh! What can I ever do in return for you? Oh! Sweet mother,You give everything to me so selflessly! Your love knows no boundaries. Oh! Sweet mother, I love you with all my heart and soul.Oh, Sweet mother. I CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY! I do not want to live in the darkI want to live in the light of stars.I choose to be happy! Once, I went to a Thanksgiving party.There I touched a turkey balloon bigger than my body.In a minute it popped, and I sobbed.The lady looked at me with a smile andSaid it happens occasionally.She said she chooses to be happy. Then one day I was making sand art,Everyone said I was smart.A boy came from nowhere and ran over my art everywhere.I felt disheartened but my mind sparkled.I remembered the kind and wise words of the lady.I choose to be happy. And be steady.I understood that things will not always be perfect.However, I could always choose to be happy. ~Hridik Sehgal,Online SSE Group 2

Never Alone In me, outside me, around methrough methe Divine existsto rule me I’m never alonethe King is on the throneto rule me Life’s little moments ofvictory and defeatLeave me with thoughtsof only the featas I have succeededas I have failedas I have learneddestiny’s tale The heart murmurs nearthe thoughts I hold dearI’m never aloneYou are hereYou sharpen my skillsYou brighten my mindYou delight my senseseverything is Divineand I see You in everything I dozYou are the fuelYou are the fireYou are the energythat drives me much higherbeyond the dawnof Light I’m never alone,You are in mefor eternityguiding me throughleading me true,to essence sublimeand my divinityHow could it beYou without mein this placein all its waste Never alonealways with Yousenses in blissjust enjoying this. —Douglas J. MahrSource: Sanathana Sarathi, July 1978