Kurup kochachan, after having spent the last week with us, returned to his son's place nearby. In fact, we'd gone and dropped him by teatime. He's teary eyed and wondered as to whether he'd get a chance to stay with us again, as Lekha and me were leaving. He made it sound as though it was one great opportunity to have stayed with us! A humbling thought indeed.
We'd not gone overboard to look after him, I mean, done things to 'impress' him so that he talked about it to the others. All we did was to give him the freedom to do things that he'd wanted to do and yes, we spent time with him discussing matters and events of the past that interested him. His needs were almost nothing and there's a naivete in everything he did.
Everyday, he used to be up with the lark and did his exercises using the ayurvedic oils and infusions that he carries with him, as advised by his doctor. The way he scanned the newspapers, over his morning cuppa, was something to be seen to be believed. Every bit of news, was taken in and reproduced, if and when the situation arose and I've always been impressed with his insight and analytical ability in deciphering them. His thoughts on entertainment - especially, with respect to the movies and the plays - are incisive, contemporary and thought provoking. I used to ask my doubts and be an ardent listener to his words of wisdom. And he's a voracious reader.
Moreover, with his narrations of events and anecdotes, I've come to understand the various personalities of my family - especially, those from my mom's side - and have been able to put them in a better perspective.
You've enriched our lives during your short stint with us, Kurup kochacha! We could understand your loneliness and the way you miss Leela kunjamma, every waking moment of your's. And we know that it's an anguish that you're rather possessive about, not wanting to share with anyone else lest it lost its intensity or perhaps, the aura.
Here's us wishing you good health, a control of your faculties and the sustenance of your tremendous sense of humour. For us, it was education on a platter which no institution can ever provide. Take care!
And I hope that we've many more such occasions!!
Tailpiece.
This has been the wonderful advantage of having been brought up in a joint family system. An aspect that the present generation is unaware of and can never be privy to.
We'd not gone overboard to look after him, I mean, done things to 'impress' him so that he talked about it to the others. All we did was to give him the freedom to do things that he'd wanted to do and yes, we spent time with him discussing matters and events of the past that interested him. His needs were almost nothing and there's a naivete in everything he did.
Everyday, he used to be up with the lark and did his exercises using the ayurvedic oils and infusions that he carries with him, as advised by his doctor. The way he scanned the newspapers, over his morning cuppa, was something to be seen to be believed. Every bit of news, was taken in and reproduced, if and when the situation arose and I've always been impressed with his insight and analytical ability in deciphering them. His thoughts on entertainment - especially, with respect to the movies and the plays - are incisive, contemporary and thought provoking. I used to ask my doubts and be an ardent listener to his words of wisdom. And he's a voracious reader.
Moreover, with his narrations of events and anecdotes, I've come to understand the various personalities of my family - especially, those from my mom's side - and have been able to put them in a better perspective.
You've enriched our lives during your short stint with us, Kurup kochacha! We could understand your loneliness and the way you miss Leela kunjamma, every waking moment of your's. And we know that it's an anguish that you're rather possessive about, not wanting to share with anyone else lest it lost its intensity or perhaps, the aura.
Here's us wishing you good health, a control of your faculties and the sustenance of your tremendous sense of humour. For us, it was education on a platter which no institution can ever provide. Take care!
And I hope that we've many more such occasions!!
Tailpiece.
This has been the wonderful advantage of having been brought up in a joint family system. An aspect that the present generation is unaware of and can never be privy to.
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