Memories are hard to erase and will linger in the mind till the end of one’s life. They were just two ordinary people quite unlike each other in the beginning. But with the passing of their lives together, they became almost carbon copies.
They made a handsome couple. He was doughty and fought against the odds for his family. She was fair and gentle but resolute in helping him. Together they nurtured a family of seven. He had a short fuse and showed occasional flashes of temper but she quietened his fusible nature with her gentleness. She taught her daughters the grace that went into the making of gracious characters and he brought up his sons toughened to meet the travails of life.
Soon it was time to let the children out of the nest, to face the challenges of the wide world. Their higher education was chosen with much forethought. Then came marriages for the eligible ones now qualified to earn their own bread. With much care they saw that their choices were good.
The nest was empty but retirement was not a peaceful pasture. Soon, SOS ‘s began to arrive to the quiet home. Babysitting for their grand children in different parts of India led their journeys. They were duty conscious and took up the tasks willingly. They were indispensable as long as the need lasted. What was conveniently forgotten was that these two elderly people were on their toes from nine to five, tending, caring and nurturing the little ones till their parents came home.
Back to home roots, the old man now 80 years old took up the task of building a home for a son abroad. The man was meticulous and discerning and it motivated him to search for the best. The old couple then moved into the new house and planted fruit sapling trees that would yield well long after they were gone, watering the plants at eventide. Then the son and his family came back and the old women became the general help in the homestead. Now life was full of twists and turns but they decided to weather it out.
Their society dictates prevented them from staying permanently with their daughters. So there in their room communicating with the Almighty, they kept alive interconnected relationships within the family. Then one day at 81 he developed a cardiac condition .Within a matter of days he passed into the ‘bourne from where no traveller returns’. She, now like a bird with a broken wing let her spirit go as quietly as a whisper.
They were two people like two peas in a pod. They were my parents.
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