We’ll look at the moon and think of you

~ Francesca Victoria

“She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness…
Her children rise up and call her blessed.”
- Proverbs 31

Grandma was always gentle, kind, patient, caring, graceful, hospitable, generous, happy, loving, and dignified! Her life was a shining example of how life ought to be lived. By her actions, she taught us to treat people with kindness and forgiveness. She always kept confidences and only focused on the good in people. She was genuinely interested in the poor and the troubled, and gave unconditionally of her resources and time.

Grandma always seemed to have time for us, her grandchildren, too - to ask how we were faring and then listen patiently to our litany of childish problems. Her concern somehow made our worries melt away. She was an integral part of our lives – as we graduated from report cards to wedding cards.

We fondly recall her presence: those beautiful eyes, those soft hands, that sweet smell of powder and eau de cologne and, the rustle of her saree as she bustled about the household. We would drink our morning cup of ‘Grandma’s tea’ from wobbly silver tumblers. With the sunlight streaming through the window, we have marvelled together at the birds splashing in the bird-bath and twittering on the temple tree.

Grandma organised some memorable midnight feasts for us, at which we ate ice-creams and chocolates, and she enthralled us with stories filled with magic and mystique. Princes, princesses, fairies and a flying white horse featured prominently in them. In one particular story, the prince and princess got married in the end and Grandma attended their grand wedding. As a parting gift, she said, they gave her the blue enamel bangle that she used to wear!

She taught us action songs like ‘On The Good Ship Lollipop', ‘Animal Crackers’ and ‘My Ship Sails From China’ - and every song from ‘The Sound of Music’. Our family values and sense of morality were learnt from her -- like when she used to switch off the television whenever inappropriate content came on. And how she gently reprimanded us when a skirt stopped short of our knobbly knees... When we slept over, she would put chairs beside our bed to ensure we didn’t roll off… even after we became teenagers!

Grandma was like a shepherd, and we were her flock... She brought up ten amazing children. Then, she did the same to us – and, finally, to her 13 great-grandchildren. It brings us solace to know that she is now in the hands of the Good Shepherd from whom she drew so much strength.

Late at night, Grandma would say “Good night, God bless you” to each one of us and would retire to bed only after saying a prayer before the altar in the hall. She had unwavering faith in God. What sustained her during difficult times was prayer. "Lord Jesus,” she would pray, “hold my hand and walk through this world with me."

Once - at the end of our holidays - I was crying at the prospect of leaving. Grandma hugged me and said, “Whenever you feel sad, look at the moon and think of me - I will be looking at the same moon and thinking of you too.”

Thank you, darling Grandma, for all that you were to us and for all that you taught us about living! Until we meet again, we’ll look at the moon; okay, Grandma? Does it look the same from Heaven?

By Her 23 grandchildren