I had met her back in 2005. I don’t remember which month but definitely in 2005. Mummy or mummyji as everyone would call her was Vijay’s mother. As everyone called her Mummy, I too called her mummy.
Its amazing how relationship develop. I, who had never had left Mumbai met a family from Delhi in Amsterdam and before I knew we are very close. The relationship between us has stood the test of time and distance. I had left Amsterdam way back in 2007 and I have been to Delhi many times after that.
But with Mummy it was different. She was not a citizen of Netherlands and would return every few months. When she would arrive, the whole atmosphere would change in the house. There was more Indian food for sure. Her grandchildren would certainly take more liberties and TV was dominated by Hindi serials. She liked Hindi serials and would justify it as the only source of timepass.
I did not spent time with my own grandmother much but I would spend sometime with Mummy. We could definitely have a conversation. Like the family, Mummy also was close to me.
When I came back in India, I did visit Delhi sometimes to meet the family when they came to India. I also met Mummy that time. She would warmly welcome me in the house, the sparkle in her eyes never missing. I would occasionally call her and most of the time she had problem recognizing my voice. She would enquire about the whole family remembering about everyone in Mumbai.
Last year she felt sick and that is when I rushed to Delhi too. She was definitely weak as she lay in bed. She saw me with those tired eyes and smiled. She was tired but she wanted to live. She recovered slowly enough to stand on her feet but was weak but she tried.
I would talk to her every few weeks but lately had not called her for a long time. I guess the last time I called was more than a month ago. I guess there cannot be an excuse but she was recovering and I did not expect anything to happen to her.
After a year of fighting the illness, she finally passed away on 25th August. Its always difficult to handle when we don’t expect people to leave us. I saw her for the last time and she seem so calm. Even when we had cremated her, it seems that she would be there somewhere and would come back from the kitchen or inside.
I am back from Delhi and the relatives have gone back. I am back in office and the family is left in Delhi and things would not be the same again. As I browse through her photos over the year, I look back at the time I had spent with her. There are lots of memories out there and she will stay alive in all our memories.
I can only hope she passed away in peace and may her soul rest in peace!
You will be missed Mummy!
Godspeed the departed soul.
Take care Punds.
May her sole rest in peace..
May her soul rest in peace..
Thanks Pundu for making her live through your blog. I cherished thoroughly your remembrances.
We all miss her and in fact with time the feelings get stronger (not the other way round).
regards
Vijay