Four generations in one frame, priceless!
It’s been a while, two years to be precise. I was longing to visit my naanke (maternal grandparents’ place) to revive memories, rejuvenate and rekindle family ties. So, off we drove to Punjab.
Meeting nanaji right at the entrance lightened many a burden from the heart. Hugging him, his scent refreshed many memories. It’s difficult to miss the gleam in his eyes when he proudly shows visitors his grandchildren’s artworks. The summer vacation afternoons spent playing chauparh with cousins. Mamaji animatedly discussing politics and constantly catering to everyone’s taste buds. Indeed, there are some things money can’t buy.
Life will always be a rollercoaster. Office, children, school, homework, tutions, bills, laundry, grocery… the list is endless. But opportunities to revive ourselves, whether or not present in abundance, have to be grasped with both hands, and eagerly executed.
But some of these opportunities have to be created.Visiting extended family is one such step. But as soon as one thinks about it, a banner pops up in the mind, with ‘time constraints’ in large fonts.
Time, again, has to be created. Since visiting relatives is not on our to-do list, we don’t prioritise it. An inclination, once prioritised, will automatically get translated into action. So, in our busy, whirlwind lives, let’s keep visiting people on the agenda.
I recently read this touching line while surfing the internet:‘Yeh toh parindon ki masoomiyat hai, warna doosron ke ghar ab aata jaata kaun hai’. We need to introduce the same innocence, the same effervescence, and the same people-affinity, that we had in our childhood, into our adult life. Making time for loved ones and including those located far-off can start a ripple effect. Also, there are aged and people with special needs, who can’t manage to travel. Let’s put a smile on their faces.
Hearing our parents’ childhood stories from the grandparents, soaking in tales of their naughty and vivacious personalities is such a welcome break from their busy and occupied present personas. Further, watching your own kids running around the same places where you used to play hide and seek replenishes the soul. It’s an icing on the cake when your eight-year-old son, his eyes wide open, enquires if you really painted a particular canvas adorning the lobby’s main wall. It’s blissful when the adorable pup turned dog licks your grandfather’s hands, jumps excitedly upon seeing your mother, wags the tail sitting beside you, and plays ball with your son. Four generations in one frame, priceless.
The elderly of the family are like temples of love and guidance. They have a never-ending reservoir of wisdom which we can benefit from. Our youngsters need such opportunities to learn but it’s in our hands to present them the chances. Let the little ones know how soothing it can be to bask in their company, let them fetch their greatgrandfather’s walking stick, let them read from the newspaper to him or help him with the smartphone, too.
Finally, you think of naniji, who’s left for her heavenly abode, and go to see how the bougainvillea planted by her is doing. It’s an absolute pleasure to see it blossoming majestically. A prayer comes to mind, “May all my brethren stay in touch and bloom the way these flowers are.” Visiting Punjab, after all, was just one day. But the battery got recharged for many more days. Though, as always, yeh dil maange more.
OPPORTUNITIES TO REVIVE OURSELVES HAVE TO BE GRASPED WITH BOTH HANDS AND EAGERLY EXECUTED