Amul Anna
last night i got back from madras, and found that Amul anna had died the day before. and it didnt sink in for a while. only on friday had i taken the cycle to him and he had as usual changed the valve tube but refused to take any money. a final act of generosity among many many that am only now acknowledging.. wish i could have said more than just the regular and almost mechanical "Thanks na" before scurrying off.
it was a long relationship. for nearly twelve years, twice a week i've gone to him and exchanged friendly chit chat over the two minutes it took him to fill the tires with air. somehow it never occured to get to know him more. he had looked unhappy of late and the warmth missing.. but life was too busy to stop and enquire.
i had taken him for granted, and now..
its a vaccum that cant be filled so easily.
last night i got back from madras, and found that Amul anna had died the day before. and it didnt sink in for a while. only on friday had i taken the cycle to him and he had as usual changed the valve tube but refused to take any money. a final act of generosity among many many that am only now acknowledging.. wish i could have said more than just the regular and almost mechanical "Thanks na" before scurrying off.
it was a long relationship. for nearly twelve years, twice a week i've gone to him and exchanged friendly chit chat over the two minutes it took him to fill the tires with air. somehow it never occured to get to know him more. he had looked unhappy of late and the warmth missing.. but life was too busy to stop and enquire.
i had taken him for granted, and now..
its a vaccum that cant be filled so easily.
posted by naveen at
8:40 PM
6 Comments:
:(
By
Partha, at Wednesday, February 13, 2008
I knew I wanted to say something here. But I am not getting words. May be that has something to say!
By
Sangeetha Sriram, at Saturday, February 23, 2008
Yeah he didn't just fill your two minutes, he filled your tires with precious air...and even after he's gone his memory will still ocassionally gnaw your empty moments with unfulfilled rememberance of a time and a missed opp gone by....we do do that unfortunate for too many wonderful gentle people around us, don't we?
By
Anonymous, at Friday, March 28, 2008
yes..
By
Naveen, at Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Your words touched a raw spot inside which i thought had healed!The 3 months mom faught cancer I spent regreting all that i wanted to do for her which i postponed because i was making a living. Making a living, we forget to live.
Usha Soman ( remember me?)
By
ushasoman, at Thursday, June 19, 2008
ofcourse usha, you were an inspiration during some desperate times. and tht 'power of now' you put in my hands has been life changing. it wouldn't be possible to forget you.
Thanks :)
By
Naveen, at Thursday, June 26, 2008
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