An Old Post - Missing Grandma Suddenly

This is an old post that I wanted everyone to read because I am pretty much sure everyone missed that before.

I have started thinking about so many things after I came here. While I was lying down staring up at the ceiling, a flashback of a sort was happening to me about my many childhood memories. And the person who was coming in my memories the most was my maternal Grandmother. I think she is one of those few persons who are responsible for me being what I’m today. I still remember the day when she died. It was so sudden and it was my first encounter with something as simple but equally shocking as DEATH.

It was a peaceful evening on 26th February 1990- 18 years ago at my grandparent’s place at Allahabad. Dadu went to buy some sweets as I was making hue and cry about having sweets (I was not even 7 years then). It was just after dusk – I don’t quite remember the time. My Grandma took me and my elder brother on her lap and was regaling to us stories. My mother was nearby. We were all laughing like anything. After some time my grandma asked us to move aside as she wanted to lie down and she went to sleep. That was her eternal sleep. A sleep from which she never woke up. She passed away peacefully in her sleep. Today when I evaluate my reaction then I feel surprised, amused, irritated and ashamed all at the same time. I was just a kid then. When Dadu arrived with the sweet and my mother called my grandma who was fast asleep. But she didn’t wake up. Doctor was called and he finally declared her dead. Everyone started crying. My mother, Dadu (who have never done that as far as I remember), my brother, neighbours - just about everyone present there who came there in a hurry. Everyone except me. I didn’t cry at first. Then suddenly after sometime I cried. I did it. But not because of my great loss but because everyone was crying and because no one gave me any sweet till that time. I just didn’t understand what was wrong with my grandmother. It was only when her body was being prepared for cremation decorated with flowers and all other items did I finally realise what had happened?. I have lost my Grandma. She is no more. She has left us alone. Today as I sit here alone and write this thing out, I realize what a loss that was. Today it is about 7 years since Dadu (last of my grandparents who was alive) died. And I see how it is to pass your days without any grandparents. May their souls rest in peace and I hope I can achieve something in my life by which they can feel proud sitting above - proud of their grandson.

Comments are turned off for this article.