"Ding an sich"

It was three days since I heard from him. I decided to wait some more before I logged out.

There was nothing in common between us but for our passion for truth perhaps. In fact there was a lot to divide us, our ages, our back-grounds...he a strapping young man of less than 30 galloping towards the future, with dreams of changing the world - me, a sober, more than middle aged woman at that bend of the road from where life begins to slow down . We shared no secrets , we made no pacts, he merrily titled me siso and I made him my bro. We made little conversation, whatever he beleived in was mirrored in his work. His poems, his articles - they spoke volumes about him, displaying his intellect. I enjoyed the little spaces of silence we shared.

I was sad, he had left no message. As I got ready to close down there was a 'pop' in my ear followed by a hug and a long drawn out smeeee.......time stood still, I could sense my eyes brimming, my heart filled with joy. I complained - he apologised, trying to pacify me and suddenly it struck me - this was it !. This was 'ding an sich' !!! - 'the thing in itself',the real thing. Love at its best, as it is - true and unconditional, nothing to give and nothing to gain. Rarely do we get glimpses of ' ding an sich'. Most of the time we are watching perceptions, representations - not the truth.

That rare fleeting moment was truth in its entirety, joy at its best.