My mother was hospitalised for three months. It was a testing time not only for her but for all of us. During this period apart from her treatment, it was essential for all of us to keep a positive attitude. Biggest challenge was for her as she was the one who was in the hospital! During this period she became very popular with the hospital staff. The reason was very simple - lying on the bed she used to prescribe medicines to the staff left right and centre. This was also accompanied with counselling services of all types. "Aaji" (word for grand mother in Marathi) had become very popular while we were little worried about her enthusiasm in practicing medicine lying on the hospital bed.....
One day as her sodium levels dipped, the doctors decided to shift her to the ICU from the recovery centre. While the preparations were on , one of the maid servants came in - unaware of Aaji's medical condition. "Aaji what is the remedy you had told me for the cracks on my feet" - My mother stopped the process of her transfer on stretcher and explained the remedy. The young lady doctor finally chased away the maid servant and patiently explained my mother that she can continue her practice after she returns from ICU! Not very happy with the interruption my mother scolded the young doctor who seemed to strangely enjoy the scolding....... Honestly little embarrassing me!
On the other occasion I had taken her for some sonography tests. The lady doctor there seemed to be in the 9th month of her pregnancy. Intuitively I was nervous as counselling pregnant ladies happens to be my mother's super-specialisation. "why are you working near these machines?" I lacked the courage to continue in the room and disappeared leaving her to be looked after by the attendant and my helpless elder sister! Later on my sister told me that the lady doctor seem to actually listen to some of the counselling tips carefully!!
...... My mother seems to have an uncanny knack of asking anything to anyone. Anybody below sixty years age is considered young enough for her. We have tried talking her out of it a few times explainig the modern day concepts of personal space and privacy. So far we have failed spectacularly in all our attempts. Strangely enough people seem to enjoy the liberties she takes with them!
....I have never understood this phenomenon quite clearly but I feel that people perhaps respond to the purity of her intent. She has gone through a very hard life like many from her generation but those hardships have not created any cynicism in her. During her active life she was a teacher and I remember that she never differentiated between us and her students. She was an extremely tough teacher. Her specialisation was to take under her wings - students who would fail in at least a couple of subjects and ensure that they pass their exams with flying colours. May be this is the reason why even today many of her students touch her feet whenever they meet her. There was no parent counselling in her teaching style as she would herself double up as parent to her students rather than 'escalating' anything to the parents.
...... Over the years I have marvelled at her ability to be consistently politically incorrect but still very popular
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would have loved to have one such 'Aaji' with me, too..God bless her!
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