MINE.

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Mine.
How often do you use this word in a day?  
By saying it, do you come across as self-centered?  
Or is it simply natural to claim what belongs to you?  
But how often do we use it when referring to people?  
I’m sure you’ve used it with your loved ones, right?  
Even within a family, is OURS preferred over MINE?  
Does that make you a possessive spouse or an overprotective parent?  
Or are you saying, 'I’m not really bothered about how that’s perceived'?  
Fair enough.  
But let me promise you, by the end of this little story, your perception of MINE may change forever....


MINE .

A couple of days ago, my son got lucky. He secretly persuaded his granddad to buy him a brand-new water bottle for school.  
It was stylish, with a digital temperature display on the lid.  
He was over the moon, and the joy on his face made him escape our scoldings.  
He carried it with him everywhere. Wherever he went, the bottle went too. They quickly became inseparable.  

The next day, he took it to school, eager to show his friends and put it to good use.  
It lifted his spirits and made him even more excited.

That evening, while I was busy in the kitchen, he came over and asked me to spell my name.  
I nodded and distractedly muttered the letters.  
He beamed, thanked me, and happily skipped out of the room.

A while later, he returned holding his bottle.  
“Maa, surprise!” he said, beaming.  
He proudly held up the bottle like a trophy.  
I was taken aback when I saw four tiny labels stuck to the bottle, each bearing one of our names — his mom, dad, baby sister, and his own name at the top.

I was deeply touched by this sweet gesture and speechless when he said,  
“Now I can look at your names whenever I miss you at school.”  
I hugged him tight and thanked him for being so thoughtful.

A child adoring a new toy or pencil box is common, I know. We all do that, right? At least for the first few days after buying something new.  

But what really struck me was how easily he transitioned from the MINE mindset to the OURS mindset.  

This was something I hadn’t expected, and I couldn’t help but feel proud.

Sometimes, our children are our greatest teachers, guiding us with the best life lessons. Don’t you agree?  

For him to associate something that means so much to him — his water bottle — with the people he loves, shows a pure heart and a beautiful soul.

The moment he wrote our names on the bottle, what was once his became ours.  

How I wish it were that easy for us adults.  

To let go of something and share it with others so graciously.  

So authentically humane!  

This simple act of kindness melted my heart, and it will forever be cherished in my memories of him.  

My dear son.  
He’s mine.  

Correction!  

OURS.

PC : https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/side-view-smiley-mother-holding-kid_33625892.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=31&uuid=60040ac4-a430-44fe-a6ef-51475c36b3f6




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