As a child, a lot of my classmates in school felt jealous of me because I could enjoy with both my maternal and paternal grandparents. Most of them missed their love. I felt so blessed.
My paternal grandparents stayed in the same city while maternal grandparents in North India. Summer vacations meant travelling to meet them. When I was a child, I used to love my grandparents more than my parents. I felt parents were always strict while grandparents pampered and loved me to the core. I still love them more.
I have learnt a lot from them and their small things for me meant the world.
My first Maths teacher was my Dadaji and he was a pro at it. He made things easy and never scolded while Dad was damn strict. Money for chocolates while playing down was because of Dadaji. Whenever I got the remark from school it was always him I asked for the signature, he would be angry but eventually give in 🙂
My Dadiji is the world’s best cook. Whatever she made was tasty. Her Kadi Chawal was mindblowing. Till date, my Dad and uncles rank it the best. I think if ever in my life they say you made good food like her I would be an accomplished cook.
I used to get to see my Nanaji and Naniji just once a year so the love they showered on us was always extra. Those 10 days were the best days of my summer vacation. Naniji made Nanaji run and get us all the favourite stuff from the bazaar. The food made was of our choice. There were times when Kadi was made a day earlier but since we were coming, my Naniji still made it again because I love Kadi.
If I have learnt planning and family values it’s because of them. They always taught us lessons of life through simple examples and sayings. My heart still longs to see my Naniji once more. It’s been few years since she passed away but I miss her the most. I still feel she loves me more than my Mom.
My prized possessions are the letters sent by Naniji which I have still kept neatly. She made sure she calls us weekly and check on us. Never made us feel the distance. She may not be highly educated like us but as a person, she was much more evolved. She is my shining star who silently helps me whenever I am down.
Festivals are incomplete without Grandparents. The best Holi I celebrated was with my Nanaji and Naniji. Nanaji used to pamper with gifts whenever I excelled in studies. He used to treat the entire family with sweets. The value of gifts never mattered even getting a chocolate was so special. Winters meant some yummy Gajar Halwa by Dadiji.
I used to enjoy listening to their first-hand experience of pre Independence era as a child and the partition times. My role model are my grandparents, they would remain always. They were great visionaries and if I become a percentage of them I feel my life would be successful.
Grandparents are a blessing for a child. I am glad and blessed I had them to get so much love and right principles. The first time I came to know that Grandparents Day is also celebrated, was in school. We had a special programme and my Dadaji was with me 🙂
I never did anything great for them but speak to them and make a hand made a greeting card or paint a handkerchief as gifts.
On this Grandparents Day, I pray that my Dadaji remains in good health. I miss others, but they are there as my shining stars.
I look forward to hear from you how would you celebrate Grandparents Day. Do share a selfie with your grandparents on Sept. 10, 2017, on Twitter or Facebook with #LoveJatao & tag @blogadda to win a goodie from Parachute Advansed. #LoveJatao
