Acchhamma

Tribute

Acchama ( grandmother). This is my children's Acchama and my mom-in-law. Mother of three sons, she was classy, trendy, traditional and an epitome of love. She was blessed to have three daughters as her daughter-in- law. She was  the last kanni(loop) of Kuttipurath taravadu, thus Cheriamma, Cherioppa,Valiamma,  Acchhamma and Ammamma to so many children and grandchildren.

All loved her and all was loved by her. She was always presentable. She would wear neat clean and crisp clothes. She was very particular about keeping herself presentable. That's the best part of her which I lacked. She was a dedicated wife. So her routine rounded against my father-in- law only. She was very much happy doing her things her way and was very particular about the needs of her husband and it was her priority. My father-in-law was a military retired person with a particular lifestyle and routine. A well disciplined person. He will get up early by 4am in the morning and the first requirement of morning tea will be fulfilled by my mom-in-law. Satisfied that her husband had his morning tea she would now move ahead for her daily routine of taking bath,puja and the morning breakfast. On the other hand my father-in-law would be busy in the thotam(orchard)executing the exercise of plucking fresh vegetables and also watering them. Both my mom-in-law and father-in-law bonded well. Washing the veggies and cutting was my father-in-law's ordeal and we daughter-in-laws too were relieved of this chopping and cutting. Since during holidays an increase of family members and thus a whole lot of cooking too. My mom-in-law loved her grandchildren a lot and was very particular about their taste and needs. She would be moving around and would always be busy feeding them with various items. For example she would be keeping different health mixes like,Boost, Bournvita, Maltova, Horlicks. Though my children never liked milk that much, but to please their caring Acchhamma they will gulp it down. She was very simple and would always be on her toes doing things for her grandchildren.  And if a guest is there in the house then no question of her taking rest, she would literally be looking after their needs.

She was a good cook, and was a strict vegetarian. She used to make various sweets and Mysorepak was her favourite recepie. She used to move around from one State to other alongwith my father-in- law and thus learnt how to do embroidery and other handy crafts, she used to make bags from plastic wires. She had a lovely embroidered bedsheet embroidered by her, which she used to spread on special occasions. It was so wonderful and beautiful that it inspired me too  to  revive my embroidery skills which I learnt from school as a part of my handicraft session. Her hand made bag is still with me as her token of love.  She loved ornaments and always used to adorn it too. She used to look pretty adorning them. Reading was her hobby and loved watching television. She kept everything in a spic and span manner, which I learnt and it's a unchangeable part of me now.

She was very simple and all wordly things never bothered her she was very happy with her cosy home and happier when all her sons would be around her. She was looked after well by her second son and  daughter-in-law, the other two sons being in different cities. My sis-in-law was a real daughter adhering to all her needs.

She was very active and moving....inspite of her age (82), slowly old age took a toll on her  health and she was hospitalized on her last days. It's been three years now that we're missing her presence, especially, by her three sons, apple of her eyes. Father-in-law too is going through the phases of old-age and dementia.

The bitter truth of life (death) can never be understood. But the reality is that, it definitely brings a void to one's life no matter whoever is alive and living. The vaccum which it creates can never be filled. 

Giving tribute to my mom-in-law who will always be living in our memories.