Subject:

Granny's 75th Birthday

I know that I have a special bond with Granny. The earliest story I know of her comes from the very day I was born. The story begins when she came home one day and found out that Ma had to be taken to hospital earlier than expected and had given birth to me. As she got out of the taxi, she saw her daughters standing on the balcony waving to her and shouting that I was infact born a boy.

Every time she told me about it, I could see her eyes fill up with so much happiness and memories. And she never forgets to tell me about how she left the taxi-driver with a Rs. 100 tip - a sizeable one even for today (and a king's ransom 22 years ago!). But that's exactly what granny has been to everyone who knows her. She never really cares about herself when it came to her friends or family and especially her children or grandchildren.

My own memories of Granny go from her singing Ladlu-pedro (MA ARE THESE THE RIGHT WORDS?) every time she was around me or how she'd run after me because I was spraying perfume or talcum powder all over the place. Not because I was wasting it, but because she knew I was also asthmatic and might end up hurting myself. I remember how she would come over to teach me math and history. I'm definitely not her favorite student; I think Shakuntala Devi takes that place. ? After all, how can the grandson of a teacher with so much experience be so miserable at her pet subject?

The last few years have brought me even closer to granny. Studying in Pune, I made it a point to visit her every two months atleast. I also remember how she spent the spring with me each year, just to make sure I was studying for my exams! ? I'd get back from each exam and she'd always be waiting for me with her sabudana kichdi or meatball curry or her special soup or shellfish curry! I remember how she once tricked me into believing that she'd finished all the Goan sausages and then surprised me with a sausage pulao on the day of my final university exam! Fantastic way to get done with university! ?

When I moved to Bombay for a year, I'd pop in every time I was around her side of town and even brought my friends over at times. They love her dearly and she showered them with much of her grandmotherly love. (Tarang & Vaibhav even claim that she's more of a grandmother to them, than to me!)

Granny is 75 today and I wish that I could be there. I know I'm going to miss her a lot today, but knowing her, she's probably praying that I am happy and keeping well. I love her very, very much. And someday, soon, I hope I can get back to spending time with her like I used to in the last 4 years. Have a GREAT day granny; you are so special to me and all my friends who have met you. Thanks for all the love and prayers you have given me over the last 22 years. Keep praying for me! You alone know how much they work for me!

Lots of love,

Your (first) grandson...

Pierre

P.s. Web and Tee... she's 75 on the 8th of March, but we're putting a special package together for her to sort of commemorate the 75 years of her life... thought I'd share it with you guys since she really likes the two of you the most...

Pierre Mario Fitter

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http://pierrefitter.nomadlife.org

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