Today I dedicate my feelings to my dear younger brother Arun and his wife my little sister Anitha.
2 Naval Architects, self-made, smart, industrious, brilliant, forthright, unpardonably honest, nature loving, creative, no nonsense, outspoken, extremely talented, loving, caring, selfless Indians. Proud parents of a brilliant laid back Son Anoop, doing his PHD in France, from IIT Madras, with brilliant academic achievements and scholarships.
Arun is the son of my Amma’s older brother, Pappachachen, and his lovable kind, soft-spoken wife Ponnammamma true to every sense of the word, real golden, both were my parents’ favorites.
Smitha’s (Living in US with husband Tony and 2 adorable daughters Anju and Diya) father had an insurmountable health problem, had to undergo radiation and chemotherapy on a daily basis, and is returning to Chengannur, after 6 weeks from their home stay at Alwaye.
Arun and Anitha have proven to all of us, opportunity to serve and be happy is given to everyone, very few grab them and be content. They decided to take up the challenge to board and lodge Smitha’s parents without an iota of apprehension. This one act relieved many lives in many homes.
One act of sacrifice, love and courage has proven how a dangerous life threatening disease could be contained with human touch. The 4 became inseparable; they progressed in the last 6 weeks to a different level in their life. They became a team like the Cheetukali Sangham (Team playing Cards) as told by Pappachachen.
Systems were in place, food on time, fruits from the garden and market on schedule, heated discussions on Chengannur election at every meal, prayer before every meal and especially in the evening without fail, gardening as a therapy, sharing house work without force, there is a lot of joy and comfort when people you live with, accommodate each other and participate without being asked to, we say in Malayalam അറിഞ്ഞു ചെയ്യുക.
The couple got so deeply engaged in the systems, they hardly had any time for their daughter in US who tried to run their life as she did before. Surprisingly they never missed their home in Chengannur, they never talked about their home, the compound, the normal hue and cry they made when they were in the hospital earlier, about missing their home.
They reinvented the joy of sharing Hindi and the spiky fruit, the best health fruit of Kerala “Jack fruit” our simple Chakka, they shared life’s best moments, walking through the vegetable garden and choosing the days yield, from spinach to string beans etc. and feasting on Chena, Vazhakka , Koombu, Koorga, Chakka Kuru (Yam, Raw Banana, Banana Flower, Chinese Potato, Jack Fruit Nut).
Soon the 2 ladies started caring so much for each other; Anitha would get a call from the hospital, asking her to use the cut vegetable on the kitchen table and instruction to dry her thick hair after her bath. Lately they left the men behind and went on a shopping spree to Lulu, wonder whether Smitha’s Mother found the recycling bins she is keen on sourcing before getting back to Puthencavu, Chengannur.
I am sure this will be a great feat in that part of the world when they return home. Life’s best lessons learnt in 6 weeks, she will be showing everyone who would be visiting them, how to recycle and separate waste; turning sustainable and green. She is keen to start a roof garden for home grown vegetable, though Smitha has advised her to be careful climbing up …..
The whole 6 weeks has turned the lives of many people, like a very happy movie, Thanks to Pappachachen and Ponnammamma who were happy to share their Son and Daughter (in law), who took voluntary retirement to serve their parents, Thanks to Smitha’s parents who appreciated the love and care of Arun and Anitha and enjoyed their stay participating in the day today life of the lovely couple.
Thanks to Arun and Anitha who believed in me and took care of the lovely couple, whom I have never met in my life, who needed love and care to conquer destructive cells and proved there’s nothing people cannot do if we open our soul and arms.
I am so happy for all of them, ultimately language, food, love, care, selfless service brings an end to all destructive forces. All we need is to open our heart and soul, mind and thoughts and take the best opportunity that come our way to support others within our means, without looking at the return; then the joy is unlimited.
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