Grandma's funeral

Grandma's  funeral 

The old grandma has passed on

Over three generations, she lived a quiet life 

Following the decorum of her different roles - 

Mostly a weathered mother, a widowed wife

The last few months were very hard

No one knowing really what to do 

As Parkinson’s crept over the frail body

Freezing her limbs first, then her voice too.

Her two grown sons in a different city 

Wallowing in their failures, blaming each other 

Let the daughter step up as the caregiver 

Who patiently tended to her ailing mother

It was not an easy task for the daughter

But she had promised her father a long time back

So for days, for weeks and months, in silence 

She showed a sense of duty, which her brothers lacked. 

The end came that morning -  slow yet peaceful

The daughter was with her mother - right by her side.

Then said “let my brothers now decide the funeral proceedings

For by the old traditions we must abide.”

The brothers arrived at the sister’s home

Leading the rites as the priest instructed them to do

While the daughter, her duty done, sat right behind 

With her own little granddaughter asking a question or two

about the newness of the rituals she saw around,

of the men doing everything that needed to be done.

The granduncles missing when her great grandmom was alive 

But in death - taking the place of the dutiful sons.

And when it was time for the final journey 

The body was carried out by four able-shouldered men

The little one asked her grandma why her father - the grandson, 

Was called upon to be one of them 

"The path that leads to the heavens is dark

The grandsons are required to show the light 

for their grandmother to find her way.

Now hush li’l one; do be quiet” 

 But the child, still intrigued, refused to be hushed

said "Paati don't you see

You don't have any grandsons now

And in the future there never will be!"

And with tiny arms anxious to comfort

She hugged her grieving grandma tight. 

And said "Paati don't you worry, for when you need it 

I, your granddaughter, will show you the light"

And as I saw both of them sitting together in silence

Bound by love and grief, it was clear to me

That it was also a moment to silently celebrate 

the winds of new traditions blowing over this family.