Click here to read the first post ( first month!)
Click here to read the second post ( second month!)
Click here to read the third post ( third month!)
Click here to read the fourth post ( fourth month!)
Click here to read the fifth post ( fifth month!) - my brother pens his thoughts here.
Click here to read the sixth post ( sixth month)
Click here to read the seventh post ( seventh month)
When i got married, we moved cities and then countries. While Paris sounds glamorous, when you live far away from home - it is HARD, I have been married for almost 18 years now, which means I have also spent a large part of my adult life away from Amma and Appa.
Having said that, I have spoken to them every single day. I call them EVERYDAY, until I share every liitle or big detail, good or bad news, professional or personal update, just about everything I share - my day is not complete. First person to hear every update is S ( he is physically present too), I relate my entire day verbatim when I see him. Since my folks are not physically here with me, I call them and still do the detailed download. :)
Normally, I talk to Amma about the inane details too, Appa is reserved for more serious, important updates and it is not very long. Appa is a very no-nonsense kind of person, he will speak to-the-point and put the phone down, in fact, many times even while you are still on. I would always laughingly tell him to say bye or something so I know that the conversation is over.
In the year 2012, I distinctly remember, for a couple of days I could not reach them for a couple of days, I got a bit worried. Then, Anna informed S and I that Appa is having a small "procedure" and may not be reachable for some time as they will be in and out of hosptials. My memory is hazy now but he kept saying something to keep it "normal" for me. Even then, I remember praying fervently that the "procedure" goes well and they get to see my baby, I had no clue. I was pregnant with Baby Girl and it has been a tumultuous journey of loss until then.
Naturally, they did'nt want to disturb my peace of mind or create stress especially since I lived far away. Later, much later, AFTER Baby Girl arrived safely, Anna told me that Appa went through Angioplasty and Amma had open heart surgery. Anna was secretly discussing with S to keep the secret. S would often tell me later, that your brother was so worried only abour you. He would always ask "what do we tell baby?" ( I am indeed the baby of the house, so everyone refers to me as "baby").
In hindsight, it all worked out well but they had a rebirth, both of them admitted in hospitals on the same day...I'd rather not dwell on the details.
They willed their recovery and came down to Paris for my delivery, looking very frail but ecstatic and happy. I remember Amma tearing up, when she saw me with a 9-month belly at the airport,I will never forget the look on her face - pure joy!
Appa and Amma arrived about a week before my due date, and I had strict dietary restrictions and I was only allowed to eat fruits with no restrictions. I went through a phase of papaya, apples and finally reached watermelons by the final trimester. S was juggling many things, (it's a new country and Appa and Amma had never been abroad before this). He promised that he would pick it up for me after work and left for the day.
By evening, I was pleasantly surprised to see Appa walk home with watermelons!!! When I asked him, how he managed to buy it (as everybody speaks french. It's not easy to shop there). He said " Oh! I picked up the watermelons, went to the cashier, looked at the screen and paid the bill - did'nt need to say anything"!
I was very emotional, vulnerable and in absolute panic ( about my delivery) - but a bite of that juicy watermelon filled my heart with joy. Frankly, I did'nt think he would venture out alone, let alone buy watermelons. I know he did it coz he loved me.
I was very, very scared that everything should go well and Baby Girl should arrive safe and sound. I would look at my ever-growing belly and freak out. S is definitely zen and calming, but its his first time too. Appa and Amma, despite all odds being there, really helped, reassured me and their constant words were " all is well...all is well". I remember calling them, after delivering Baby Girl, within half hour to inform that everything went well and she has arrived. Appa and Amma could not believe that I was talking to them almost instantly. Their voices were filled with absolute delight. How lucky am i, right?.
When we came home with the baby, he came down to receive us, I was so touched coz they were "home" for me in every way. Appa and Amma did everything they could, to make it as smooth as possible for me. Unexpectedly, their visa was issued for a very short time, so they had to go back after 17 days or so. They initially planned to stay for a couple of months to help me with the baby. We tried our level best to extend the visa, but to no avail.
Every single day, for those 17 days, I would wake up to Appa and Amma, patietly peeling small onions or sambar vengayam. It is fried in ghee and fed to new mothers to heal the stomach. I can never look at small onions without thinking of Appa, among a million other things.
Appa is not a very enthusiastic traveller but he came to Paris only for me. The other day, I was looking for some pictures of him to send to Anna, and I saw a picture of Appa and I, on the Seine Cruise...it made me smile :)
We lived in the centre of Paris, with an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower from my living room,kitchen... every part of the house ...We would all walk together in the evenings to Champ De Mars, it's a picture taken casually on one such evening. I have lovely memories, of being a new mother, sharing the joy with Amma and Appa, will hold that moment close to my heart for eternity.
