This was my first experience of watching someone who has passed on ,so closely.
When my maternal grandmother passed on, I wasn't even born.
When my maternal grandfather passed on , i did not go to see him on his final journey as i had to stay back at home to look after my paternal grandparents.
When my paternal grandfather passed on , I was out of town , only to reach when it was the last bit of him going into the ambulance to take him to the crematorium.
When my paternal grandmother passed on , I was admitted in hospital after a spine surgery.I still remember , it was one day after my surgery , I was in immense pain only to be topped by the pain that I could not bid her farewell ;Though she did come to my dream that night and gave me the worlds warmest hug to say goodbye.
It was as if God was actually protecting me from seeing death that close ; coz i was always afraid to face the truth of death.
I am sure they are all in a peaceful place now and have united there to form one big happy family.
A few days back , my in-law , paternal grandfather passed on.
He was unwell for the last 4 month and we prayed each day that he passes on peacefully instead of suffering like he was.
But still , when i got the news, something stirred within me.
I dint know how i was going to face seeing him and the funeral procession there after, I must admit i was scared ; and my grandparents did flash before me...
But i guess ; i have matured over time and HE up there realized that and decided to make me face it.
We went there , and I saw him laid down, looking at peace where he was.
It dint feel like anything I did not want to feel.
It was only once before that I had met him and took an instant liking to him.
He looked adorable.Very knowledgeable from what I had heard of him.
The one time i met him , we chatted like we'd known each other already. He told me a few stories, some of his village , some of how he battled a heart surgery and cataract and some of his travels.
Very interesting indeed.
The best part about the conversation was , we dint speak each others language.
He spoke Marathi and I spoke in Hindi. But somehow, both of us understood each other.As they say , we "spoke the language of the heart".
It was wonderful to know him. I feel privileged.
As i saw him go on his final journey and watched his 3 sons and Ameya , carry him on their shoulders, i could not hold back the tears, but at the same time was proud to see the number of people who had turned up to pay their last respects to him; and i was told that each one there knew him personally! wow! what a fulfilling life I'd say.
Not many get the privilege to pass on in the same home they were born! He did! Good karma i guess :)
This is a tribute to him, my grandparents and all the people Ive known and been close to who are in a world unknown to us.. which i would like to believe..is a world with the kind of peace we dream of.. a world with no terrorists , a world where there is no anger,jealousy or any other vices.. just beauty all around with a fresh fragrance in the air...
Rest in Peace, Ajoba. You will definitely be missed.
