How Prepared We Feel For The Last Breathe

I am blessed to be grown amongst laughter and fun with cousins, discipline and teachings from elders, guidance and support from elder uncles while enjoying each and every moment spent in summer holidays with our grandparents and it was the happiest time of our lives as otherwise we would spread our wings to different places and await eagerly for the summer holidays!

We would listen to the stories behind every Fasting done by our Nanima. She was dusky and beautiful with a grace on her face full of spirituality when she would perform everyday Pooja rituals and give us Prasad. It was a pleasure to relish the Prasad given by her.. We cousins would play and if some disputes turned into arguments the smart one would run to Nanaji lap when he would be performing Pooja none can dare go near him and the one who could get on his lap in trouble would be saved!

We know one day our grandparents would leave us but when they departed as destined our hearts refused to accept the reality shared in so many stories by nanima because of the love and bonding we felt like it would be lasting eternally.

Now after I became a grandmother I decided to try the different recipes of my grandmother who was adept in pickles of multiple flavors with same mango and lemon. Spicy, sweetish, whole mango and lemon and cut into pieces. She would similarly make Papad of different varieties I still wonder her capabilities to do so much of work without even saying she felt tired. In those days women were bankers, chefs, guide, mentors, parent and do their multiple roles so efficiently. Also she used to give free medicines to poor people from the village. I wish I could keep her lifelong with me. I am cherishing her memories and trying to make pickles in her sweet memories. 

After my grandparents death I was shattered as the permanent residence was closed down in summer holidays and the meetings with cousins came to an end abruptly. I grew up and started to work then marriage and then never could visit again like earlier. One fateful day my father bid adieu to us suddenly and then only mother was left, different from her regular nature, she involved herself in Yoga and Meditation and spent more time with kids in surrounding areas. Meantime I had 3 children and added responsibilities kept me tightly engaged other than 2 yrs once I could visit her and spend some days, no occasion to be with mother for longer time as children were studying and I could take a week break maximum. In COVID time mother also bid adieu silently in her afternoon sleep. Unfortunately I could not see her as it was quarantine time and none was allowed. Now we brother and sisters are scattered here and there, meeting after yrs on some occasions. Life changes it's meaning and roles quickly. 

As I used to worry about my parents my children are concerned about my well being and I smile recalling my olden days. Life comes to an end for everyone but few are blessed to be remembered even after decades and few are forgotten even when alive.

Be Prepared for the last day and train yourself to have a detachment with materialistic lifestyle. Spiritual activities bring peace and calmness which helps us in balancing our own life advancing towards eternal peace. As our elders said we need to focus on life after death when we are ageing and grace our departure with a calm mind.