100 Happy Days – Day 20
Happiness is my Ammamma’s birthday!!!
My (Ammamma) grandmother is a very important part of my life. If someone asks me whom I love the most, I would say Ammamma. I have always thought about writing a post dedicated to her. But I did not know where to begin. I started writing a post about her once. But I couldn’t arrange my thought flow well because there were too many things to write about her. I wanted to write everything even though they were all disconnected. Finally, it became such a big mess. I realised that I loved her too much to write about her. Or maybe, I am yet to reach those heights where I could really convert those strong emotions to words.
In any case, this is my first post exclusively dedicated to her. Today is our princess’ birthday. People say that as we grow old, we return to our childhood. I have been seeing that happen. When she asks for more chocolates, when she gives that sudden toothless smile, when she cracks cute jokes and laughs, when she makes weird shrieks and sounds like little children to make us laugh, when she throws her tiny tantrums. But beyond all these, I realize how she is different when she takes a look at my face and asks why I look so dull. When she knows that we are hungry and in spite of her age, prepares food for us. She has been loving us all these years and I am awestruck when I realise that she still has so much of love left to give.
I don’t know if I can return all that love. But I can make her happy now and then. Till today morning, we were clueless about what to do for her special day. She was super-excited. Her phone kept ringing and she was being showered with wishes from around the world. It was on the spur of the moment that my sister and I decided to prepare a four course dinner for her. As soon as wew had agreed on it, we set to work.
To sum it all up, we decided the dishes, made a list of things to buy, communicated with Amma, bought all the necessities and set to work after lunch. Since all the dishes were new to me, I was a bit tensed about how they would turn out to be. By evening, we had completed half the work. And, the bell rang.
Ammamma has been hopeful that her son, my mama (uncle) would come some time soon to see her. They – mama, mami and my cousin – decided to come today and her face bloomed like that of a rose’s. Mami had prepared Momos and payasam and brought them along. So, we had additional dishes too. She joined us for rest of the cooking, while Amma soon came in with some more ingredients. Soon, the four of us where running around the kitchen until finally, it was time.
Ammamma wore her new aqua blue saree and needless to say, she stole the show! She looked like a lone fresh lotus in a pond. All commented on how beautiful she looked in that saree. It was such a bliss to watch her smiling and looking around like a child. God! i love her!
We cut the cake, and ate them all. 😛
Amma gave Ammamma a bouquet made of red roses.
My uncle who is a professional guitar player, sang some songs for her while he conjured his magic with the guitar.
We clicked many pictures.
Meanwhile, my aunt from The US skype called us to talk to Ammamma and she was thrilled!
After around half an hour of skype chat, we decided to begin the dinner. Our 4 course consisted of – Tandoori Aloo, momo and mint chutney (that mami conjured) for starters, Sweet corn vegetable soup, Chappati and Paneer Tikka Masala (Phew!) and Payasam and Orange delight for dessert. 😀
A while ago, Ammamma went to sleep and I asked her, “Did you enjoy the day?”
“Very much. I liked it more than my 80th birthday celebrations.”
That birthday was celebrated on a big scale. With so many relatives, programmes, games and cultural events. Today, when she said that, I understood that she did not have any other words to express her happiness. Hence, she compared this with something big. I am tired. After all the cooking, running around and post dinner clean up. But I am happily tired. I don’t even know if that makes any sense.
But as I type in these words with my eyes half closed, I have a permanent smile on my face. The bliss that comes with making Ammamma happy.
PS – I know that the images lack clarity. If you wish to see better images, please give me a writing job so that I can buy a camera with my salary.
PPS – The above PS is written by Phoebe Buffay. 😛
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