AVO passed away, aged 96, on January 11 (last Saturday).
We were sad, but happy too; she and my late grandpa were finally be united on January 12, his birthday and the day she was returned to dust. The last time they spent it together was in 1958; he breathed his last in 1959.
I overheard someone say at the funeral, “ Twas’ a funeral befitting a great lady.” And a great woman she was.
We spent many waking hours discussing the various moods and avatars of Avo. Hardworking, generous, enthusiastic, compassionate, strong-willed. And funny. She entertained us with stories of her bizarre dreams, the funniest being that I have eloped with an African! Another memory we cherish, is when we (grandkids) hosted a fashion show at a family. The show-stopper was Avo! She was a good sport even at the ripe old age of 87 (maybe more), wrinkles, and all.
The archbishop said a special prayer for her on the day she died; she was a great fan of his. Of course, he is close to my uncle, but she presumed he came to see her, and my uncle did nothing to dispel this. She often recited a prayer, given to her by the archbishop. In fact she flaunted it to all and sundry, like a child, who can’t help but show off, a brand new and special gift. She was made of such innocence, enthusiasm, a zest for life, and sincerity!
My uncle, mom, and the rest of the family sobbed bitterly. My dad sobbed much, too. Besides many other things, she was a peaceful mother-in-law. Avo’s maid walked around looking dejected. She genuinely loved her and performed those chores (bedpan, bath, et al), with great love.
Pepper, the little black spaniel, seemed to have lost her appetite, and every now and then, lumbered up the stairs, too gaze, intently at my grandma’s body lying in the coffin, on the ground floor. She topped greeting visitors with her usual token (a coconut shell, a little something from the trashcan, a piece of cloth lying strewn around).
My cousin, who is expecting her first baby, who could not make it back to Goa. If anyone deserved to attend Avo’s funeral it was she; avo and she have great history, comprising the good, the bad and the ugly.
She will be loved…
Beautiful.