Skip to main content

CUCUMBER..

My 2 year old son loves eating cucumber slices. He would get excited when he spots cut cucumber slices on the table. So yesterday when i was peeling a cucumber, i was suddenly reminded of my late maternal grandmother. She was the one who taught me how to un-bitter a cucumber. She skillfully sliced off the tips of the cucumber, rubbed them against the exposed, cut area until there was white froth forming at the edges. She would then wash them and peel them for me. I would enjoy eating the juicy slices, not thinking this memory would mean so much to me.
There are so many little experiences in our lives that stay with us forever. I am amazed how I can never cut cucumber without thinking about her. How I wish i learned more from her. How i wish i was as talented and resourceful as she was. If only i learned my lesson earlier than so late when i cannot even speak to her if i wished to.
I loved watching her cook. I loved watching her make Khaja..a deep fried sweet filled with ghee and drenched in sugar syrup. I loved when she would make those maida biscuits. I loved so much about her -  How she would make bread bondas with the same shape and beautiful, crispy exterior and a warm, soft filling inside. How she would prepare delicacies just to be relished at the movie theatre.
How she had the most innocent laughter. How she could never shout at us or be angry for too long.
How she was meek within and showed us a brave front.  How a simple cucumber could make me miss my grandmother.

Comments

sunti said…
My eyes are teary. I miss my mom .
May 31, 2016 at 1:17 PM
Unknown said…
Very true. Small things in daily life make us re-live memories.
June 1, 2016 at 10:25 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The loss of a friend !

My Father-in-law was not the typical FIL who was distant and would not interact with his daughter-in-law. Well, initially he was like that and then he warmed up to my presence and opened up to me. Over the last few years, as we spent a lot of time together, as we were all living in the same home, he became my close friend, mentor, guide and my biggest cheerleader. He was born in Shimoga, grew up in Amrutur with his aunt, started his family in Sagara and eventually retired into Bangalore. 80+ years, he has had the most enviable life. Don't mistake it for a rosy life or a life with no issues or problems! He was one among 11 - 6 boys and 5 girls. He was the 2nd child and as his mother had more children, she needed help raising the kids and so she reached out to her sister in law to take care of him in Amruthur - a farmland. He grew up under the care of his aunt and love from his cousins, who were all girls. He would eat fresh food from the abundance of the farm and also drink milk so...
1 comment
Read more

It's been 5 years !

I still remember not being able to fall asleep on November 7th 2020. I usually crash and sleep almost the instant I decide to call it a day. But that day, I closed my eyes and was tossing and turning and I just could not sleep. It was almost 1 am the next day when I just about started to doze off when I got a call. A call that late into the night from a family member is always dreaded. I now knew why ! I was told that my Amma was not well and we needed to go to see her immediately. 5 minutes after we started, we heard the news that she was no more. The ride took 40 minutes and still felt like a terrible nightmare. Once I reached where she was, we decided to wait for a couple of more hours before informing our family and friends. At 4am, I started making the calls. Reiterating to each one that Amma was no more. It was the toughest to state it out loud like that when no one ever saw it coming. Just 12 hours back we were making plans of what sweets each of us would make for Deepavali. Sh...
3 comments
Read more

My Wheels!

  April, this year, my better half took me to a car showroom and we just ended up booking a car for myself on my birthday. Best gift ever! Though I made the transactions, him making the decision on the car and taking me there was very special. I had not pursued driving at all since I received my DL in 2004! Close to 20 years later, I have suddenly found confidence and the enthusiasm to drive. I learned in Chennai and often would take Appa's car, but it was his office car, so was always scared of any potential damage. Then my husband's car. His parents always used to worry about the tiniest damage on the car and that was excuse enough to not gain confidence in driving his car. So, a year back, I had decided I had to buy one for myself to gain confidence. I am now wondering why I didnt do it any sooner!  I am loving my new wheels and I love how I managed to drive 35 kilometers in just a day yesterday! It's a month since I got my new car and my confidence is high! This was als...
Post a Comment
Read more