In loving memory of a friend, philosopher and guide…..
For the first time when I decided to write, it felt like I owed it to her. My grandmother, yes like every other grandma out there, she was special, in her own little way. A simple definition of hers would be pastel shade nine-yard saree and surprisingly modern thoughts. Yes, seeing her I understood what ‘being ahead of your time’ meant.
It feels like yesterday, I and Aaji were sitting in the balcony and discussing how it would be once I moved to Pune. I knew she was upset but with a pretty smile on her face, all she said was, ”Pune is going to be your new home. You will now learn the value of being on your own. I know you are a good girl, but this experience will make you an even better person.” With always such positive words, I have hardly heard her saying no, never or anything of this sort. It was like the word impossible did not exist for her.
Being two generations apart, never really bothered us. We could talk about anything and everything. I remember telling her every single detail about my school, college, friends, etc. and in return, she had lots and lots to talk about her poetry group, Shri Krishna, latest scientific discoveries, finest people around us and what not. She was one of the most updated people I know, She was curious to learn and try out new things. In her late seventies, she was equally excited as a teenager to use a cell phone and I was the privileged one to teach her how to type and send a text message. She wanted to learn how it was to be done on my touch screen phone too. That was her enthusiasm!
Yes, she was my oldest and wisest friend. I am not fond of reading, but to inculcate a little bit of that liking in me, she read to me what she found interesting. Be it philosophical, scientific or a storybook. She had all these fun ideas and tried out most of them. She has written plenty of poems and articles. Dozens of them published too.
And the one thing I am going to miss the most about her is her “appreciation” about everything. Yes, it does feel good when people are really happy with your achievements and they show it. She had an appreciation about these tiniest things. It would be our outstanding college results or a small consolation prize in elocution competition. She hugged us with the same warmth, and with a kiss on forehead always wished the best. With ‘limelet’ candy and a letter with words of love, we never really needed any other gifts.
Whenever I visit my home, for a second I feel like calling, “Aaaji ga…”, and still hope I would get a reply from another room. But it’s almost a year, and I am still making peace with that fact. Everybody thought to be the youngest in the family; she pampered me the most. But the way I see it, being the youngest, I got the least time to spend with her.
It feels like yesterday, I and Aaji were sitting in the balcony and discussing how it would be once I moved to Pune. I knew she was upset but with a pretty smile on her face, all she said was, ”Pune is going to be your new home. You will now learn the value of being on your own. I know you are a good girl, but this experience will make you an even better person.” With always such positive words, I have hardly heard her saying no, never or anything of this sort. It was like the word impossible did not exist for her.
Being two generations apart, never really bothered us. We could talk about anything and everything. I remember telling her every single detail about my school, college, friends, etc. and in return, she had lots and lots to talk about her poetry group, Shri Krishna, latest scientific discoveries, finest people around us and what not. She was one of the most updated people I know, She was curious to learn and try out new things. In her late seventies, she was equally excited as a teenager to use a cell phone and I was the privileged one to teach her how to type and send a text message. She wanted to learn how it was to be done on my touch screen phone too. That was her enthusiasm!
Yes, she was my oldest and wisest friend. I am not fond of reading, but to inculcate a little bit of that liking in me, she read to me what she found interesting. Be it philosophical, scientific or a storybook. She had all these fun ideas and tried out most of them. She has written plenty of poems and articles. Dozens of them published too.
And the one thing I am going to miss the most about her is her “appreciation” about everything. Yes, it does feel good when people are really happy with your achievements and they show it. She had an appreciation about these tiniest things. It would be our outstanding college results or a small consolation prize in elocution competition. She hugged us with the same warmth, and with a kiss on forehead always wished the best. With ‘limelet’ candy and a letter with words of love, we never really needed any other gifts.
Whenever I visit my home, for a second I feel like calling, “Aaaji ga…”, and still hope I would get a reply from another room. But it’s almost a year, and I am still making peace with that fact. Everybody thought to be the youngest in the family; she pampered me the most. But the way I see it, being the youngest, I got the least time to spend with her.
Ajji gaaa ....yes ...I too expect her reply just as u did....
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