A long, uncertain vacation is finally coming to a close... I feel completely nonchalant about it. There's this inherent sense of restlessness but I knew it was coming and I'm ready to start the next phase of my life. The vacation was not very dull but not very exciting either. It was a mixture of boredom and excitement and so, on the whole it was totally balanced.
The vacation was an overdose of sorts.. Because I never had a schedule and I was exposed to a lot of domestic affairs or if you can put it a bit more straight, to the realities of daily life. Life has become a mechanical sequence of events. Almost everyone wakes up, gets ready and makes haste to reach their workplace and when they get back home, the day's over.
I really envy the way of life, that my grandparents had. They never got to see the "big bills" all the time, or they didn't feel the need to keep achieving something all the time. But they lived a peaceful life. People mattered more in their times as compared to the importance given to money these days. People lived in harmony with each other, families shared their joys and sorrows and they all found happiness in being united. They never had to think of crooked ways to achieve ends and everyone had the strong will to face difficulties, however big. They took interest in the welfare of their families as a whole. They weren't much educated but humanity abounded in their hearts. There was a sense of togetherness, simplicity and straight-forwardness.
My grandmother has a huge train of 25 first cousins in her maternal side. Its difficult to even remember their names all at once. But they still care for each other, even when all of them are apart. Its really amusing when they all gather together and refer to me as the great-grand daughter of their so and so aunt!! And trying to find your exact position in the family tree is almost a puzzle. The first time you are told what's the blood relation with someone you are meeting up, you can be more than sure that your head will spin as if you just came out from a high thrill ride in a theme park.
When such a rapport is shared between people, you find the atmosphere overwhelming. They all come together to lend a shoulder, whether its a wedding or a funeral. They deem their presence more important than their travelling expenses, or their chores. To be there for each other through thick and thin, is something our grandparents exemplify all the time.I'm sure each one of you can observe this when you talk to your grandparents..
And the knowledge they possess is unparalleled. My grandmother never went to a school. But she's an expert in embroidery and can tell you tables in mathematics that are mind blowing. For eg: she can tell you the multiples of 1/4 or 3/4. And my grandfather knows almost entire Tamil Nadu by heart. Go to a place, and he'll be able to tell you the exact distance of the nearest city in miles, the short cuts from one city to another. Because he had been to all these places by foot. I won't be surprised if he would tell a differently looking tree for a landmark and luckily for him, things haven't changed much in the southern districts in the last few decades!!
I often get to hear the story of my great grandmother who brought up her children as well as her grandchildren saving every penny she had. She never went to school nor was financially resourceful but she instilled such good thoughts and mental strength in her grandchildren,that they have all come up well, facing all odds. My parents' generation still bring out that mental strength which was once sowed by their grandparents. I don't think we've ever learnt all that. Grandparents may not bequeath their property to us but they pass on all those qualities that you need, to live your life well.
People! Never ever underestimate your grandparents. They may have archaic ideology but they always hold goodwill in their hearts. They are old-fashioned because they are not accustomed to the kind of dynamics that we see everyday. They are people who want to be original and who want to stick to the huge line of traditions that have been coming up since centuries. But they always worry about your welfare , your safety and your life. Never forsake them. They can be such a source of strength when you need all of it. Make them talk about their olden days and you can then get a gist of their wide experience and wisdom. A kind word now and then and Care is all they need; make sure that as grandchildren, you don't deprive them of that joy!!
This is not being preachy but just an attempt to bring in an insight about what we're missing in the name of being trendy or " abreast with the changing times".
And to give a fitting end to this tribute, Salutations to the grand old people of our times!
