There are few people whom you regard as a second mother. One such amazing lady I was fortunate enough to have known, love and be loved by was my periamma (Visalam) as she was known. She was a sweet soul who didn't let what must have been a tough life dent her spirit and kindness. She made life sweeter for anyone who knew her.
As an elder sister in a traditional family she was instrumental in fighting for her much younger sister (my mother's) higher education at a time when it wasn't deemed important/necessary. The benefit of that is something my brother and I have seen/enjoyed throughout our childhood. Her rapport with young kids was something that not many people have. She taught us what humanity and empathy meant by both word and deed. She was a feminist in her own way and I remember her very serious advice to a (very young happily working) me not to get married. Her words were to the effect that women with career goals shouldn't get married , that they didn't need a man to run their life and that the traditional Indian marriage was always unfair/detrimental to the woman in the equation. She was truly well ahead of her times and her advice is something that I very seriously considered while weighing the whole picture including the power of companionship.
We spent many a happy summer vacations at her place. Library books, great yummy food and a lot of rest was all we did and it used to be a relaxing experience. She was known for her tasty tomato rasam that was unparalleled. Her soft mellifluous voice as she addressed kids was something unique that could possibly pacify and comfort any child. There was nothing that her voice, rasam or a few minutes of sleep with one's head resting in her lap couldn't cure.
After amma's demise she was one of the few precious people I could see her spirit in and now with her being gone life feels incomplete again. However, she lived a long fulfilling life and made a difference for everyone around her. I am truly grateful for having known her and making priceless memories that will give me pleasure forever. She will live on through the memories she leaves behind.
