My Grandma died recently. My Grandpa died a few years ago. I was very fond of them. I used to call them Buddoo (I don't really remember why) and Upua (which meant grandma in Burmese. Yes, she was from Burma). In time though they became to be known as Papa and Piya. There are a lot of good memories of the time spent with them. He was a big man and she, in her prime, was very much what mum looks like (at least I think so). Papa would talk to Piya really sweetly and affectionately but she would tell him to get lost every time. It was funny. But they loved each other. After Papa died, he didn't leave her side and we all know it. There was time one time when my sister, my dad and I were walking outside the house and this old man walked up to my sister. He has the same tweed hat Papa used to wear, the same huge belly and in his every step I could see my grandfather. He spoke to Nadu for a little while and then disappeared. My dad can vouch for that. It was a weird experience but it just went to show how much he loved my grandmother. I cherish memories I spent with cousins there at their house. Sadly, those are all that remain.
The house was sold soon after my grandpa's death. My grandpa was shifted to Mumbai to live with my aunty. My cousins, who lived in the house above them, moved to Australia and I live with them now. I still think of the days we spent running around the block playing hide and seek and picking up random stray kittens and stuff like that.
Almost every summer my cousins and I would meet up and hang out for about a month. The fact that we all stayed in different parts of the country made it so much exciting. There was trip we used to make to Pizza Corner which had like this play pen. We'd all jump into it and just pretty much be little kids. The food, on top of that, was something else. I recall my cousin Katrina being a really fussy eater and once ate plain rice with tomato sauce. She was in the 8th grade then. I also remember my superman antics when I climbed the ledge of the roof and was contemplating jumping across to the other side. There was a fair gap in between. Kat went and told mum and then.. well I'll leave that to your imagination. My grandfather would tell us weird stories at night some of which I still remember. There was a small 15' inch TV in the living room and a piano. Numerous battles were fought for possession of the TV no matter how small the time the victor had it for. Little Rascals (quick what's the number for 911? How should I know? was a good movie we watched together besides the TV show Buffy the vampire slayer (they cut the puppet's head) and cartoon network, namely, Scooby Doo and Popeye. Pure bliss. I wouldn't mind reliving those days.
They say time preserves all. I smile every time I think of the days that we had there and with them. My grandparents were wonderful people and gave us great parents. I am thankful to them for that and for everything else.
I miss you guys.
"For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity" - William Penn
