Funeral

The obituary, scenes at home and at church.

Death, be not proud...

From Christmas vacation 08

My uncle, beloved to Ash and Mira and who had provided exciting paternal company for them during their last summer vacation died a tragic death day before after 10 days on the ventilator. He was 49. A cardiac arrest combined with a seizure had severely damaged his brain and he did not come out of his deep sleep despite our fervent prayers.
While Ash wondered why he hadnt carried a torch when he went out in the evening and badly hurt his jaw (and subsequent hospitalisation), Mira carried a pair of slippers home so that she could go out for a walk with Donypappa. In the end they witnessed for the first time a Syrian Christian funeral. The questions have been pouring too - why his body is so cold, why his face looks different, will maggots eat his body and how they can when it is sealed in a coffin etc etc.
They were most reluctant to leave Chandanapally this time though we promised them they will be back in two weeks time. What they dont know is that this summer vacation is going to be different without Donypapa to run to in the family house.

Playtime

It is interesting to watch Ash and Mira play their little adult games. Today they were pretending to be at the beach (venue: the kids' bedroom) letting the waves wash their feet. Mira is of course in charge, and tells Ash not to go too near the waters. Then they pretend to be hungry and wanting to snack. It is amazing how much they imitate us.
Much of last week, they were playing playschool/day care since Mira has been spending half a day at the day-care centre nearby while Ash is away at school. So all the soft toys in the cupboard - an elephant, a teddy, 2-3 dogs of different breeds, dolls, a monkey etc - were out and sitting happily on the sofa while their so-called parents and child minders (the roles keep interchanging) dropped them at the creche, fed them, took them to the loo and fetched them back home.
At other times, they are busy singing and dancing in front of the mirror, inspired by Idea Starsinger on Asianet. Mira of course tries some costume enhancements too, with my dupatta as sari or a shawl draped over her head.
For the real adults, life is no great fun of late. The nanny trail had to be terminated, after a week of listening to the agent's promise of sending a maid "tomorrow". The good thing was that V was able to make the Kerala trip just in time, and retrieve part of the advance we paid the Kottayam agency.
Our Naomi Campbell
Since Feb 24, we have a local, part-time nanny for the kids provided by my former landlady. Though the initial babysitting hours was 12-7 p.m., it had to be modified since her daughter and son-in-law didnt want her spending such long hours away from home (which is a kilometre from ours) as they needed her assistance to take care of their infant son. Her name is Nagamma or Naomi (she converted to Christianity some time back) and the quality of her work is very good. She is energetic and cheerful, and seems kind to the kids.
Right now, she is with with us for 2 hours in the morning before the children go to school - this month school works from 2-4.30 pm owing to the public exams for Class 10 and 12 - and two hours in the evening after the kids return from school and until we return home. A shaky arrangement as locals have a tendency not to be punctual or to go on leave at short notice - today she is away as her mother has reportedly met with a fatal accident in Kanchipuram. I dont know when she is going to be back or if she will be back at all. I just hope I can manage for a month till the kids depart to Kerala for their summer vacation a month from now.

Ash

Last week, V and Ash took the the train to our hometown in Kerala to meet the homeo doctor. In the morning , an idli-vada seller came into their train coach, and Ash insisted that he wanted a plate of it as he was hungry. Since it is an overnight journey - 8pm to 8 am - the more stoical of us especially adults wait till we reach home to eat something - the first taste of Kerala has to be from one's own mom's kitchen.
V tried telling Ash that his Ammachi (granny) had prepared idli and chutney for him but he would have none of it. He was hungry and he had to eat. And as Ash relished the not-so-fluffy idlis, V tried to taste a little of the idli.
"No, dont eat mine. You can go home and eat what Ammachi has made," Ash told him.
***

Though he missed one mid-term exam paper because of the Kerala trip, he has done extremely well in the other papers. Considering his health, attendance in school and performance until now, it is an achievement. I owe my thanks to his tutor Hakim, who is not merely a teacher for him but a big brother and friend. He is strict with him but I often find them showing each other their biceps (!!), chatting etc. He even lifts Ash up high or gives him a hug before or after vacation. God bless him :)