Friday, February 09, 2007

A quick tale 166

Aged 76

Don't listen to what they say. They have no clue how good this makes me feel. Ignore your mother. For what does she know? I know people think it's odd that you should address me by my first name. But what's their problem if I'm fine with it? You see, when you get to my age, there are few people left to call you by name. Just the other day I met a friend of your mother's. And she introduced me to her husband as 'So-&-So's Amma'. I don't think she even knew my name. I'm sure there are a whole lot of others to whom I'm just 'Mrs So-&-So' or 'Such-&-Such Aunty' or 'This-or-That Paati'. Sometimes I long to be just me. I yearn to hear my name called out. Like my mother used to. When she wanted me to come inside because it was getting dark. Like my father would when came home from work and didn't find me rushing to greet him. Like your grandfather did when he wrote all those wonderful letters to me, all those years ago. You, my child, take me back to the time when I too was a young girl. And everybody knew my name.

12 comments:

Shammi said...

I do really really like this one!

Anonymous said...

Ammani,

This makes me feel good everyday. Your writing inspires me a lot to blog. So natural.

Subha

Anonymous said...

this is a really nice story! thank you! it is always a pleasure reading ur quick tales!

Anonymous said...

This one is simply brilliant.

Anonymous said...

wonderful - bound to strike a chord in everyone (i am just 30 and i can already relate).
i remember my periappa used to call his mom by name and thapi (long story) loved it!

Anonymous said...

I mayn't subscribe to the tag 'tale', but this is really an intresting writing. I really liked it

Unknown said...

What a story...My husband and I are Periappa and Periamma to all the kids in our circle, thanks to my nephew and niece. In fact, when one of the kids saw me in the school, she was heard telling her friend, 'this is Periamma aunty, my mama's friend!!'So much for identity!

Raga said...

Very realistic story. This is the same way you feel when kids in your locality stop callling you 'Anna' and begin addressing you as 'Uncle'!. Well no body wants to grow old. Will we?

Varsha said...

Nice....so damn nice and true!

Usha said...

endearing..lovely

monu said...

i absolutely loved this one..
i think i like this the most among all that you have written
:)
i actually have no words to express how much i like it

Believer said...

A nice write up.Truly strikes a chord to everyone's heart. Keep writing