Dodda..

Words fail me as I try to describe my grand mom. Let me try and put down my earliest memories of her. Imagine a house like I have described here.

In this house,On the left side of the house lived my grand mom ( with my grandpa when he was alive ) and her children ( before they were married ) and on the right side lived my grandpa's brother and his family.

After the long trek home when we reached our house, we would be greeted with a huge exclamation, heartfelt happiness of both the set of grandparents. As we would settle down, we would be served breakfast by my grandmom. She was our loving Dodda.

With a smile on her face and grit and determination as she carried herself through the house maneuvering her arthritis infected legs, she ordered the workers around and got her work done. She knew her neighbors well and she was well in control of her environment.

Life when the children were growing up must have been tough - Grand pa was a Yakshagana artist and would be on tour for months together. Taking care of the household and the children alone , even though my other grandpa was around, must have been tough for her.

The last few years of her life , she stayed with her children - 2-3 months at a stretch she would stay with each of her children. The best part of her was the way she would blend herself into the culture of the family and become an asset to the house. She had an excellent memory and learnt like a child. She knew the names of all the cricketers - Indian, Australian and a few from other countries by name and loved watching cricket matches. She recognised models and could tell a Aishwarya Rai and a Sushmita Sen. She knew where each of her grandchildren lived ( US, Australia or parts of India ) and where they worked ( Wipro, Infosys etc. ) .

She would spend time watching her favorite kannada serials. She had a great sense of humour and would laugh like a child at any joke. She was 85 this year.

Last few months had been tough for her. She had had strokes in her head which would leave her immobile for a few days - but then she would recover. But this time she decided to move on to the other world. On the next day of Diwali, she suffered another stroke - and was hospitalized. And somehow at the back of everyone's minds and hearts, as well as her own heart, I guess she knew her job in this world is done - and I am sure she proud of who she had been and how she had carried herself. On Tuesday morning, she had a heart attack and passed away peacefully in her bed.

Its hard to believe that the silent, strong, child-like presence Dodda had at my parents or my aunt’s houses will not be around anymore - It has been tough even typing that up. Dodda, I will always miss you for the respect, determination, and dignity with which you carried yourself and when I am at your age – one thing that I am going to strive at - is to live a life of dignity the way you have.

Once again , Dodda we will miss you !