It was dawn. As Meenakshi Amma woke up, she saw the golden, glittering rays filter through the half open window. The soft, melodious ghanta ninadam from the nearby Vishnu alayam floated in the air. The birds were celebrating the dawn with mellifluous, rhythmic chirps. The charming jasmine vine from the front garden was spreading its hypnotic perfume in the air.
Meenakshi Amma quickly arose, made her bed and went to the backyard well to finish her morning routine. 20 minutes later, she was all ready to visit her old friend Lord Krishna. It was a 85 year old friendship which never got comprised because of family obligations and responsibilities. Be it the scorching Chithra Pournami celebrations, the windy Aashada month of Devi puja, Sharada Navarathri or the chilly Margashira early morning Bhajan, she gave a full attendance.
Other than Dear Kanna, a loving name for Lord Krishna that a young Meenakshi gave, cooking, handicrafts, feeding poor children and stray animals and birds, giving tuitions to poor children, her vegetable garden in the backyard and the herbs and flower gardens in the front porch fuelled her passion.
After her children two daughters and two sons settled in different parts of the globe, she refused to visit them, for it pained her heart to leave her Kanna even for a moment. She also successfully resisted their futile attempts to get her acquainted with the very trendy cellphone and social networking connections. <br>
It was a dull Sunday which suddenly became dark with clouds hovering overhead and a strong wind that turned into a howling storm. By evening, there was a huge downpour washing down the streets of Krishnapuram. The rain god danced all night.
The next morning Meenakshi Amma woke up, she had a hard time fighting her tears. Her flower garden was consumed by the hungry rains. The jasmine vine, rose patch, Tulsi all gone. She painfully looked at the empty space, sat like a stone there crying a river. Her neighbour and old friend Bhagyam, sarcastically commented, "Well this is what we get for months of hardwork." "Well! What was your Kanna doing?" Meenakshi Amma looked at Bhagyam through her tears, but said nothing.
The next few days a busy Meenakshi cleaned up the house and surroundings for her children and grandchildren's arrival. She prepared their favourite dishes, bought some dresses and fancy jewellery pieces for her daughters-in-law and granddaughters. She forgot completely about the garden.
The first few days were spent in greeting one another, sharing information during meals. The gifts were happily accepted. A few days later Meenakshi Amma looked longingly at her garden and got busy rebuilding it. Bhagyam was surprised and couldn't stop commenting, "Oh my Lord, she's at it again." She told Meenakshi's children, "She's obsessed with her garden. She needs some change. Have you ever thought of taking her with you?
Meenakshi Amma looked at her, with compassion and spoke, "The storms may recur, may or may not destroy my hardwork. It strikes regularly, without fail. YES! it does break my heart. But, when it can't stop trying its destruction on my garden, how can I not stop trying creating what I love? Let it try its best and let me try my best.
There was a deep silence as Meenakshi busily tended to her blooming buds. Everyone understood. Yes there will be ups and downs, destroy our peace of mind, shake our balance. We must grieve, but must never give up standing up again.
For my grieving family 18.01.2016
Meenakshi Amma quickly arose, made her bed and went to the backyard well to finish her morning routine. 20 minutes later, she was all ready to visit her old friend Lord Krishna. It was a 85 year old friendship which never got comprised because of family obligations and responsibilities. Be it the scorching Chithra Pournami celebrations, the windy Aashada month of Devi puja, Sharada Navarathri or the chilly Margashira early morning Bhajan, she gave a full attendance.
Other than Dear Kanna, a loving name for Lord Krishna that a young Meenakshi gave, cooking, handicrafts, feeding poor children and stray animals and birds, giving tuitions to poor children, her vegetable garden in the backyard and the herbs and flower gardens in the front porch fuelled her passion.
After her children two daughters and two sons settled in different parts of the globe, she refused to visit them, for it pained her heart to leave her Kanna even for a moment. She also successfully resisted their futile attempts to get her acquainted with the very trendy cellphone and social networking connections. <br>
It was a dull Sunday which suddenly became dark with clouds hovering overhead and a strong wind that turned into a howling storm. By evening, there was a huge downpour washing down the streets of Krishnapuram. The rain god danced all night.
The next morning Meenakshi Amma woke up, she had a hard time fighting her tears. Her flower garden was consumed by the hungry rains. The jasmine vine, rose patch, Tulsi all gone. She painfully looked at the empty space, sat like a stone there crying a river. Her neighbour and old friend Bhagyam, sarcastically commented, "Well this is what we get for months of hardwork." "Well! What was your Kanna doing?" Meenakshi Amma looked at Bhagyam through her tears, but said nothing.
The next few days a busy Meenakshi cleaned up the house and surroundings for her children and grandchildren's arrival. She prepared their favourite dishes, bought some dresses and fancy jewellery pieces for her daughters-in-law and granddaughters. She forgot completely about the garden.
The first few days were spent in greeting one another, sharing information during meals. The gifts were happily accepted. A few days later Meenakshi Amma looked longingly at her garden and got busy rebuilding it. Bhagyam was surprised and couldn't stop commenting, "Oh my Lord, she's at it again." She told Meenakshi's children, "She's obsessed with her garden. She needs some change. Have you ever thought of taking her with you?
Meenakshi Amma looked at her, with compassion and spoke, "The storms may recur, may or may not destroy my hardwork. It strikes regularly, without fail. YES! it does break my heart. But, when it can't stop trying its destruction on my garden, how can I not stop trying creating what I love? Let it try its best and let me try my best.
There was a deep silence as Meenakshi busily tended to her blooming buds. Everyone understood. Yes there will be ups and downs, destroy our peace of mind, shake our balance. We must grieve, but must never give up standing up again.
For my grieving family 18.01.2016
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