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Sunday, February 8, 2009

Death, Be not proud

I read Tuesdays with Morrie on a Sunday and I finished it in one session, a testimony to a brilliant piece of work. However, that is not the subject of this post. The book unearthed a memory that was cocooned in my mind for the last decade. A memory that, like others of its time, shaped me as the person I'm today.


I was never into "days". To me, the idea of correlating a particular day to any person (father's day, mother's day e.t.c) seemed to inflict an insult on the remaining days of the year. As if, they didn't deserve the privilege of the love we showered upon our dear ones (a reason, why I believe that every day should be alike a birthday, never mind that you run the risk of being broke by sunset). Gammy, my best friend, was typically my polar opposite and infuriatingly better than me, an aspect that split over on to our debates. She never failed to remind me, that for those unfortunates, who never had even that one day, these occasions were like an oasis amidst the ceaseless cruelties of life.


It was Mother's Day and I knew how much it meant to Gammy. She had lost her own mother before she completed high school, and I knew the duo shared a relation that transcended the realms that words can contemplate, or comprehend. Listening about her mum, made me realize just how much strength the lady had channelized into her lovely daughter. Quiet, dignified, and a gracious aura, that's what engulfed her. She was my first lesson in death, and the first time, someone taught me, that death was a subject that could be spoken and discussed at length, that it was not morbid, that it was the greatest equalizer, that it taught us how to live, how to be strong and most importantly, how to feel alive. That afternoon, I drew her close to me, and whispered the silliest (and extremely sincere) query I could come up with - "You miss her, don't you?" For a second, as Gammy stood transfixed, I was horrified at the utter insensitivity of the question. She, however, calmly retorted in as many words - " Yes, I do. But I've spent 16 great years of my life with her and I've learnt from her for all these years. She lives through her lessons. It'll suffice for this lifetime". Trust her, to put forth the most profound of the thoughts in a manner so simple, that it heightened the aura of the moment. I've learnt many aspects concerning attitude from her, but that day, Gammy had transcended even herself.


Two years later, Gammy died. Five months after that, a friend came to visit me, and in due course of our conversation, asked me with equal sincerity "You miss her, don't ya?" I guess, I knew the answer to the question even before I was asked. "I spent two great years with her mate, and she taught me a lot more than I could ask for. She lives though her lessons. It'll suffice for one lifetime." I replied, knowing that Gammy would have approved of the answer.


Almost three centuries back, the celebrated poet John Donne wrote a poem whose concluding lines still throng the memories of the elites and the plebeians. Gammy knew what those lines meant, and after she went, so did I - "Death, thou shalt die"!

12 comments:

honshu said...

profound...

i did not realize how you felt after reading the book, when you called me... maybe now i do...

good work! keep it up!

khushboo said...

All the three books by Mitch Albom are lovely.
I would recommend if you haven't read "five people you meet in heaven" do read. The is talked as if it is part of journey in it.

Hatikvah said...

Thanks Sandy!

I must say, that after reading Tuesdays with Morrie (one book, I can't thank Sandy enough)I have to agree with Khush. It was a profound piece of work...

Kanika Gupta said...

Well, I've never quite deliberated on the phenomenon of 'Death' and what happens after; I suppose the intricacies life occupied the entire bandwidth of my thoughts. This post is not only thought-provoking, but also moving. Paradoxically, giving thought to the eventuality of Death provokes myriad questions and notions about life itself. It not only makes one grateful for all the people and blessings in one's life, but also spurs one to pack as much life into one's years before the inevitable arrival of death.

sandy said...

Beautiful, simply beautiful! It was an illustration with a subtly strong undertone. To let the feel bloom completely, please do follow it up with a short span of silence post-reading.

Unknown said...

straight from the heart!
and touching...

Got to 'know' bout her for probably the first time

Shakti said...

death... its the strangest phenomenon of nature to which i guess id never be able to come to terms with.. but but im telling you those words have dumbstruck me...and you have brought the thought out very well.. yes i had watched this movie a few yrs back.. and it certainly leaves you with maybe the same thougts as your post..:) beautifull!!

Hatikvah said...

Welcome back Dreamrunner! Long time! Just wanted to know, which movie are you referring to...

Shakti said...

tuesdays with morrie was adapted into a movie as well..:)

Aditya Nabial said...

Thought provoking piece..have tried a few time to think this through but didn't make headway beyond the fact that it is a reality..rest of my thoughts remain quite inchoerent..but you've delved into this so lucidly..

am curious about the book now..will include it to my reading list..

Tariq said...

http://www.faith8hope.blogspot.com/ ..............the new id

vinita bhattacharjee said...

I had this post of urs but wasnt sure if I shud comment.. only after yesterday's conversation thought it wud b better that i did...
Death, is something which is out of our reach and understaning.. Th pain of losing someone to death is something which can never be expressed.. I for ones always block the pain.. never talk abt it never write.. which is a sin.. Thank you for remembering gabby .. surely she smiles everytime someone comments on this..
"I cant say the pain will go away, but yes, for what it takes I'll be there to ease it out"