My Dil Ki Deal with my Grandmother on her birthday
My Dil Ki Deal with my Grandmother on her birthday
My maternal Grandmother
whom I fondly call Nanz {my version of Nani :-)} is a really difficult person to please. She does not like the usual gifts and
when the time for her birthday approaches all of us really try our hardest to
find something out of the box to light up her face.
She is a
very simple, down to earth person who doesn't like to be fussed over. She will prefer handmade gifts like cards, embroidered
handkerchiefs and anything you’ve put your heart into making for her, even if it’s
picking a flower from the garden. About 3-4
years ago, I planned a surprise visit on her birthday (since I stayed away from
my family) and instructed my brother dear to help in making her birthday extra
special with a very special and innovative gift. Being an instant poet, I wrote down a rhyme
for her and asked brother dear to get it printed and framed with a photograph
of me and Nanz.
Her
happiness knew no bounds when I walked into her room that day. She said that,
just my being with her on her birthday was the most special present ever! When I
asked her to open her present she fussed as usual. “I don’t need any more suits,
shawls or books. I have everything. I don’t need anything!” After much
emotional atyachaar, I finally managed to convince her. When she saw what her gift was; my poem and
our photograph framed she jumped up to hug me in a tight embrace and read each
every single word kissing both me and the frame. She showed my gift to every person who came to wish her that day and afterward reading it out to them.
Last year my
dearest Nanz was diagnosed with Dementia. She is slowly becoming more and more
confused and cannot tell day from night along with a host of other dementia related
problems. When my brother visited her on Holi this year, she confused him for
my cousin but later recollected, wondering why she had been confused in the
first place. It’s really heartbreaking
to see someone who could remember all the phone numbers in the phonebook from
memory and who was the resident Dr. Fix It have difficulty in recalling her
last meal. The person who held my mother’s hand and taught her to paint as a
child now needs help in recognizing which color to color the sun with. All of
us constantly pray and hope for her good health.
She is the
most special person in my life and I’m her most favored grandchild. My eyes are
already wet writing this but what I want to say by means of this post is that; just
a small, simple gesture can make another person extremely happy and always think
of that happy moment. So never fail to express your kindness and love at every
opportunity. The reward in terms of the other person’s happiness will be
unmatched forever.
The poem I
wrote for her is below accompanied by a photograph of both of us.
My dearest
darling sweetie pie Nanz
You are the
super coolest gran
and I am
forever your ardent fan
Your sense
of humor is simply fab
You really
know how to turn a moment into fun from dull and drab
You keep me
grounded and down to earth
And have
taught me how to respect everything's worth
From you I
learnt always to wear a smile
Even if I
have to walk shoeless for countless miles
You taught
me how to keep a level head
Pursue my
goals and forge ahead
Your
emphasis on hard work has always stayed
Which is why
every challenge I happily embrace
Even in the
face of adversity
You radiate
so much positive energy
That
adversity says I picked the wrong one
And takes an
about turn coz you leave it with no choice but to run
From you I
learnt how to be grateful
Count my
blessings and be joyful
Your knack
for fixing things has me amazed
Our prayer
machine is always unfazed
Where do you
get so much patience from?
Never on
your face have I seen a frown!
I simply
love your silver grey hair
You spoil
everyone with your incessant care
You never
objected to my endearment nanzy-noodles
I'll love
you forever oodles and oodles and oodles...
So happy
birthday dearest Nani
Jo hain
sabsey sayani, gyyani and from who I learnt how to do maan maani
Lovely! :) Nanis are super special! :)
ReplyDeleteYes they truly are!!! So glad you liked it :-) :-) :-)
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