September 4th, 2008 – Clad in white, a dimunitive form, she sits quietly clinging to her wheelchair, in the bright cheerful living room, just staring at the television! Having lost control of pretty much everything-her life, her body, she is blissfully unaware that its her 90th Birthday..this is my Naani or Mamama as I call her! Some of her days go without uttering a word, but other days are like a Tsunami of high pitched expletives ,while many other days it's incessant chant of a single sentence! Rapidly drawn into the abyss of "Alzheimer's", perhaps fully aware and pleased, that she is surrounded by loving and caring people, her own children and grandchildren tending to her relentlessly, rather than being "taken care of" at an "old age home"! A 'Raaja Yoga' of sorts!
This is the very lady who was once famous in her native village in Kerala for singing a patriotic song, in the presence of Jawaharlal Nehru at a tender age. She didn't get to finish her 4th grade yet she could converse fluently and read in over 6 languages! Married off too young, a mother too soon and widowed too early, she waded through vagaries presented by the notorious Great Depression! I will always admire her 'SPINE' for single handedly bringing up her 6 kids and an adopted son! To add to this, she lovingly nurtured many a strays as pets, not thinking about costs even in difficult times!! She willingly traveled miles to buy provisions just because they were cheaper, stood in endless ration queues, hoarded up even the smallest of plastic or metal cans for the 'scrap value' and brought up an smart and educated brood worth being proud of!
She always encouraged her sons and daughters equally to pursue higher education, was very welcoming when her grandchildren adopted kids or married out of the cast, lives proudly with her daughters and not her sons… is this not a portrait of a modern woman!!
Let me not speak of her as if she doesn't exist anymore, she always will - even after she is gone! Because her next generations are here and flourishing, only because of her and her untiring attitude to sustain, rather than to merely exist! Thank you Mamama, for passing on the 'SPINE', which is far too valuable than any heirloom. More now than ever, to hold on to hopes and tide over present gloomy times!!
7 comments:
Hats off to Mamama. A life beautifully lived whose reward is life itself.
Our nation today is built on the SPINEs of mothers like Mamama, whose devotion to family is at the root of the stability of our culture.
Kudos to this article for recognising one such Mamama.
Well put Devi!! Here's to all unsung heroines!!Many Tnx for ur encouragement, without which not a word in the article would hv flown out from the enclosures of my heart!!
Tears in my eyes, lump in my throat... Loved it !hope to see more of these..
Appooo Tnx! As always! Please do start ur own blog and revive those creative writing years...
Very inspiring , am sure everyone of us has such a person in our lives,who simply inspire us by their grit ,determination and courage to face the odds.
well written!
Hi,
This is from Indusladies. Didn't know how to get in touch with you. So commenting here.
Please refer this link - http://www.indusladies.com/forums/blogs/induslady/2945-indusladies-international-womens-day-blog-page19.html#comment32232, our response to your contest entry.
What a lady! Kudos to her and you for the telling us about her.
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