Dida…

Aug 4
NabanitaDhar

Write Tribe always comes up with something that makes me smile. This week’s 100 words on a Saturday prompt is one such prompt. With this I now have the opportunity to write a few lines about my grandmother, my Dida.
You know there are ways in which life teaches us lessons and shapes us? Sometimes it’s through a certain acquaintance, a certain relation. It is sly, this thing we called life. It drops subtle hints and takes us along towards those curves where we learn and sometimes unlearn.
When I look back at my life a handful of people come to my mind. A bunch of people who have made me who I am today, shaped me if I might say so. My grandmother was one of them. She was one who had had an immense influence on me and in a way her thoughts still guide me to this day. Free-spirited, intellectual and broad-minded I think these words fall short of describing the kind of woman she really was. I don’t know many adjectives really that can do justice to the woman she was.
I remember she had told me once when I was just a little girl that I should always aim to live my life on my own terms, as an independent individual. That today is the mantra of my life. I’m fiercely protective of my independence. How I miss her today? I wish I could have brought her to live with me. You know every evening she would sit with the newspaper or a book. Maybe that’s where I got my love of reading from? She always knew what to say and how to say. I remember her quoting from Jawaharlal Nehru’s letter to Indira Gandhi on what to do when at life’s crossroads. My grandmother said whenever in doubt I should think if what I’m about to do needs to be hidden. If not, then I should go ahead unabashed. This has stayed with me ever since.
She was one of the strongest women I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately it’s going to be 3 years since she left this world for her heavenly abode. Sad thing is after June 2006 I just couldn’t make time to meet her. College, career and what not took over. But I also think somewhere I fell short of making a genuine effort to meet her. I know I could have met her one last time if only I had tried a little harder. Well it can’t be undone now. I just wish I have a second chance to see her, even if once. Perhaps one day beyond the horizon, on the other end of the rainbow?
I know I’ve crossed the 100 word limit for the Saturday prompt but when it’s about Dida how can I not?
Write Tribe

47 thoughts on “Dida…”

  1. Lovely description, Naba. I can only picture that image of the two of you sitting together with a book. How adorable! You just made me smile 🙂 Let go of the guilt. You cannot be everywhere all the time. And thinking of the 'what ifs' makes it worse. She is smiling down on you. Make her happy 🙂

  2. I haven't had the chance to spend that much time with either of my grandparents. I guess I missed out on many such pearls of wisdom because of that. 🙁

    You are forgiven for crossing the word limit. Feelings cannot be bound by word limits.:)

  4. She's there looking over at her grand daughter with a lot of pride and love, Nabanita. A lovely tribute to her 🙂

  6. I am blessed to have lovely grandparents .. My Dadi and Naani are still with us and I jsut met them both a few months back ..
    and those are some good lessons.. and never mind about the word count , Who is counting when we are telling about the people we respect and love ..

    lovely post

    Bikram's

  7. The are always regrets of not having spent enough time when people we love leave this world. But I'm sure your grandma is proud of you. Beautiful piece Naba. Made me nostalgic for my grandmother.

  8. That sure is some awesome from your Dida! Even I believe that if you feel the need to hide something, you should not do it at all!

  9. Both my two grandmothers are gone and I miss my mom's mom. Never knew my dad's mom at all as she died when I was very young. Grandmothers are special, for sure.

    So touching to read your reminiscence of your grandmother or Dida as you called her. She sounded very wise.

    Don't feel guilty about those last years and being unable to meet up with her. I'm sure she still knew how much she meant to you. You had a special bond.

    http://cattitudeandgratitude.blogspot.ca/2014/08/its-time-to-slow-down.html

  10. Indeed she taught you very well. In my case, these exact lessons were taught to me by my mother and I could so relate to your words. Beautiful dedication to a lovely lady.

  12. Very touching, Naba.
    I can relate to your post & remembered my Dida…
    100 words not enough to write about great people…

  14. What a strong, wise and lovely grandmother you had:-) Happy you had her in your life, and that she gave you such a wonderful legacy… Then their blessings live on through the grandchildren. Lovely read, dear Nabanita:-)

  16. Thanks Shailaja…True the 'what ifs' really make it worse but this heart refuses to listens…And as you say I really hope she is smiling down on me 🙂

  17. I'm sure in their place there were others for that Jyothi… And true feelings can't be bound in word limits..I still feel this post is incomplete for I want to write so much…

  22. Glad you liked reading is Tulika and yes you are right only when we lose a person forever does regret kick in…so true…

  24. You are so right Cathy grandmothers are indeed special…And as you say I really hope she knew how much I loved her..I guess she did but now that I don't have her anymore sometimes I feel bad that i couldn't meet her one last time…

    Thanks for dropping by 🙂

  33. When my grandpa passed away recently, my heart ached for I could not attend his last rites and take his blessings one last time. My mom then told me that it was destined, perhaps because he did not want me to see him like that. I take solace in those words. Let go of that guilt Naba…

  34. No restrictions for love, glad that you crossed the limit with the number of words. Sometimes its just a little too late and we miss that one window of opportunity, sorry that you couldn't meet her, but she must be up there keeping a watchful eye on you.

  35. Thank you for sharing, Naba. What a special lady! I had the same regrets about my grandmother, but I know she had a large heart and would forgive me. I'm sure yours was the same. Hugs.

  36. That was a beautifu tribute to your Grandma. Such a lovely a powerful lady. Loved her advises, esp …"whenever in doubt I should think if what I’m about to do needs to be hidden. If not, then I should go ahead unabashed." I'm gonna take this from her. Thanks for sharing her with us 🙂

  38. I guess it is true Bhavya… Everything happens for a reason I'm told and I believe in it too sometimes..Maybe I should let go of the guilt for it was planned to be so by some power above…I wish you all the strength to deal with your loss..

  41. Thanks Sheethal and I'm glad you found this peace useful…Hope this helps you at some point in ur life 🙂

  44. And the qualities of dear grandmom cannot be condensed to 100 words and your post reflects the love affection and respect you have for your grandmom because they may leave their mortals body but always live in our hearts.

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