Nothing can fill the void that their ‘Grandy’ left

Dr. Ganesh Ratnam, Managing Director of Ratnam’s Hospital passed away on June 19. Talking with his two very precious granddaughters, I realized from the spontaneity of their answers that their ‘Grandy’ as they lovingly called him, was a unique treasure in their lives; likewise Dr. Ratnam considered them his two gifts, the angels who came into his life, got him through so much and continued to remain a blessing to him. Since Shreya and Ameyaa were living and schooling in the UK with their parents, the times spent with their ‘Grandy’ have now been turned into precious memories that are held close within their hearts.

They told me lots of stories about their ‘Grandy’- apparently he was a good listener, a good story-teller and, most importantly, their best friend! The game they liked best was when ‘Grandy’ used to fill a bowl with sand and hide coins in it, sometimes even gems. The little one Ameyaa told me she once found two gems and she gave them to ‘Grandy.’ Another favourite game was a treasure hunt and the prize was hidden in his room under the bed.

Shreya, the elder child has done a timeline on her ‘Grandy’ something ingenious for one so young. I was curious to know what prompted her to do that and she said it was a school project, so she chose to do her ‘Grandy’ and the two of them did it together on the phone. A remarkable job indeed!

Apparently they would call him in the mornings on their way to school. That was the tight knit closeness they shared with their ‘Grandy.’

Personally, I think they miss him more because they had no time to say goodbye. You can see that’s how it is for his whole family and all those he left behind. The shock still remains alive in everyone’s minds. The passage of time may dull the ache in their little hearts but nothing can fill the void that ‘Grandy’ left.

Our minds still talk to you dear Doctor, our hearts still look for you, our souls know you are at peace!

Karen