My grandmother - Amma

Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just you all day and now the day was complete.  ~Marcy DeMaree

I read these lines in a quote and realised how true it is when I remember Amma. Its now two years since she's gone leaving a huge space in our lives. she died in my arms in a very peaceful way. 

when i think of amma, i remember how much care she took "not to be a trouble for anyone". she had left behind a sum of money to even take care of the expenses of her death ceremonies. a fiercely independent person, she was the third wife to my grandfather. he died when her children were just a few years old. 

she took matters in to her own hands, ensured that all her three daughters were sent to boardings and given the finest education while she saved every penny she had to  give them a wonderful life with the maximum security.

i remember going to visit her at erumely in the village where she was living alone. she would be waiting at the verandah above the gate and i am sure that she must have been there waiting for us for hours. holidays at erumely were special, with lots of fun and amazing food and all the love that amma would shower on us. the goodbyes were always sad. she would hand us some pocket money, a lot of advise on saving and spending wisely and a promise to come back whenever we could.

its not easy to live life by her standards. even at the age of 60 i remember her washing her own clothes, sweeping her front yard free of all leaves, maintaining her garden, managing the accounts of the plantations and yet relaxed, peaceful and smiling.

i miss you amma. i remember your words and the promises i made. i pass on the stories you told me to my daughter zahibaa and son zohrab and keep telling them to know what a fine lady you were and the strength you had to live life on your terms even when you died.

i will always love you and cherish the memories you gave us. you are in my heart always.