remembering juiceumma

I don't know how we coined the name juiceumma(meaning 'juice mother'). Maybe it came from the fact that she was forever making great juice and food for us. Whatever it was,  we all remember the amazing woman that my grandmother was. 

Yesterday was her death anniversary and i was really amazed to see how close to our hearts she still is and how dear she was to this family. Most of the extended family turned up for the event and all of us were talking about her warmth and care and goodness and about the amazing touch she had in her to conjure finger-licking food and to ensure that whatever was there was shared by all of us.

 This part of her really touched me always and on this day of her death anniversary i would like to remember her for the amazing way she shared whatever she had with everyone she knew.

The Juiceumma I remember was always busy in the kitchen and the home she managed ran like a buzzing airport. Uppa(grandfather) was a central minister and we would always have tons of guests for food. Most breakfasts at home were cooked for about 70 -100 people. The amazing part was that even if 200 turned up, she would ensure that they were all fed properly.

 I remember the police security assigned to Uppa arguing for duty schedules to work at our house because of juiceumma's food.  i remember people scurrying about the kitchen on her orders, and people coming in and out of the kitchen with groceries and trays of hot steaming food. and i remember licking my hands after every meal at home.( and the same goes for all who eat there).

 Juiceumma's sharing ability must have come from the amazing heart that she had. I remember bags being packed after every occasion for every member who was absent. And everyone would be sent a bag of food or delicacies that was prepared on that day. i would always wonder how she updated on who was present or absent during those hectic moments in the kitchen. She would continue her stature in the kitchen and playing the host even when she was bed-ridden by shouting orders to all who stood near. We all remember how she would hold on to a chair and amble her way to the kitchen to serve any one who came to her house with at least a cup of chai and twenty different delicacies.

 We once recieved a bag of chocolates and mangoes which she had been gifted.  Some of the chocolate bars were cut in half because she wanted everyone to get equal portions of the chocolate. It was a great feeling to know that she would remember you even if you were not around.

 Today in her absense, i understand the value of sharing and caring for everybody. I pray that we get the stength to touch people's lives in at least a small percentage of the way she did. To share and to care and to behave as human beings should. 

 Juiceumma, we salute you.