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Good Bye Ben!





Tuesday, 31st May 2016, at 6.10 pm, I was walking my husband’s grandfather Dada into the ICCU. We knew what was around the corner and he wanted to say bye one more time, while I wanted to be with him. Just then my husband came out and softly announced that she’s gone. Dada and I continued moving inside the ICCU, when we saw her. She was peaceful and seemed like she was in deep slumber.It was display on the monitor that conveyed a different message.

“Wait for me in Vraj (Heaven), I'll join you soon” he said touching her softly and just like that companionship of more than 6 decades ended.

'Ben' as she was lovingly addressed, was my husband’s grandmother. She lived a full 80 years and nurtured 4 generations. I had this opportunity to share few words during her prayer meeting and here is what I said, well almost because emotions said few other things.

We all lost a wonderful lady. No matter how hard I try, I can never do justice to what talk about her and her life.

I had a different perception of hers before I met her. I  was told that she was a strict lady and had fully expected her to be so with me as well. But the first time when I came home and met her, she welcomed me with a smile that was so full of warmth. Thats when I realized that all my perceptions about her could be wrong and they were so. She was nice, kind and a loving person and always very nice to me.

She spent her life nurturing and taking care of people. As a mother, a sister and a wife, all she did was, take care of people.She fulfilled her role with utmost perfection.

However my observation was that she was a very intelligent lady, she exactly knew how to get things done and how to manage tricky situations as well as people. If she had to go out in the world and work, she would easily be one of the business leaders of her times.

I used to admire her will power and determination. She had lot of health issues, since many years, almost close to 15 years. But not once did she let her health be the reason stopping her from doing what she desired.

Oh she was a fabulous cook! I didnt get many opportunities to eat the food cooked by her, but whenever I did, I can still recollect the taste of the food that she made.

And she loved feeding us. She absolutely loved it when the entire family met and would sit together to have a meal. So this Tuesday, when everyone came to say Good Bye to her,the entire family was here. Her brothers, Daughters and their families, all her grand children. When we sat for lunch  and I could visualize  her sitting by the sofa, overlooking all arrangements and making sure everyone is eating.Smiling with pleasure all the while.


We will no longer see her like that or that smile of hers, but she will always have a special part in our hearts. We love you dadi, we will never forget you, we’ll take care of each other. You were really a fabulous lady.
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