My beautiful mother Vimla Madan, passed away today. Peacefully and disease free at 92. No blood pressure, no heart disease, no diabetes, and not on any medications, not even a vitamin pill, since she was in her late forties I would guess, except the odd homeopathic remedy and daily long and brisk walks, till the last couple of years.
After retiring from over three decades of Government service in the Ministry of Defense in 1980, she fulfilled her desire and travelled all over Indian with her friend Miss Keskar. The two women went all the way to Kanyakumari and she even stopped to visit me in Bombay.
In her 60's she was introduced to Sahaja Yoga and that became her daily routine followed by a long session of Acupressure. She liked to care for her plants, and feed the birds when she could.
It took me several hours to write about her here, and I am doing so at the behest of some of my childhood friends who have inundated me with loving messages.
My mother leaves behind a rich legacy of first and foremost fulfilling her duties, being true her heart, to live to her highest potential, laugh and love and forgive easily. Her good habits, her generosity of spirit will be a hard act to follow.
Mummy was highly educated, obtaining a Master's degree at a time when it was not uncommon for girls to not finish high school. She was extremely accomplished, studied Hindi and French as an adult, because her education was in English and her second language was Urdu. She could knit at the speed of light and wrote even faster.
She loved painting and reading and writing long letters to me, this bequeathing me with a wealth that is beyond riches. At 78, she learned how to use a Mac notebook or 'Apple' computer, so she could read her favorite newspapers, The Times of India and the Deccan Herald. She also wrote emails to me, when she wanted me to know something in a hurry!
I can only hope that I can keep her goodness alive in the way I lead my life, and what I bequeath to my children. Words really fail me, so I'm telling her stories, but they say far too little about her.
Mummy lived a good life, and I think she will want me to celebrate that. She travelled alone till she was 86 years old, coming frequently to visit me first in Australia and in the USA. She has touched many lives and we are all the richer for having been touched by her presence in our lives.
I'll probably have to add to this, Mummy. There is so much of your life to celebrate! Meanwhile I will let you Rest. Rest in eternal Peace. I know you've earned it. I love you, as I always have and forever will. Veenu xoxoxoxo
Copyrighted Veenu Banga 2015.
After retiring from over three decades of Government service in the Ministry of Defense in 1980, she fulfilled her desire and travelled all over Indian with her friend Miss Keskar. The two women went all the way to Kanyakumari and she even stopped to visit me in Bombay.
In her 60's she was introduced to Sahaja Yoga and that became her daily routine followed by a long session of Acupressure. She liked to care for her plants, and feed the birds when she could.
It took me several hours to write about her here, and I am doing so at the behest of some of my childhood friends who have inundated me with loving messages.
My mother leaves behind a rich legacy of first and foremost fulfilling her duties, being true her heart, to live to her highest potential, laugh and love and forgive easily. Her good habits, her generosity of spirit will be a hard act to follow.
Mummy was highly educated, obtaining a Master's degree at a time when it was not uncommon for girls to not finish high school. She was extremely accomplished, studied Hindi and French as an adult, because her education was in English and her second language was Urdu. She could knit at the speed of light and wrote even faster.
She loved painting and reading and writing long letters to me, this bequeathing me with a wealth that is beyond riches. At 78, she learned how to use a Mac notebook or 'Apple' computer, so she could read her favorite newspapers, The Times of India and the Deccan Herald. She also wrote emails to me, when she wanted me to know something in a hurry!
I can only hope that I can keep her goodness alive in the way I lead my life, and what I bequeath to my children. Words really fail me, so I'm telling her stories, but they say far too little about her.
Mummy lived a good life, and I think she will want me to celebrate that. She travelled alone till she was 86 years old, coming frequently to visit me first in Australia and in the USA. She has touched many lives and we are all the richer for having been touched by her presence in our lives.
I'll probably have to add to this, Mummy. There is so much of your life to celebrate! Meanwhile I will let you Rest. Rest in eternal Peace. I know you've earned it. I love you, as I always have and forever will. Veenu xoxoxoxo
Copyrighted Veenu Banga 2015.
2 comments:
This article has indeed refreshed every memory of Biji in my heart. She had always been a constant source of inspiration and encouragement for me as well as for everyone around her. No amount of words can ever explain how extraordinary she was and how beautifully and remarkably she lived her life. There is so much to learn from her lifestyle and persona. I certainly believe that she is looking after each one of from Heaven showering us with love and affection as she always have. She will always be in my heart and thoughts.
Dearest Biji,
You are dearly missed. Rest in peace.
Love
Tarzan
Veenu,
You were blessed with a mother who was the best in every sense of the word.
You described her very well. I can read your description of her (so beautifully written that I can read again and again, admiring both of you, every time I finished reading it) and can easily see the strong bond that existed between the two of you. I never met her but I truly
wish I did. You are both, very very special to me. May God bless her very precious soul!
- Gurcharan
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