Age Old Memories...

If God ever asks me which is that One magical thing that I want from Harry Potter series to be real, I

would invariably pick, "The Pensieve". One can pull out memories from one's mind and pour them into The Pensieve which is basically a Magical Basin. Anyone who wishes to access them can let the memories suck them in and they will find themselves in the actual scene that the memories hold. They can see and hear all of what took place during that time, sure they can't participate or make changes, for what is gone is gone. {Well, this is what I like about J.K.Rowling, she might imagine a whole new magical world where magic can work wonders but she never NEVER lets magic to change life's essential principles and virtues.} The best thing- The Pensieve can be passed on, generation after generation.

But then I think we all have a Pensieve in our minds, only that its not a clear cut object. Today I am letting you into our 'Family Pensieve' {Yea, I want it to sound like the Family Doctor ;)}. Into a set of very special memories of very special people. And, I Am With You In It.

I see my grandmother clad in a simple saree, carrying  a tea tray. I see her serving tea to my grandfather. He manages to steal a glance at her while she stood too close to him. Then as she moves away, and starts talking to his family, he secretly looks at her from head to toe. 

I see them sitting clueless under the pandal, with a booming crowd of their parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, neighbors, and even strangers around them. My grandmother looks stunningly beautiful with a dash of Kohl along the bases of her eyes and with her long, black, braided tresses falling far beneath her shoulders. My grandfather somehow manages to tie the mangalsutra around grandmother's neck, among the chaos, taking cues from the instructing, contradicting, confusing set of elders.

 I see them getting to know each other slowly, day by day. I see my grandfather courting his wife, singing flattering songs, praising her beauty. After months, I see her joyously carrying my mother in her womb, my grandfather constantly fretting about his wife and their growing baby. I see him overtly caring for her, sometimes scolding her when she acts careless.

I see them cooing at their first baby, my mother. I see them bringing her up with love, all the while enjoying every stage with infinite joy.

 I see my mother- a toddler, looking at her younger baby sister with awe. 

I see all four of them walking towards the nearby Raja Rajeshwara Temple. My grand mother sternly commands my mother and my aunt to come down as they play on the branches of the tree that even today stands  at the same spot on the front yard of the temple-- like an old man who has seen it all. 

I see all three of the kids, my mother and my two aunts running from my grandfather. I see him chasing them and aiming baby coconuts at them, :) for some mischief that they have evidently made. [:D]

I see my grandfather extremely excited at the birth of his much prayed-for-baby boy. I see him pampering my uncle as he grows.

I see my grandmother tirelessly juggle her many responsibilities. I see her caring for her aged mother, helping her have her food, her pills, cleaning her body now and then etc. I see her tending to the needs of her husband and children, serving them fresh food for every meal, getting them ready for work/school, doing every day household chores, I see her go to work as an auditor-by walk, by boat, by bus, not caring if the weather is rainy or humid or sunny.

I see my grandparents saving every penny for their family, forgoing life's many enjoyments. I don't see them travelling for leisure, going for movies on weekends, eating out, or even buying a vehicle. And those pennies?--they have made way into all our lives for three generations, buying us essentials as well as luxuries. No they weren't millionaires, they were just two people who worked hard, spent less and saved more. Today all they have is an old house, and a small temple, our Kaavu; to lean on and call them their own 'property'.   

I see my grandparents smile with pride while they saw each of their children pass out of college. I see them turning the pages of their daughters's wedding albums with a twinkle in their eyes.

I see the youth come back on their faces while they played with their grand children- US.

I see and feel my grandmother's soft and gentle fingers running through my hair as she plaited them. She refuses to tie the ends with a band, walks to an old trunk and tears out a string from one of her old sarees that was stored in it. She does the same for my cousin sisters and when she does, I can't help but wish for another turn.

I see my grandfather walking to my bed in the darkness with a torch in one hand and a tin of Vicks Vaporub in the other because he just heard me cough. I smile when I realize that I had coughed reflexively out of the blue, for no particular reason.

I see him at the gate, walking home with two big bags full of grocery. He looks like a true, strong family man. He has the expression of an arrogant, angry young man.

I see him through the window of a train, running and waving at us, never letting a tinge of emotion escape.

I see my grandmother in full action in the kitchen. I see her standing in our temple for hours as she on-looked the rituals and prayed- invariably for US. :)

 

Overwhelmed, I come out of The Pensieve...

 I look back at our recent stays with them.

I see my other wise early to rise, early to bathe, early to pray- grand parents, waking up long after sunrise. I see them praying from their home, visiting our temple only, once in a while. I see them having pills of all colors after a meal, only grandfather knows which ones. Grandma doesn't have a clue of what she takes and when. I wonder if its a secret treaty between them,  "I stay because only you know my pills". "I stay because you need me to give you your pills." I see them bickering with each other like kids. I seldom see my grandmother in the kitchen, she is no longer allowed there. Instead she sits at the dining table like a child waiting for food to arrive. 

And the most heart wrenching scene that I recall--- is of my once strong, steadfast, manly grand dad holding my husband's hands, crying softly like he was a helpless baby. Tears rolling down,he then gestures my husband to bend down, only to hold out his hands in blessings. When someone blesses you like that, it gives you the strength and the faith that Nothing can harm us and that we are Ever protected. I see my grand ma's still-so-soft hands hold mine and kiss them. 

I love you Ammamma and Appoopaa ...Right now, I fail at phrasing my overflowing emotions for you two, but I say this much---May that Supreme Power that you have been worshiping and serving for years, look after you with love as it always have. 

As I sit here, many more such sweet memories unfold in my minds eye. But you know what, may be I should let them be there. Not all memories need to be poured out. Its nice to have some, just for ourselves.

Thus God has indeed given all of us our Pensieves ... I just saw my grandparents' lives so far,through my own experiences woven with the stories that I have heard from them as well as from my mother, my aunts, my uncle. The photographs gave the characters a face. All these when shared gives us the power to see the scenes they hold. And the best part?---They can be passed on... :)