I saw a video from British Airways that reminded me of my Grandmother who believed that life was all about forming deep bonds fuelled by love and mutual respect. She was amazing, touching lives in a significant and positive way, wherever she went.
My Grandmother is always remembered as one of the most hospitable and generous persons, ever. Growing up in our family home, I have fond memories of a house that was always full with family members and houseguests. Whenever a relative visited our city, Mumbai, it was taken for granted we would host them.
If their children were admitted into a course, they’d stay with us. If they got jobs in Mumbai, our home would be their home until they found a place of their own. If someone in the family was expecting a baby, my Grandma would readily volunteer to look after her and nurse her back to health. No one ever visited us and left without a meal, or two. Her big heart and serene demeanour touched lives outside the family as well, and she was always keen to help people in our area.
One of my most heart-warming memories of that time revolves around my school, the same Catholic school that my Mom and her cousins had studied in. I even had the same teachers who taught her. Interestingly, when I started school, Mom got a job there. Naturally, the teachers were already old friends by now. Since we lived close by, for any emergency, our house was the go-to place. My Grandma was the one with the answers. When someone fell sick, they rushed to our house. If they got hurt, they came home. If there was an event that finished late, they stayed over at our place. If they had a party at home, my Grandma would share the cooking and pack goodies to take to their place.
I remember, for my birthday, all these teachers would get together, buy lace, satin and other material for my special frock and sew it for me. They were all so involved in our family that the love was almost tangible. They adored my Grandma. They participated in all our festivals. When it was Christmas, they would all bring us cakes and other delicious things they had made. During Diwali, my Grandma made sure she got them new clothes.
Life went on.
When I was 8, we moved to a different city and it was a wrench to leave our loving friends, who were like extended family. However, we did meet them whenever we visited Mumbai. The following year, when my folks decided to enrol me in a boarding school, one of my teachers, the same one who had taught Mom, came forward and suggested that they choose one in Mumbai. She volunteered to be my guardian.
Obviously, my folks trusted her and went ahead with her advice. Two weeks before school was due to start, I arrived at her place. The school had given us a long list of things to prepare, that read something like this:
- A sturdy trunk with a lock and key
- 4 sets of uniforms
- 6 night dresses
- 6 frocks/dresses
- 6 chemises
- 6 underpants
- 6 handkerchiefs
- 2 towels
- One bucket and mug
- bedsheets and pillow covers – 2 sets
- 1 pair of black shoes
- 1 pair of white shoes
- 6 pairs of socks
- Tooth brush, tooth paste, soap, shampoo
- List of books
…and so on. You get the idea! My uncle wanted to stay on and shop for these, but my teacher insisted she would take care of it all. She refused to let him pay for anything.
On Saturday morning, she took me to the market to choose material for my frocks and nightdresses. We came back home, laden with our shopping. For two days, she toiled at her sewing machine to get everything ready. Before my eyes, I saw an entire wardrobe taking shape. Then her brother bought me a steel trunk with a lock and together we had fun packing.
After I joined the school, she would visit me every weekend and take me home during the holidays. Their entire family treated me like a princess.
When the academic year ended, I joined my Grandma in Hyderabad.
Over the years we kept in touch with my teacher. When I was in my twenties, she passed away.
Today my eyes are moist when I remember. The kindness, love and respect we show people always comes back to us in many forms. Visit this link to know what I mean!
In their touching #LoveIndia video, British Airways, with its 90-year history of operating flights to India, strikes a major chord in me.
#fuelledbylove is indeed the best way to live. Loving back those who love you is the most joyful thing to do!
13 comments
Hi Vidya!
Will you believe me if I were to tell you that my mother is the exact same person as your granny, and that, my mom’s home has been ‘home’ to any and everybody just like your home?! I actually remembered my home where everybody was welcomed, pampered and cherished to the T. The kind of love my mum gives people is unbelievable. And today, even at the age of 70 she is healthy and leading an active life, which I am sure is the blessing of all those lives she touched with her kindness and love.
True…love and kindness never cost a thing, but the measure in which you get it in return is incredible!
Lovely post!
Oh, and one more thing…I may not have met you, but I can vouch for the fact that you are totally like your grandmother…sweet and loving..! ?❤
Warm post about warm people….sharing and caring is what’s life is all about right? I did smile after clicking the checkbox and thanks for that 🙂
Jaishvats recently posted…Ladies Fingers and Gentlemans Toes
Gosh! Where did my first comment go? 🙁 🙁
Well, once again – I loved your post and I imagined all along with you. I never lived with a BIG family but vacations, when we visited grandparents- love was all around. Love really does back to you 🙂 Beautiful post and made me smile!
Parul recently posted…Use LinkedIn The Right Way
Great loving post, Vidya. The World goes round because of LOVE and LOVE only <3 <3 <3
This was such warm post vidya ! got emotionally involved while reading… also brought a lot of memories because, we were a family of 9 children with two grand mothers, both my mom’s and dad’ grandmothers lived with us. your grandmother sounds like my mom, every ready to reach out, very hospitable and extremely generous… thanks for bringing some lovely memories of my childhood.
G Angela recently posted…Grateful for month of February 2016
Your post reminded me of my grandmother – who was very much like yours. Lump in my throat as she’s no more in the physical world but left behind the best memories ever.
Your grandmother reminded me of mine. Brought back memories of my childhood. On another note, my very first overseas flight was on BOAC now British Airways. I was 2 years old and screamed my head off. My mom tells me the crew and passengers were very helpful.
Suzy recently posted…Guitars
Vidya!! It’s such a touching posted filled with warmth on the ones who left a mark on our lives. They may be the past but such memory continue to define our existence.
And I am so close to my grandma.. She’s such a bundle of joy.. So sweet, so innocent.. Always full of love, ready to shower all her blessings on her grandchildren! Lucky us, who’ve received such immense love from them 🙂 And the video of British Airways, it really touched me!
Cheers
Geets recently posted…Sweet Revenge
This is a nice tribute to your grandmother and your teacher. It is wonderful what you wrote.
I watched this video with Gy and she was so moved by it. Speaks volumes when a brand can reach a kid.
Your grandma sounds amazing, much like all grandmas. Sigh, I miss mine.
Shailaja recently posted…Eventful and memorable- The week that was
True. I am loving that corporate groups are consciously reaching out to the customer directly! It was a very sweet video! Grandmothers are precious 🙂 Thank you, Shailaja.
Vidya Sury recently posted…Attitude is everything