Dear Thatha...

My paternal grandfather

When I heard the news on the 2nd January that you have been taken to the hospital due to chest pain, I wasn't majorly worried. Deep in my heart I knew that you would somehow make it back home like you always have in the past. Little did I know you were tired of fighting...
On the last day(19th of January) when I saw you at the hospital, you couldn't speak, you had absolutely no energy... yet you were smiling, you solved complex math problems and watched cricket. A funny incident comes to my mind as I think back to that day at the hospital..I remember there was a door mat outside the bathroom which wasn't kept properly. You called me, kept pointing that way and I could not for the life of me understand what you were trying to convey. Ammai came to my rescue and said "He wants us to put it in its proper place". And you know,that did not surprise me. You were always a very very systematic and organized person. You kept cleaning up after folks at home, you arranged and rearranged book shelves, you ate your meals at the correct times, you rarely ate out, you never missed your evening walks at the beach.. Gosh I could go on and on. You probably inherited this from your mother(Paati).. you were such a good son to her.

The evergreen couple

You were also a very caring husband... The day of your funeral, the 21st of January also happened to be your wedding anniversary. I am most worried about Ammai. You were so protective of her, you literally held her hand through all these years and she looks so lost without you. I'm afraid she will never be the same person in your absence. But I am glad that she has sons and daughters in law to look after her. They all looked up to you so much and are all hurting inside because you were a very loving father. Proud of all 4 of them too. I'm glad they have inherited good qualities from you.

Brothers! 

Daughters in law! 

As for me, I knew you best as a fun loving grandfather. I couldn't have asked for someone better. I've lived with you as a baby, I've lived with you as a school going kid and I lived with you again while I worked 2 years ago. Things were the same.. You would knock on the door, wake me up, scold me(very gently!) about waking up late, ask me to bathe and pray and get on with my day... I loved all the pampering even as a 25 year old ;-) You had unbelievable patience Thatha.. Nobody could have taught me math/accounts problems as patiently as you did! You were so active till the end.. You wanted to learn how to email, you wanted a Facebook account, you kept wanting to learn and that is so amazing!! Kudos to you.

Happy Days

 I'm happy for you in a lot of ways...thanks to your children, you could visit other countries.. I shall cherish all the lovely memories of our US trip, you had a grand 80th birthday, you took an active part at my wedding(I will always remember how you fished out a suit at the last minute to wear at my reception since it was part of our dress code, such a sport you were!), you witnessed Vishal's poonal function so proudly and most importantly did not suffer too much in your last days. It felt very strange being in your room last night. I could sense your presence all around.. your cell phone, your glasses, everything reminded me of you.. I know you're always going to be around in spirit to guide us. I know you were tired of fighting to live and that's perfectly ok. I'm happy you're in a much happier place. Sleep well dearest Thatha. Love you very much and thanks for all that you've done for us.
Aishu
PS Leaving you with a few family pictures :) 

My going away party, August 2006

He loved family get togethers as is evident from his big smile - 2007 

With a very goofy Thatha at the Niagara :) - May 2008

At the temple in our hometown in Palakkad, Kerala. A trip which I missed out on - Aug 2010

A big gang at Vishal's Poonal function - June 2011

Tagging myself!

1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before? 

I managed to keep a “Golu” at home

I traveled to a place I’ve been dreaming of visiting since I was a teen.

Attended a Tam Brahm wedding in Goa!

Watched a beautiful sunset with my hubby. So romantic. 

2.Did you keep your new years resolutions, and will you make more for next?

Can’t remember having made any resolutions. I know I’m too lazy to keep them.

3. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? 

May 29^th 2012 – It’s not every day you get to celebrate your 1^st wedding anniversary J

 4. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I made my family dance to a 2 minute Tamil song at my cousin’s wedding! It was exhausting, let me tell u!

. 5. What was your biggest failure?

Being irregular with my workouts! I am bone lazy, my husband will vouch for that. However, this year was extra bad – could never manage to consistently follow a routine.

6. Did you suffer illness?

I wouldn’t term it as an illness per se; however I do suffer from PCOD. Which means I need to watch what I eat and stay healthy, which is probably why I term #  5 as my biggest failure.

7. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed? 

Appalled – our so called rulers of the country. They disgust me. Period!

Depressed - My MIL’s – because of the way she wants to give up on life so easily. I want her to become that strong woman that I have known her to be. I pray for her each day so that she bounces back to life quickly.

8. Where did most of your money go?
Vacations – We did quite a few trips last year. Even though most of them were in and around the South, each trip cost us money in terms of fuel costs, eating out, accommodation in nice places etc.

9. What did you get really, really, really excited about? 

Sne and Dee’s wedding. Our trip to France.

10. What song will always remind you of 2012?

“Oh Baby Girl” from the movie Malaipozhuthin Mayakathile. Will always remember dancing away at Pasha with Mosh and Sne.

11. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder?

Sadder – that my smoothened hair has worn out and looks like crap. The problems people have, I tell u :P 

Ok I’m kidding. I don’t know if I am happi(er), but I’m definitely happy at the moment.

12. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Working out. Being more organized. Listening to my husband. Cooking yummy dishes. Keeping in touch with friends.

13. What do you wish you’d done less of? 

Procrastinate. Eating out so much. Being so lazy.

14. Did you fall in love in 2012?

Yes! With my bestie’s baby girl, Rafa. She is absolutely adorable!!

15. What/Who was your greatest musical discovery?

Listening to Kadri Gopalnath’s saxophone during the Margazhi season. I have never sat through an instrumental concert and I’m glad I did. He was brilliant.

On the other extreme, I loved “Gangnam Style” by PSY! J

16. What did you want and get?

I wanted a holiday in France, which I got all thanks to my hubby.

17. What did you want and not get?

My extended family coming together. A new job. Flat abs(who am I kidding!). Smooth, shiny, straight hair.

18. What was your favourite film of this year?

2 movies stand out – English Vinglish and Pizza. Former coz it was such a simple story and one of those movies u can watch with family. The latter because I love horror and mystery and ghosts(even though I’m s#i% scared of them) and this one was brilliant! So good that we screamed in the theatre!

19. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

Was very special! Read this for all details – I turned 27.

20. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Getting that perfect, kick ass job cos I feel like I’ve made zero progress with my career.

21. What kept you sane?

Blogging. Reading about others lives and what they go through made my life seem so much less complicated.

22. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.

That family is most important. Come what may, learn to stick it out. Accept and respect each other and not give up. Most importantly, be there for each other always! Gosh, I sound like a Kjo movie! :P

23. Which new places did you visit in 2012? 

Rameshwaram. Dhanushkodi. Paris. Normandy.

24. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Main Pareshaan, Pareshaan from Ishaqzaade coz I spent most of my year worrying about my job!

25. Tag some bloggers you would love to read these answers from.
Tagging my bestie, coz I know she is as jobless as I am and would love to see her write! 

A bad start

I'm sorry. I should have waited and posted something bright and cheery as my first post for 2013. However that pretty much sums up how these couple of weeks have been. Stressful. First, Thatha fell sick. Like "we didn't know if he was going to make it" kinda sick. In fact, K was the only soul who kept telling me to keep the faith. And believe it or not, he was right. There was a turnaround. Touchwood. Praying for his recovery. 

Next, I hear Keith fell sick. You know how close I am to the Haseltines and I was shocked to hear he had a heart attack. Not good. He is stable and doing better but its been a wake up call in terms of the lifestyle changes they have to make etc. Depressing. My bestie has been going through some real crap. I wish things would improve for her. So is my MIL. I pray for her to bounce back to life, just like how I have seen her in 2010. She is going through a lot. I don't know how much more she can handle. I wish I can help.. not sure how though. I hear K's good friend's father is also very very sick, he visited him yesterday. Dunno if he will survive. K's best friend is also sick. He had a surgery last week, thankfully is recovering well and is back home now. So as you can see, I've heard of so many people being sick. Too many hospital visits between K and me. Enough. Its been super stressful just hearing so many people going through health issues. Can good health prevail for all please?