Grandfathers...

Whenever the summer's approach I am reminded of my summer vacations, where we would come to India. I was never excited about coming to India, in particular Bombay, its just another place, nothing really exciting. However, somehow summer vacations in India had their own charm. We met family, I love family, its just nice to be with people you can call your own, complain about, hate in some way, but somehow in the back of your mind you know that this person is there for you on D-day.

As a kid excitement in India came whenever we visited our grand parents. It's just the word on it's own that makes it work, GRAND, as in the best. I like grand parents for some weird reason, talking to them makes you realize there was a generation before yours, a land before time so to speak.

Talking to my grandmother's make me feel i'm too old, and I should get married and have a baby factory, cause in their time, they did that before they reached my age. So in a way I guess, I wouldn't be considered cool if I did live in that generation. But, meeting grandmother's is interesting, my maternal granny is a chilled out woman, who lives her life in the most relaxing manner. Though she may not have much, but watching her makes me feel that she would have definitely been very comfortable if she were queen. On the other hand, my paternal granny, she's quite a gung-ho character always in a rush, multi-tasking, aggressive, with some drive or adrenaline rush. I can completely see her overthrowing Hitler and running countries, but alas, she's just never had the chance.

My grandfather's; men amongst men, interesting characters with depth. What's interesting is both my grandfather's share the same name, smoke cigarette's and are very calm by nature. My maternal grand-dad, he was a character that i'm sure everyone enjoyed to be around, he was a tall lanky person and hearing him would make one burst into splits; a great sense of humour. He called me "Sherni ka bachcha," as in Simba or a lioness's cub, made me feel brave and strong when he did.

My paternal grand-dad, he would take me out for a walk, cause granny complained so much about him smoking he needed his time alone with me, so that of course he could smoke, relax and be himself. Funny though, he was so different at home and away from granny, two completely different people. At home he was quiet, outside he was like one of those 60's stars, who'd smoke his cigarette, pose and talk. Tell stories, introduce to his friends, who'd wait for him to come, have drinks etc.

Unfortunately, I never really knew them that well, but I do know and remember the times we'd go to the movies because I loved television, my first love, and we watched television up close and personal when we went to the movies. I'd sit there with my grand-dad with my mouth open amazed by the fact televisions had gotten so big and either grand-father telling me to keep my mouth shut its not polite.

Even today, I love sitting and watching a movie, even when alone I remember those movies we went to. They will always be the best movie buddies i've ever had. Grandfather's are amazing, they love watching you happy, they love spoiling you. I never understood how and why they smiled when they were with me, but today, I am just happy when I see them smile; I love the fact that we accept each other so gracefully, completely understanding each other and our private space.


Today, I have just a paternal grandfather, who can't speak due to a stroke and suffers from Alzeimers. He still smiles when he see's me, I guess he remembers our times together, and now it's my turn to make sure I spoil him. I take my grand dad smokes, light him a cigarette, watch my grandma complain, and I smile, watching him smile.