And just like that .. Farewell Bhuaji

Last week I lost a dear family member – at this point however I am not too sure whether I should actually say dear ‘estranged’ .. which would actually be the correct word.

My aunt (as I knew her … years back) was a very sweet and always-on-the-go sort of person. She was multi-talented and faceted in her personality and was always trying to make me look beautiful by stitching for me the trendiest of clothes to wear. You know you sometimes feel like always being a small child .. well where my relationship with her is concerned I too wish that my last memories of her were as pure and innocent as those of years ago!

Bhuaji .. it may not not make any sense to anyone reading this post .. and I have no way of knowing whether my few words for you will ever reach you .. but please here accept my few words in tribute to a very hard working soul who was fortunate to attain release from this one cycle of life ..

Serenity

Today .. I remember you as someone who was physically short and small .. but with a smile on your face for big and small ..
I remember the time when you helped me make the transition from a child to young adult .. and then a teenager .. remember bhuaji I lost my first ever milk tooth at your home and wrapped it up in cotton to throw it on the shed .. the same shed that took you away from us ..
I remember the time when you stitched a beautiful green dress .. a dress that I admired from the moment you first cut out the material .. and then you gifted it to me for my birthday! So kind and sweet … you were my Babbu Bhua …
I remember the time you were displeased by your name … yet every time anyone called you using the same name your face would light up …
I remember how you would sternly yet lovingly reprimand Bhaiya ji for calling you ‘Harkeert’ .. how you would tell him that you are ‘Babbu’ and not me …
Then like every story came a period of darkness .. clouds drowned out the sunlight … putting a blanket of darkness on our relationship …
Oh! the ugly fights and angry words .. followed by a period of uncomfortable and hurting silence .. did you feel it too .. ?
We both grew up .. lost touch and then after years and years we met again .. this particular meeting is special .. different from the superficial polite saluts made for the benefit of onlookers over the past years …
I walk by past you but you call my name .. I stop .. scared to actually believe what my ears just heard .. your sweet voice calling name after a period of famine in a land of precious love lost!
I look back .. not too sure of whether I should hug you .. shake your hands or simply fold my hands and greet you with the ‘Sat Sri Akal’ …?
Too many years wasted and not wanting to waste any more I step up to you and envelope you in an embrace .. short though it was but worth a soothing a balm to wounds of years gone ..
Little was I to know that that was the last I would see of you …
And now you are gone .. I am thankful that our last meeting mirrored some of the love that we had .. for that I am forever thankful .. Dhan Guru Naanak
You were the youngest in the family and to a large extent the strongest .. may Guru ji grant and bless your soul eternal peace .. if you are to come back to this earth I pray that Guru Ji make it your last and may your soul be liberated ..
Be happy and look over Amrit .. she will need you … it may be too late .. but if you can guide those who are astray .. life is too short .. becomes even shorter when trying to live it with animosity and anger towards those close to you ..
Please accept this as my final tribute to you ..
Regardless of what transpired .. you will always be loved …

Advertisement