Yes. I truly was.
Baa (my nani) is one of the few women who has left a deep mark
in my life - as a baa, as a mother and more importantly as a woman.
Her values
on living within your means, on the strong will to remain independent, and on
selfishness are something I remain inspired by. Her art of perfection and
minimalism, whether in the kitchen or in her cupboard, would put Mary Kondo to
shame.
Of the many many memories of and with baa, my core childhood memory was
how she would prepare for our summers in Sudarshan the way only she could:
- We
all had toothbrushes with our names on it;
- I don’t know where that came from
but I recall saying this with her - “baa ni dikri dai, pappa ni dikri gaandi"
- She would feed us mangoes as if that was the only thing worth eating during
those months.
- She would take every single watermelon seed out before feeding
us.
- Playing card games like Saath-Aanth and Do-Teen-Paanch were pure joy with
her. She would lose every single game!! I thought she did not know how to play.
Turns out she knew exactly how to play with her grandkids.
I wish I had more
opportunities to be around her just as she was when I was growing up. I will
also cherish the times when she came to stay at Ghatkopar for over a month when
mom/dad were in the US.
Over the years, going to meet her was never an
obligation but purely out of love and a deep desire to soak in her warmth, her
hug and her care.
Thank you, Baa for your legacy of unconditional love and of
giving. We hope to pass that on just as you did. Love you!
RIP Baa
July 21, 1929 - June 4, 2026
