Wednesday, July 14, 2010

The Grand Bond

Every evening our apartment complex buzzes with lots of activities. As I go out for walks, I see school going children whizzing on their bicycles, teenagers talking about music or talking about the days happenings in their schools/ colleges, men and women doing their daily quota of walking, running or jogging, senior citizens enjoying either singing devotional songs, or having a healthy dose of exercise as part of their laughing club activity, young couple proudly pushing the pram with their cute little babies, maids taking out their wards to the play area and so on. 

That evening, as I was walking, a little girl about two years of age and her grandfather were walking hand in hand, both engrossed deep in conversation oblivious to the world around them! That pretty sight made for an enchanting picture for me. Apart from all the activities that goes on in the apartment complex that I have described above, what I enjoy the most is seeing the interactions between grandparents and grandchildren! It is a very heartwarming sight seeing the older and the younger generation sharing that very special bond with each other!

I see many grandparents leisurely walking their grandchildren in a stroller, some of them playing cricket, some of them teaching their grandchildren the art of cycling, and so on. When we go to the grocery store, It is a common sight to see grandparents indulging their grandchildren with lots of goodies like packets of chips, cookies or chocolates! The wide beaming smile on the grandchildren's face bears testimony to the fact that they know how easy it is to coax grandparents to get them all their favourites, which they very well know cannot be done with their parents!  

Both grandparents and grandchildren share a very, very special bond between them. What can be more precious than when the grandparents live together with their children and grandchildren? Who better to make their favourite dishes according to their whims and fancies and that too at all odd times? Yes, the grandmother. When they get hurt and need that sympathy factor who better than grandparents to fuss around them. When they get into some mischief and monkey business, who better to act as their shield than their grandparents? Who is their magic genie who can and will try to make all their wishes come true? The grandparents. Who better than the grandmother in her lilting, soothing voice narrating the epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata or Panchatantra at night and bringing all these characters live.

The unconditional love that grandparents have for their grandchildren makes this relationship a very special and treasured bond. These special moments show that grandchildren need their grandparents as much as the latter needs the former. While the grandchildren are actually passing through their childhood, the grandparents are reliving their childhood days through their grandchildren. And as I watch this relationship, I realise that both of them are actually acting as anchors to each other. While one is just beginning to fathom the mysteries of the world, the other enjoys in unravelling the mysteries during their twilight years once again.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

So GRANDLY said.. it is a lovely bond and something kids living overseas away from the grandparents miss so very much.

shobhana shenoy said...

Thanks for the comment. Yes Indians staying abroad would definitely miss this special bond that the grandparents would have shared with their grandchildren. They will only be visitors coming home once in two to three years. Grandchildren therefore will not be able to forge that bond within a short span of a month.

Paramjit said...

...so very true, unfortunately I've also seen some 'highly educated', very successful parents calculating the "worth" of staying with parents. Wish they read this and get the answers

Ravishankar said...

It just reminds me of one particular incident which occured everyday whenever i used to visit my grandparents.I used to love chocolates and i used to ask my granddad to buy me one. He used to buy me Gems everyday inspite of my mom scolding him. I used to eat the chocolate from the shop till the moment i reach the door of my home. As soon as i reach the entrance of our home, i used to throw the chocolate in the gutter nearby. My mom used to scold me and my granddad used to protect me. I really miss my granddad who must be having a nice time in heaven watching me grow.:(:(:(

Ravishankar said...

Good post... Nostalgia!!

shobhana shenoy said...

Thanks Paramjit,
Yes human nature sometimes is such that it tends to be very calculative. Relationships and its value gets totally undermined.But I feel true happiness and peace eludes people when one thinks of gaining something materialistic out of a relationship.

shobhana shenoy said...

Thanks Ravishankar,
Well that is what grandparents are there for aren't they - to pamper and giving into their grandchildren's wish every time much to the dismay of the mother who thinks too much pampering makes the child a spoilt brat :)

Anonymous said...

One of the reasons for us to move back to India. We didnt want kids or grandparents to miss out on the special bond with eachother.
Its fun site to see my most favorite persons bonding with eachother. :)

shobhana shenoy said...

Hey that was a very big decision that you guys made. This will be cherished however by all three generations. Great.