"Walking hand in hand with me was my Nani (that's how I called my granny), dropping me, my brother and my mother to the bus stop nearest to her place."
"Making chandan base at the temple, offering prayers to the almighty, talking to the priest."
"Taking care of my mother and me and so many times, travelling so far to our place just to look after us."
I remember my Nani quite often as I walk past the same places again and even otherwise in my memory. I'm very grateful to her that she was the one who loved my mother the most among anyone can ever try to.
Now, I will be telling my own personal reminiscences with her. I was a quiet child and I strike a chord with my Nani when most of cousins didn't (haha! all you brothers and sisters, now don't be jealous!). I asked my mother "What's her favorite dish from Nani?" She said "Curry Rice". The next time I visited her, I demanded it. And she cooked it! The joy of eating it stills brings happiness on my face.
My mother was scared to get my ears pierced. I demanded it again ( ....Well, I can be very demanding! :D). My Nani came along with me and we got it done together. And from next morning to many a days, while I was dozing off, she was applying haldi to it so that my ear doesn't hurt much and remains soft. (Aah! This is a lifelong memory attached with my ears.).
She treated me with a " Bar One" chocolate each day when I improved on my health as she came to look after me. I eat it even today with the same delight of that memory.
My granny had artificial teeth which she took out before sleeping. She once, asked me "Why don't you sleep?" Inquisitive in nature (by my very birth.. now I realise! :D), I told her "I want to see how you pluck it out?". My Nani burst out laughing. That's, one of the friendly comedy scenes I share with her. I was embarrassed though at that time. Even now, sometimes, I wonder about the sadness of that in-depth laughter. But I'm glad the episode happened for me to have another memory of her.
"Making chandan base at the temple, offering prayers to the almighty, talking to the priest."
"Taking care of my mother and me and so many times, travelling so far to our place just to look after us."
I remember my Nani quite often as I walk past the same places again and even otherwise in my memory. I'm very grateful to her that she was the one who loved my mother the most among anyone can ever try to.
Now, I will be telling my own personal reminiscences with her. I was a quiet child and I strike a chord with my Nani when most of cousins didn't (haha! all you brothers and sisters, now don't be jealous!). I asked my mother "What's her favorite dish from Nani?" She said "Curry Rice". The next time I visited her, I demanded it. And she cooked it! The joy of eating it stills brings happiness on my face.
My mother was scared to get my ears pierced. I demanded it again ( ....Well, I can be very demanding! :D). My Nani came along with me and we got it done together. And from next morning to many a days, while I was dozing off, she was applying haldi to it so that my ear doesn't hurt much and remains soft. (Aah! This is a lifelong memory attached with my ears.).
She treated me with a " Bar One" chocolate each day when I improved on my health as she came to look after me. I eat it even today with the same delight of that memory.
My granny had artificial teeth which she took out before sleeping. She once, asked me "Why don't you sleep?" Inquisitive in nature (by my very birth.. now I realise! :D), I told her "I want to see how you pluck it out?". My Nani burst out laughing. That's, one of the friendly comedy scenes I share with her. I was embarrassed though at that time. Even now, sometimes, I wonder about the sadness of that in-depth laughter. But I'm glad the episode happened for me to have another memory of her.
Granny could be my grand mom too. For she many a times, got angry with me and told me to behave well, not be stubborn, etc. And she was right in her way totally.
She peeled off pomegranate whenever we visited her and telling us to eat (..Now you come into picture all my brothers and sisters!). She was all ears to all happy news, problems of all her relatives and us, the little kids. She was never short of putting forth her opinions and an optimistic endeavor.
Today on this very auspicious occasion of Rakshabandhan where there might be your empty space but never an empty memory, Nani, I wish to say to you "I love you and I miss you!".
