My grandmother’s story of strength and resilience

By Sakshi Kulkarni

Meet my grandmother, Ms Lata Kulkarni, a kind-hearted soul in her mid-sixties, whose world was turned upside down by the sudden loss of her son, Anand. It’s been a year and a half since that fateful day when our family’s joy turned to sorrow, but my grandmother’s unwavering love and resilience have been a source of strength for us all.

Anand [fondly called Ani mama] was the youngest of her three children, a bright light in our family. He was a medical representative by profession and spread joy wherever he went. His laughter filled our home, and his presence brought warmth to even the coldest of days.

Then, on a seemingly ordinary day, tragedy struck. Anand was at work when he collapsed, taken from us in an instant by a sudden cardiac arrest. The news of his passing shook our family to its core, leaving us reeling with shock and disbelief.

For my grandmother, the pain was unbearable. She had lost not just a son, but a piece of her heart. “I still remember that day,” she always says, her voice filled with sorrow. “It was like the world stopped turning, and I was left standing alone in the darkness.”

In the days that followed, grief consumed our home. Every corner echoed with the emptiness left by Anand’s absence. My grandmother struggled to come to terms with the loss, grappling with emotions she had never known before.

“It felt like I was drowning in sorrow,” she confessed, tears welling in her eyes. “I couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep – all I could think about was Anand and the life he should have had.”

But even in her darkest moments, my grandmother found strength. She drew on the love and support of our family, leaning on us for comfort and solace. Together, we navigated the turbulent waters of grief, holding onto each other as we struggled to find our way forward.

And slowly, ever so slowly, the pain began to ease. My grandmother learned to carry her grief like a heavy burden, allowing it to shape her without consuming her entirely. She spoke of Anand often, sharing stories of his life and the memories they had made together.

“He was my sunshine,” she said, a wistful smile on her lips. “And though he may be gone, his light still shines bright in my heart.”

As time passed, my grandmother found moments of peace amidst the pain. She took solace in the memories of Anand, cherishing the time they had shared and the love they had known.

“He may have left this world, but he will never leave my heart,” she said, her voice filled with love and longing. “As long as I’m here, I’ll never forget him, his memory will always keep me going.”

And so, we remember Anand – not with tears of sadness, but with smiles of gratitude for the time we had together. For though he may be gone, his spirit lives on in the love that binds our family together, guiding us through even the darkest of days.

In the end, it’s my grandma’s strong spirit and bravery that stand out. Even though it’s hard, she keeps going, showing us all how to be strong. She holds onto memories of her son, Anand, like a light in the dark. Every day, she faces life with courage, teaching us all about love and strength.

(The writer is a sixth semester BAJMC student of School of Media and Journalism, DY Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune.)

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