Maybe the best Teacher, about the value of time and our presence on earth !Strange I have had to face it at regular intervals since age 22 !! But the most shocking and relevant for me was of PR Menon Uncle. An old, dear friend of Dad and Mom in Coimbatore, at the Hospital, who died literally in Aunty's arms and me watching, in a tiny hospital room !Its the day, I realised the only finality in Life is Death! Even more, the value of sharing tears is a million times better than sharing joy.The picture is so vivid in my mind, though it happened 35 years back !
I had taken lunch for Uncle, and as he was eating, complained of chest pain, by the time the Doctor could come, he was breathing hard, Aunty sitting beside him, telling him to relax, and finally after a few mins, with one last gasp, a long look, everything went still !We stood in stupefied silence !I did manage to console Aunty, in my own immature way,and got a few phone no's to call.
Few mins later, ( That looked like ages ! ) Relatives came, and then, we came to grips ! Now was the challenge to take the Body Home. The Govt Mortuary Van, at the GH, refused to come until next day !! To cut a long story short.. We pulled the back seat down in Uncle's White Fiat Car,placed the body and I drove back all alone !! Thoughts, of the lovely times I had as a child in Secunderabad, Aunty's lovely food,friendship with Sudhir, Madhu and Mridula, uncle's wonderful smile and the lovely ambience of love !! Gosh, I thought, this is the worst in life !!
35 years later,having seen many deaths - Physical, Mental,Emotional,Financial ( !? )
can only conclude-
Lets share to show we care !
Indiae
About Me
- Finger Tip
- Trivandrum, Kerala, India
- Been there and seen it all. Like to walk on the beach,at night in particular !Long drives on strange roads and the mountains always beckon !
6 comments:
There is a wish people express frequently
" Anayasena maranam " (Death without struggle). Mr.Menon seem to have had such a death.
The above quote is from Mahabharatha.This is the first line from the prayer Dronacharya makes to Krishna, moments before his death. To me the second line of the prayer is even more significant.
" vina dainnena jeevitham" (Life without misery")
But that is a futile wish. Life does not allow cherry picking.And a prayer is nothing but asking God to alter the grand scheme of things in favor of one person. What foolishness!
I will try to enjoy the journey as best as I can.
Great words of wisdom, Raj Ettan !
It's apparent that the incident has left an indelible mark on you.Even after so many years you not only recall minor details but the way a life extinguishing, impacted your existence. Death perhaps taught you about the frailty of life.
For me it was death that taught me not only about life but also how to live it. Nicely written Raj.
Anonymous, Thanks for the lovely words, it matters !
Rajalakshmi taught me Physics in my University Previous class in 1964.She was a sensitive soul who did not encourage any sort of intimacy. She had already established her reputation as an author with her first novel 'oru vazhiyum kure nizhalukalum' ( A path, and a few shadows). She attracted even greater attention when she recalled her novel "Uchcha veyilum Ilam Nilavum" (Mid-day sun and the mellow moonlight)half way through its serialisation in Mathrubhumi. It was never seen again. Her third novel "jnanenna Bhavam" (Ego) was being serialised by Mathrubhumi when she committed suicide. She was in her thirties.
Just before her death, a short poem by her appeared in the College magazine with the caption 'Death"
I am witnessing and watching helplessly the same morbidity. I realize that there is nothing I can do or any one can do. This is something which has to be sorted out by the person himself.
There was a time when I also used to brood on the 'wounds of time' 'the silence in the blood' and what not,when like Oscar Wilde, I found it "incresingly difficult to live upto my blue china"!
I would now rather repeat after Bhartr'hari
Earth my mother,Father Wind
Light my Friend, Water my Kinsman
Brother Sky, my final Salutations.
With the Wisdom and enlightenment gained thru' my association with you
I, having given up all material desires, awaits (patiently) my merger with the Ultimate.
Nice profile pic....Good to see some activity on your page. Where was this pic taken? Must commend the photographer....
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