“Why did you turn off the fan, Granny?”, grumbled Sunaina, rubbing her eyes and struggling to open them. She was standing at the kitchen entrance. Chanting Annapurna (Goddess of Food) stotram (prayer), Granny was busy preparing breakfast.
“Good morning, grumpy bear”, she said, as she turned around to attend to Sunaina.
“Isn’t it our pact that when I am vacationing with you here, there would be no policing around for sleeping or getting up late?”, she lodged the complaint while hugging Granny.
“I know but MSEB doesn’t”, said Granny planting a kiss on Sunaina’s forehead.
“Mean?”, checked Sunaina in bewilderment.
“Maharastra State Electricity Board”, chipped in Grandpa, tapping Sunaina’s head.
“Can anyone help me make my morning better?”, asked Sunaina.
“There’s no current since early morning”, informed Grandpa.
“Oh man! How can you live life at such a place? Electricity is erratic. On some days, the taps run dry. And this happens so frequently. That’s not life”, grumbled Sunaina. By now she was wide awake.
“Life is ironic. It takes sadness to know what happiness is, noise to appreciate silence and absence to value presence”, replied Grandpa in his calm demeanour.
Checking Sunaina’s blank face, he said, “That means no electricity to appreciate the luxury of getting up late”, making the air lighter and raising his hand for Hi5. Sunaina reciprocated and smile descended on her face.
“If you can be quick enough, you can join me to Gauri’s house”, said Granny.
Gauri was granny’s friend. Sunaina loved to visit Gauri Aaji’s* house for one reason that there’s was a joint family. Four generations lived happily under one roof. Gauri Aaji’s mother in law, Indira, the great granny, was not keeping well. The old age had caught up with her. Gauri’s daughter in law, Revathi, had delivered a baby girl few months back.
Sunaina, loved coffee made by Gauri Aaji. She shared the interest of book reading with Revathi Aunty. She, thus was more than happy to join Hiranmayi, her own granny. Moreover, she wished to see the new addition to the family.
“Let’s go Granny”, urged Sunaina, as she got ready in no time. Granny was busy packing a tiffin. “Indira Kaku** loves to eat ghavan ***”, she informed Sunaina, as they stepped out.
On reaching Gauri’s house, they were greeted by Revathi. She was about to start her scooter.
“Welcome, welcome, Ms Overseas”, said Revathi with a chuckle. “What took so long to pay us a visit, Sunaina? Namaskar Hiranmayi Kaku. Aai is waiting for you inside. I am rushing off to market. I have to finish my chore and return before Sayali wakes up”.
“Carry on Revathi. Enjoy your previous little free time”, replied Granny.
“Hiranmayi, Sunaina, welcome, welcome”, said Gauri with a broad smile. “Someone is waiting eagerly for ghavana since morning”, she added with a grin.
Ushering them inside the house and leading them to great granny’s room, she continued, “I informed Aai that Hiranmayi is bringing ghavana. And since then every 10th minute or so she is checking your arrival”. Granny and Gauri chuckled at that.
As Sunaina entered the room, she saw two beds adjoining two opposite walls of the room. On one lay, baby Sayali in her “laughing Buddha” pose. A pair of colorful soft mittens wrapped her tiny little hands. On other, lay Indira, the Great Granny, listless. She had curled up her fragile body with her arms rested next to her face. Her wrinkled hands were wrapped in the muslin cloth mittens.
Tapping on Indira’s shoulder gently, Gauri Aaji said, “Aai, see who’s here. Don’t you wish to eat ghavana”. Gauri turned around and said while removing the mittens from Indira’s hands, “Though we have a water bed for Aai, she has developed some bed sores. She scratches them most of the time, resulting into bruises. To avoid further injury, I got these mittens stitched for her”
Sunaina stood speechless, standing between the two beds. On one side was the new life and on other there was a diminishing flame. In between the two, prevailed awareness, the real life. Sunaina witnessed a moment of awakening…that life is what happens between two pairs of mittens…
More stories from Sunaina’s diary… Forlorn Notes, A Wasted Life… May Be
This is my #Post1/ #Week3 for #MyFriendAlexa by Blogchatter. My previous posts so far…
#Post 1/#Week 1: Forlorn Notes #Post 2/ #Week2: Happy Surprise
#Post 1/#Week2: Bringing Up a Teen #Post 2/Week 2: See You soon
Linking this post to #FridayReflections by Shalini R of KohleyedMe and Corinne Rodrigues of Everydaygyaan a
45 Comments
Mayuri Nidigallu · September 17, 2018 at 3:16 pm
Beautiful , Anagha. You’ve described two ends of the spectrum so well. Very heartwarming post, teaching us to make the most of all that we have.
Anagha Yatin · September 17, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Most of the times, we fail to realise that being alive and standing on own feet is such a blessing, a gift. We tend to crib about trifle thing. Wish we make the most of all that we have, as you rightly said.
Thanks for visiting.
Varad · September 17, 2018 at 3:32 pm
This was beautiful narration, Anagha. The circle of life.
Anagha Yatin · September 17, 2018 at 4:28 pm
Thanks Varad.
Sudha · September 17, 2018 at 4:32 pm
Time to consciously learn to appreciate things that we take for granted!
Anagha Yatin · September 17, 2018 at 4:33 pm
So true Sudha. Thanks for visiting
Sajid Akhter · September 18, 2018 at 10:57 am
Hi Anagha,
Beautifully written, very descriptive and engaging. We should appreciate things that we have to attain contentment.
Thanks for sharing, have a good day. 🙂
Anagha Yatin · September 18, 2018 at 8:36 pm
Contentment is so elusive. As you mentioned few incidences do make one appreciate the value of being content. Thank you Sajid for visiting and sharing your thought.
BellyBytes · September 18, 2018 at 11:00 am
Simply amazing. How beautifully you’ve captured the transitioning of life through four generations. Reminds me of my own home where my in-laws, my children and grand children all enjoy each other’s company. We are blessed to have this life though at times it can become overwhelming!
Anagha Yatin · September 18, 2018 at 11:16 am
Easier said than done, I suppose, Sunita. I remember your post where your mom, daughter and you had visited an eatery. God bless you all, specially, wowDinga and papaya ?
BellyBytes · September 19, 2018 at 5:32 am
Thanks Anagha
Anshu Bhojnagarwala · September 18, 2018 at 11:03 am
Oh that’s very deep, Anagha! Even I was wondering why granny was wearing mittens. Babyhood is the start of the life and something beautiful, while old age is the end of life. But, in some ways, they are same. Loved your ending line – life is what happens between two pairs of mittens… so true!
Anagha Yatin · September 18, 2018 at 11:13 am
Thanks Anshu. You summarised the story so well?
Corinne Rodrigues · September 18, 2018 at 1:25 pm
I’ve just come from visiting my Mom’s sister who is slowing fading away. I watched her daughter feeding her water with a teaspoon and thought of the circle of life! Your story tells it so well, Anagha.
Anagha Yatin · September 18, 2018 at 1:54 pm
Corinne, this story was triggered by my visit, which we paid this Sunday, to my husband’s aunt (his mother’s sister), who is breathing her last. Feel there is a strange parallel in our lives, Corinne.
Thanks for visiting and sharing this experience.
Corinne Rodrigues · September 19, 2018 at 4:07 pm
Hugs, Anagha.
Neeraj Kumar · September 18, 2018 at 2:50 pm
Life: an eternal process!
Written well!
Anagha Yatin · September 18, 2018 at 3:05 pm
Thank you for visiting and appreciating Neeraj.
Roy S · September 18, 2018 at 7:40 pm
Loved the story! The way you have described the four stages of life is amazing. Life in all its form is beautiful, be it a new born baby or an old human. 🙂
Anagha Yatin · September 18, 2018 at 7:56 pm
Life is really beautiful! Thanks for bringing this positive thought to the discussion on the post.
Gald you loved it. Thanks for visiting.
Jyotirmoy Sarkar · September 18, 2018 at 8:39 pm
The new steps in this world and the vanishing one gradually…both with time, the game of time. very nice presentation.
Anagha Yatin · September 18, 2018 at 8:45 pm
As you rightly said, its really the game of time. Thanks Jyotirmoy for visiting and sharing your thought.
Sachin Baikar · September 18, 2018 at 10:28 pm
Very well written post ? Anagha.
Thanks for sharing.
Sanjota Purohit · September 19, 2018 at 3:10 am
It held me through out! We cannot predict anything about life! Just going with the flow can lead to happy life.
deepa joshi · September 19, 2018 at 10:54 am
I reiterate..u are really a good storyteller…keep writing dear.
Anagha Yatin · September 19, 2018 at 11:22 am
Thank you so much Deepa for the kind words.
Bhavna Saurabh Sharma · September 19, 2018 at 11:03 am
wow. we reach exactly where we started from. In between life exists. Live each moment to its fullest and keep no regrets. How deep this wonderful piece was. Whenever I lack energy and feel low its your blog I come back to. Lots of love Anagha. Keep inspiring.
Anagha Yatin · September 19, 2018 at 11:21 am
I’m touched Bahavana. Thanks for visiting.
heartinprintbyjaya · September 19, 2018 at 4:38 pm
Wonderfully written showing perceptions of people at different stages of life.
Anagha Yatin · September 19, 2018 at 5:47 pm
Perceptions and age are closely related, as you rightly mentioned. Thanks for visiting and sharing your thought.
Neha Sharma · September 19, 2018 at 10:22 pm
This post tells so much about life. A life that is yet to come out of its cocoon and a life that is full of experiences and ready to fly away. I loved how you introduced the characters and made it an interesting tale. So much to take back from this story. Thanks for writing and sharing!
Anagha Yatin · September 20, 2018 at 7:28 am
Thanks Neha for visiting and for kind words.
Meenakshi J · September 19, 2018 at 10:50 pm
You weave magic with your words and narration,Ana ! Life is a celebration and we often restrict it to days and dates on the calendar..
Anagha Yatin · September 20, 2018 at 7:32 am
Life is indeed an everyday celebration,which we happily forget, as you mentioned so rightly! Thanks Meenu??
vartikasdiary1 · September 20, 2018 at 3:04 am
So beautifully you have described the circle of life Anagha, loved this post.
Anagha Yatin · September 20, 2018 at 7:34 am
Thanks Vartika. Glad you liked it.
Varsh · September 20, 2018 at 11:32 am
Our beginning and end days aren’t very different from each other after all, isn’t it? Loved the comparison here, Anagha. I’m wondering what kind of conversations they might be having with each other in solitude.
Anagha Yatin · September 20, 2018 at 11:46 am
Aha…thats a good food for thought Varsh! Thanks dear for igniting the spark of new thread in my mind.
magiceye · September 21, 2018 at 4:51 pm
Insightful tale!
Anagha Yatin · September 21, 2018 at 4:53 pm
Thank you Deepak ji.
Parul Thakur · September 21, 2018 at 10:52 pm
So true and that’s what we know as the circle of life. Beautiful story.
Anagha Yatin · September 22, 2018 at 7:21 am
Thanks Parul
Priya · September 25, 2018 at 5:08 pm
one storyteller you are, Anagha. This is beautiful. love the title and the last line “life happens between two pairs of mittens’
Anagha Yatin · September 26, 2018 at 11:10 am
Thanks Priya for kind words. Thanks for visiting.
Natasha · September 28, 2018 at 12:57 pm
Anagha you are a very gifted story teller, and it’s incredible how you weave such beautiful tales, time after time. More power to you!