Ma's 85th

Today is Ma's 85th birthday.  Married at 21, she made Gujarat her new home state, but always looked forward to Diwali and summer vacations at her paternal home in Trissur District. And she was (and still is, if prodded) full of stories of her growing up years, of people, surroundings, and experiences of her 'Naadu' that seemed ancient and nostalgic.  Being the youngest of her children I was always around her, while she read, while she was crocheting, or gardening. In the process, all of those habits and hobbies percolated into me. Especially so after Pa left us 32 years ago, and she had all the time to devote to herself, in-between spending time with grandchildren at home. Now she is a great grandmother to a big bunch of little ones, has not picked up a crochet hook in years, barely reads, and just about manages to spend time with her plants. It's been years since she traveled to Trissur or anywhere out of Baroda. But she is truly blessed that she has her 2 sons and loving daughters in law living with her and attending to her every need.