One year passed by…
As the day continues and becomes another day, I treasure the moments that are unforgettable and sometimes bring tears of delight.
As a grandma with grandsons, and granddaughters, she (my mother-in-law) spent every moment for their wellbeing in every way. My children, in particular, had a lovely time spending time with her and tasting the “Mango pickle and Mangoes in Summer time,” which became their favorite.
Some points I remember:
Talk to people and make connections without fear: On her first trip to the United States, she made a new contact and called us from the airport as soon as she landed, which surprised me.
She was eager to see new places: Whether it was a simple stop at a local store for a cookie or a cup of coffee, or a vacation to a different location to discover new things, she relished every second of it.
Send her visitors out on a positive note: There isn’t a single day when a guest isn’t sent away or unhappy with their stay.
There may have been times when I said something on the spur of the moment, but when I thought about it afterwards, I understand how vital and valuable that advice was.
As I read in the newspaper thought this seems most appropriate to pay my last respects to her!
Sorrow and Joy by Jalaluddin Rumi
Sorrow prepares you for joy. It sweeps everything out of your house so that new joy can find space to enter. It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart so that fresh leaves can grow instead. Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place.
The following shloka from Bhagavad gita reminds me to tolerate the ups and downs in life.
mātrā-sparśhās tu kaunteya śhītoṣhṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ
āgamāpāyino ’nityās tans-titikṣhasva bhārata
O son of Kunti, the contact between the senses and the sense objects gives rise to fleeting perceptions of happiness and distress. These are non-permanent, and come and go like the winter and summer seasons. O descendent of Bharat, one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.
Charvaka’s straightforward and down-to-earth mindset appears to have given her a cause to live life to the fullest despite pain.
May the memories last forever…