Hits & Misses

We have had a number of subsequent losses in the immediate and extended family during the time period from August – October 2011. K paati moved in to the new house with us and had to immediately go to S perippa’s house for almost a month to attend the rituals.

V athimber (U athai’s hubby) – He was about to complete 60. A very nice gentleman who had offered us a lot of help out of his way. He was a Tamil pundit at Hindu Senior Secondary school. He took voluntary retirement owing to his health issues a couple of years back and was undergoing dialysis for the past few months. On August 14^th, Mylu athai had come to our house and casually called U athai when she said that athimber was admitted in Hindu Mission as he had breathing trouble on Saturday late night. They did not get an auto / cab in midnight and had to take him in a cycle rickshaw. She said he was OK then and they might discharge him on 15^th. We wanted to go and see him on 15^th either in the hospital or at his house once he was discharged. The next morning when we were getting ready we got a call from V athai that he is serious and the doctors had asked to inform kith and kin. I called up his younger son HK and he said, things were bad then but are much better now. But anyways we wanted to reach there as early as possible. Leaving Chittu with U mami, me, S, K paati, B athai, Mylu athai & V anna went to the hospital. He was in a critical stage. He had 3 continuous attacks from morning and when he had the 3^rd attack at 1 PM, the doctors lost hope and we lost him right in front of our eyes around 2.15 PM L His elder son SR was coming from Bangalore and reached at 3.30 or so. His daughter M akka was in Kerala and rushed all the way in a cab inspite of her pregnancy and reached the next day morning. V athimber was the son of a sastrigaL and always volunteered to arrange for GuNdu SastrigaL (for our gruhavapravesam & seemantham), found auspicious dates for various occasions and treats S as his own son. S used to say that all the good marks that he got in 10^th was because of his tutelage. V athimber did not have much peace of mind in his last few days because of an irritating and hard hearted elder daughter-in-law (though there were some mistakes from his side too), an uncaring and insensitive elder son SR. May V athimber’s SOUL rest in peace. His younger son HK is getting married today (17^th Feb 2012) in Vadapalani Murugan temple. Both me & S are not going to the wedding – me because I don’t approve of it, as the girl doesn’t belong to our caste and he is going to leave his mother alone and settle down at the girl’s place as veetoda maapiLLai. S will not be going because he has a training to attend. Both of us will attend the evening reception.

Rangamani mama – S’s own mama (K paati’s elder brother) He should be around 75 and was identified of bone cancer very recently and did not suffer too much. He is survived by his wife T who had undergone amputation early in 2011. They do not have children. I haven’t interacted much with them as I have a mindset that they are too stingy and try to extract as much as possible from others. But whatever it is, LOSS is LOSS. May his soul rest in peace too

Gurukainkaryamani Mr. MS – B athai’s father-in-law aged 70 years. He was also undergoing dialysis and was getting on and off the hospital multiple times, but the final time, he didn’t make it home all fit as usual. He is survived by his wife, elder son & daughter-in-law (B athai), elder grandson (M anna), younger son, daughter-in-law and grandson, a daughter, son-in-law and grandson. May his soul rest in peace

MR. MPN  - J paati’s best friend ML aunty’s hubby. Another one who was about to complete 60. He is an extremely fit person and we did not even expect it. He goes to Sabarimalai every year, is not obese, a tee totaller, pure vegetarian. He complained of chest pain and was admitted in a local hospital. J paati had visited him on 20^th October and he was sounding OK, saying these people are creating a big fuss over nothing. The cardiologist there advised him to be transferred to MMM and things just happened in a whiz and he was no more on October 25^th 2011 – Tuesday evening (the day before Diwali). He is survived by his wife, son & daughter. May his soul rest in peace

I did not take Chittu for any of the last rites (even on the 13^th day) as I was not very comfortable.

Additions to the family

Master Vaibhu born on 21^st December 2011 – H akka’s son -  a cute bundle who is a photocopy of his dad. I’m curious to know how 5 year old Vibhu akka is reacting towards her younger brother. Need to talk to V athai soon. She left to the US for H akka’s delivery on 12^th Dec 2011 – a day after Chittu’s aayushyahomam

Baby Manu born on 11^th December 2011 – M akka’s younger daughter – a tall baby who has an extremely affectionate 5 year old sister SD akka who always wants to do everything by herself for the baby. U athai & M akka have their hearts in mouth during those times, but they can’t deny it to her as it might increase possessiveness or invoke sibling rivalry.

One more post to go….and I should be up to date. I am utilizing my travel time effectively J *pats myself on the back* J