At 95, he knew how to make each day count

How do I bid farewell to my 95-year-old grandfather, Hari Chand Aneja, who has been an integral part of my daily life for the past 22 years?

Every morning as a kid wearing my school uniform I would go to greet him at 7am. He would be shaving. He would clean the lather from his face with a towel and give me a tight hug. I would feel warm and happy and would be ready for school. I remember holding his soft and chubby hands and giving him a kiss. When I returned from school, I would wait for him to return from office. Yes, he never missed office even for a day at the age of 95.

He had an infectious smile, even during some rough patches when his health was fragile. He would wear his golf cap, don his ironed suit and shiny boots and go to office. I would help him walk, holding his warm hand. With the other hand, he held his favourite steel walking stick.

On every friendship day, I would tie him a friendship band.

My grandfather had a sharp memory. He would remember all those he met, whatever they told him and what they wore.

He loved writing and worked laboriously on the articles he wrote. He made three drafts of the article before sending it, checking every word and digit. He kept all his published articles meticulously in folders.

My grandfather had a good sense of humour and could identify well with kids like me. As a child I was bubbly. He would praise me for my dances, skits and poems.

He was a fun-loving person and would dance at every office Diwali or New Year party. He spoke to every employee and made the person feel at home.

He kept my childhood drawings carefully. Each year, I would make him a birthday card. He kept them all in neat folders. I learnt being organised from him. He was the first to wish my sister and me on our birthdays. Till his last days, he had tremendous energy despite his age. He would be ready by 7.30am, listen to the news on the radio and then head for office. He had a zest for life and wanted to join a computer class.

We thought he was a golden man and would live for over a 100 years. He was mentally alert but unfortunately the body gave up on him.

Now I find it hard to go to his room at home or his cabin in the office. I see his books, pens, spectacles, and watch kept where they used to be and a flood of memories returns.

To help senior citizens in our apartment, he built benches in the garden. Every evening, 15 senior citizens assemble there to exchange news and views. He devoted time and resources to help others through medical camps and also managed a charitable trust to pay for the education of the children of our staff.

Now, I sit on the benches he built, watching the sky and remember him.

They say in Africa when an aged person passes away, the grandchildren dance at his funeral to celebrate his life. There is no music or dance in me. I wanted my grandfather for much longer than his 95 years.

I wish I had more time with him, for there are so many lessons that our elders can impart on how to live a disciplined and productive life.

He knew how to make each day count.

MY GRANDFATHER WOULD BE READY BY 7.30AM, LISTEN TO THE NEWS ON THE RADIO AND THEN HEAD FOR OFFICE. HE HAD A ZEST FOR LIFE AND WANTED TO JOIN A COMPUTER CLASS