Eulogy
This is in fond memory of one of the two strongest women I have encountered in my life. I had to bid goodbye to one of them half a decade ago and now I am bidding farewell to the other. Bye bye Grandma! For me there is certainly a beginning to the relationship I had with her but by no means an end. She is a part of me and whatever I am today is mostly because of her. So she might have discarded her physical self from this material world but her presence will always be felt in my life. She was a loving wife albeit never showing her emotions to the outer world, a loving mother, a caring mother-in-law, the greatest grandmother and a sweet great-grandmother. She was the umbrella that kept the family safe for as long as she was independent. She was the marriage broker who passionately brought so many future couples together. She was the person who could fit a larger wardrobe into a smaller door with novel ideas that even an engineer may have not thought about. Her melodious voice brought life to music and her deep understanding of the subtle things in life was always surprising. Who could have imagined that a simple girl from a village with minimal schooling could take on the world and bring up her four children when her spouse was travelling around the country on his work? She was an epitome of sheer energy whom I had not seen shedding a tear until she heard the news of her daughter's death. She was the loving and caring human who nurtured and reared her grand children just like her own children. I am still told stories of how she cradled me day and night when I was a toddler suffering from illness. My sister practically lived with my her for half her present life and not with my mother. She was the best organiser of events with capabilities that could put even a qualified project manager to shame. A mere housewife, she dabbled in all fields- from banking to cooking. She gave a promising break to countless sales people who found themselves enormously lucky when they sold their wares in her house and then never had to look back. She was the healer who would rub my back endlessly and release me from the clutches of a horrible breathing problem. Along with my grandpa she sowed the seeds of ethics and discipline in me and introduced me to the colourful world of mythology and story telling. She had more confidence in her grand children more than their parents ever had. That toothy grin of hers could light up a million faces at once. She had the talent of an artiste and the mind of a genius. Financial experts should have consulted her to find simple solutions to what seemed like grave problems. That's how multifaceted my grandmother was. I am proud to say that she resides in me and will always be with me where ever I am! She helped me create and identity for myself and I am sure she has done the same for many more.
Dear Pati, you have left behind a huge void which can never be filled. You have left behind a legacy that we are so proud to carry on. May your soul rest in peace and please keep an eye out for all of us.
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