I am not a very birthday celebrations, plans and all that kind of person. Most of my birthdays are quiet with my family and a visit to the temple and some new stuff that I buy.
This year has been quite different with lots of cousins around and a big unexpected celebration and lots of fun. I kind of enjoyed it a lot. My kiddo was equally excited about this whole thing and the cake that he considers rightfully his irrespective of whose birthday it happens to be.
The best part of this birthday (and yes its not the years) was that my granny (Ammamaa - Mom's Mom) was with us and so we were actually 4 generations celebrating this whole thing together. We managed to take her to a Chinese joint where she just sat (I know its mean) but we had fun. Her coming was an achievement of sorts considering that she hails from a very remote village in Andhra Pradesh where there is still untouchability practiced.
She is one lady whom I epitomize - she was married off at 6 yrs of age, had 5 kids lost her husband at 39 yrs of age. Has lived her life with a very clear conscience. Her daughters in law are as close to her as her daughters. She has lived life in the actual orthodox Brahman way that the society demanded. She doesn't attend weddings ( if she does she is in the backstage). She doesn't converse with her sons-in-law directly. In the village she bathes in the morning doesn't touch anyone and performs her 2 hour puja. The house is washed when an onion is cooked.
The milkman that milks the cows is not allowed into the main entrance - he just places the milk outside the gate, she sprinkles turmeric water and then brings that into the kitchen. The maid has a special entrance and is not allowed into the house. All these rules are laid very clearly for all of us to follow when we go to her setup.
She comes to Hyderabad - takes the autos and the buses when required. Shops around with us in general bazaar with the same Enthusiasm that we exhibit, jokes around with my sis that she will wear jeans when she comes to the US. She even suggested a one shoulder frock for my cousin who is in grade 5 for her class party and then she comes to a Chinese restaurant without even batting an eyelid or wondering about the various dishes she will have to smell and see.
All this without a single sign of discomfort, if I were only half as considerate as her and half as adaptable as her the corporate world would be a breeze. We have issues at workplace which are much more sillier and simpler than this lady's adaptability issues. The basic difference is - We choose to Magnify while She chooses to Accommodate.
I learnt a very important lesson in Adaptability and Resilience to change on this Birthday of mine, probably these are signs of growing wiser as one ages. I began my journey on the other side of 30 with a very important lesson. I respect her and draw inspiration from here forever in matters like these. The simplicity with which she handles situations like these and makes it so easy for her family is amazing. I am just wondering how much it will take for us to get there.
