Amamma’s Love Language

Love for her grandchildren showed itself in many forms - 

It showed up as the kaju katli wrapped in brown paper

Or in the expertly peeled pomegranate seeds. 

Often you could glimpse it in the few extra days she decided to stay back.

Most times it showed up as the paper-thin green masala papad

that everyone loves but cannot replicate

or the extra dough she left behind for more papad. 

You could spot it in the aloo biryani, the prawn curry,

the kheema, the coconut-stuffed garijelu, or a dabba full of homemade murukku. 

It came forth in all the matinee shows she took them to.

It was also present in all the hours of babysitting she willingly signed up for.

It crept into the morsels she lovingly fed them when their parents were away.

And much later when they grew up it came forth

as a quick shout telling them to get their act together. 

When they grew up, it was in all of her sarees she passed on to them.

It was present in her respect for all their choices, careers, and opinions.

It was also present in the love she extended to their offspring.

When the time came for her to go, love came forth in her satisfaction

knowing that all her grandchildren were happy and loved.

It also sprang forth in the poise with which she left this world

- teaching them what to do when their time comes.

Amamma’s love for her grandchildren was always around in so many ways

- big and small, cajoling and disciplining, over long distances and tumultuous times, through the terrible teenage woes and blissful childhood days.