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AAJI

Grandmothers are supposed to be doting, fussing, overprotective, sweet, caring, the conventional qualities of grandmom’s can go on and on. Aaji certainly hit all the checkboxes that makes for a loving affectionate Indian grandmother. But her devotion to her family ,(pretty extended one that too) ,her willingness to help family members in need , her willingness to play perfect hosts to anyone who was in need and her simplicity made Aaji surpass mightiest of expectation that one might have for goodness of grandmother.

As far as I can remember most of our childhood vacations were spent with Aaji-Azoba. Either we went to Mumbai or we choose to go somewhere together (tourist destinations with temples). Every such sojourn I pampered with love from Aaji, on such trips I used to spend more time with them than with my parents.

My earliest childhood memories were of house in jogeshwari. Reflecting about that flat now makes me feel that somehow it defied laws of physics. There were so many of us, still we managed to have such a good time in there. It was just 1Bedroom, but for us it became a playground when all the cousins met. I don't know about the grown- ups, all my memories are happy ones associated with that house, all the cousins getting together and having blast, and of course with a doting grandmother to indulge us all.

Aaji led a simple life her day to day activities included taking care of Azoba’s breakfast, making sure cook was putting enough oil and spices in food (:)) , an extended prayer session, browsing Marathi newspapers, catching up on Marathi soaps when Azoba comes back from office. 
Her day used to light up when her sons/ daughter /grandkids came to visit her.  In spite of suffering from asthma she choose to stay in Mumbai and endure the humid and polluted environment, to be around her kids and grandkids. She vehemently vetoed Azobas suggestion to move to Aurangabad after his retirement.

She was as devoted to her faith as much as she was to family. But my guess all her prayers were for her family members. Don’t think she asked anything for herself, she was content and happy with whatever she had. The festival of Mahalaxmi was one of the rare occasions when all the family gathered to decorate and honor the goddesses. It combined the two things which were most important to her family and faith.

While playing the perfect hostess she never sat down peacefully. She made sure everyone was taken care of. Be it early morning tea/coffee, breakfast, lunch, snacks or dinner, she was on constant move. No amount of telling her would deter her from doing the chores in the kitchen. She had to be on top of things. Whenever I came to her place, I was treated to my favorite dish puran-podi. In my opinion nobody made puran-podi as good as she did.  

Another quintessential from grandmom’s was storytelling to grandkids. She told me stories of Shivaji, many Marathi saints, Pehswas and of course gazillion god anecdotes. She was very passionate about anything related to Marathi culture. Hearing these stories at young age left a deep impression on my mind, it helped me to create strong connection with my Marathi heritage, imbibed a deep sense of right vs wrong in my mind and help built a strong moral grounding which still guides me.
    
The most recent memory of her was from my wedding. She had just come out of illness. But when she was among her loved ones her strength came back. She was beaming with joy, and seemed to be enjoying the constant chatter all around her. She even sent off people when they were leaving, that's quite a feat at the age of 85, if it involves stairs.

While her death came as a very sad blow to all of us, knowing her I don’t believe she would be resting in peace. Now free of her physical unresponsive body she can rejoice in joys and achievement of her family, be the positive force for anyone who is going through rough patch. Witness mundane events of life that would be interesting to only whose love is unbounded. She is free to do what she liked the most spent time with her loved ones.


We all know you are there, but we shall still miss you.
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