End of an Era

As I opened the yellow gate the house came into view. It was not just a house but a home to me. In that house lived my appapan and ammama. To be factually accurate, the brother and sister of my appapan and ammama.


Vadakel (North), as the house was often referred to, was the ultimate summer vacation sanctuary. Just across the grounds from my grandfathers house was this quaint house with all the love the world had to offer.

I can't assimilate enough words to describe my experiences in that house and the grounds around it. Every day on those grounds was an adventure away from "home". My brothers and I would play around the house for ours and ammama would finally call us in for snacks and sweets. Life was good!

Ammama passed away last week and with that ends all my connections with that house. I feel broken and separated from a very important part of me. The memories feel so distant and I struggle to remember every detail and smile.

I wish I could go back and be that same boy again running around the house with not a care in the world. But I guess this is the end of that era.

Comments

AMF said…
Hey Frank,
I just read this and was reminded of all of us spending time at Vadekel... At the funeral I remember thinking about the little wall that lines the driveway and us going up and down them endlessly. I was very upset on hearing about ammama, too. That whole generation is gone. She was one of the reasons we used to go back to Kerala. She looked so peaceful. To me she was an iron woman.... there were so many things I admired in her. One that tops the list is her independence until the end. I wish i could be half of what she was.

I hope she is looking down at us and praying...

See all of you soon!!!!
Priya
2:03 AM
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