Grandma’s Saree

The summer vacations are always a time for holidaying, relaxing and meeting up with cousins. ‘Nani’ (maternal grandmother) as she was fondly called by one and all, was very happy today. Both her daughters and son were visiting along with their spouses and children. All together she had eight grandchildren and she loved them dearly. It was Nana’s (maternal grandfather) birthday. In the evening they sat beside the grand old man as he cut his 75th birthday cake, lovingly decorated with candles. One by one, the grandchildren put pieces of cake into his mouth while Nani sat elegantly beside him. She hugged and kissed all the grand children. She gave gifts to them all. She had spent a week, looking for the right toys to buy for each one of them. Nana had bought her an expensive pink chiffon saree, embroidered with sequins. She had wanted one for years; but somehow there was never enough money for a luxury like that. Finally, Grandpa had gifted one to her. She had bought him a handsome pink shirt and tie to match. They looked wonderful together.

Little Sheena plonked herself on Nani’s lap and refused to budge. Her brother Shrome, pulled her frock to make his own place in the much-coveted lap, but Sheena was not giving in. She put her arms around Nani’s neck and clung on fast. Shrome wrestled with her and in the scuffle, Nani’s beautiful pink saree tore … Sheena’s little dollhouse fell down and its windows broke.

All of a sudden, everyone was quiet, as they looked at the huge rent in Nani’s new saree. It was about 10 inches long and positioned just above her breast. Sheena was crying and screaming at Shrome for breaking her new toy, quite oblivious of the greater damage to the saree. Nani calmed her down saying, “Sheena baby, its okay darling, we’ll get you a new doll house. I promise we’ll go to the toy-shop in the morning.”
Nani smiled effortlessly through the chaos and said, “Shall we all eat? The samosas and gulabjamuns shall go cold if we don’t.”

This is what grandmas are made of. Lucky are those children who get to be with grandparents, for they probably get more love from them than they do from their parents. Parents who keep their children away from the company of grandparents are depriving them of a luxury that comes free of cost. If your grandparents are still alive, make sure you make the best of them while they are still around. For when they are no more, you’ll surely miss them.