#Story #SHEROESOriginals The Gift of Life It is the second week of February. An ordinary weekend is knocking on the door. On the other side, awaits a special day. Ashwina, a middle aged woman, was on a career break for two decades. She had embraced, with open arms, the life of a homemaker, nurturing two daughters. With blind faith, she had convinced her parents, and taken the plunge of faith. Married for the past 20 years, she eventually had to convince herself to continue in the wedlock too, because her husband and his family disrespected and misbehaved with her. Ashwina lived with acute depression and fear in her own house. Secluded from the entire world, she had no one to hug and caress her out of the misery. Every cloud has a silver lining. So did the cloud in Ashwina's life. When it seemed like a dead end, the pandemic gave her life, a U-turn. She bought a second hand laptop and secured an online teaching opportunity. She is no longer shackled at home, because she lands in various cities of India, Canada, the USA, the UAE and Europe, all in one day. The endearing charm of the children she teaches, keeps her smiling throughout the day. It is 14th February, Valentine's Day. Dressed in red, with roses in her background, Ashwina is geared up to meet her children. They are her Valentine. They have enriched her life with love, laughter and joy. Ashwina is full of gratitude. The pandemic is her Superhero, which has helped her to fight back and live. It has given her the gift of life, which she will ever cherish.