Role model in the form of grandma

 Life gives us all the ingredients to go ahead. Everyday a new lesson and experience is in store. From all that we learn, we become what and who we want to be. But sometimes, this life can fall short of teaching us everything. That is when we go back to our roots, our family. Every family member have their own insights to offer. But few among them outshine in our heart and mind that we start to look up to them for every answer. They are the pillar to support us, to lean on at times. They are the ones who watch our back. They are the role models of our life.

I should consider myself lucky to have 2 such inspiring persons, my grandparents. If it ever comes down to choosing, I can say that my grandmother has a larger share of contribution. From the time I can remember, she has always been my go-to person.

Don't we all give in to the human tendency to ignore the ones who matter the most and devote our energy to the ones who neither deserve it nor has ever tried to earn it? After so many years gone by, I wonder what kind of person I would have become if my grandmother was not around or if she was a different person from how I know her.

She taught me to be a strong in every possible way. Never a philosopher she was, but the experience she carries and imparts me with made it pretty clear that she was a rebel in her own terms. Life is all that we learn from our experiences and most primarily our mistakes. She taught me to be fearless and independent. Fear is good, keeps us alive, but fear that's makes us turn our back is toxic. Though, the after affects of her teachings was more than she initially intended. But now when I look at some girls of my age, it gives me satisfaction and content when I sit on a train looking forward to a 60 hour non-stop journey ready to face the Indian Railways and they react as if they are being sent to another planet all alone under similar circumstances. Not stereotyping girls but all I want to say that I feel blessed to realize what she meant when she said 'keep your goals in sight and the stepping stones will never be a problem'.

Gaining financial independence is one more thing I wish to have, thanks to her mentorship. She always said 'being a girl is the lamest excuse for not having a financial backbone'. Regardless of the family background and the capability of our better halves to take the entire responsibility of a family a constant income through steady and environment is always necessary. I remember myself being a kid when she said this and from then on I have always looked up to her.

In my memories of this lifetime, she might be one of those few grandmothers who said her grandchildren that cooking needs no expertise and is not the need of the hour. One can learn and master it at any point of time. It was her mantra and later mine that a lot can be done in life rather than spending time in kitchen. Maybe the only reason I never took any interest in culinary skills. But I will never say that she discouraged us from cooking as my sister turned out to be a person with above awesome cooking skills.

Respect is another thing that she has fitted in my brain and said that never judge someone by how much they earn. A mere smile to anyone who is financially not at your level can have countless benefits. Though I never figured out the benefits neither gave efforts in counting them, but a simple smile and greetings in return to mine from the security and house-keeping staffs in my office gives me a happiness I can never express.

She did try her best to teach me to be social with people and within limits but that's one of the things I failed to integrate in my life. Now, every time I land myself in a new place, the fact that I cannot socialise with people makes my family go almost berserk. Despite my efforts, I have realized that making instant friends will never be my cup of tea.

You must be wondering what made me write so much. This ain't to glorify my grandmother, but to all remember all that she has taught me and did for me in her own way. To use it to spread smiles around me and try my best to make this world a better place for someone. After all life is all about how much better you are than yesterday and many such tiny things everyday cumulates to make us realize this. Situations change, teachings don't.

Edited by Prabhashish Deb