Influential Elders - Reena Amma

Glad to be part of the series Influential Elders. I have quite a few who have influenced me one way or another and would love to share about them all one by one… Here’s introducing the first in my list - Reena Amma!

Reena Amma

Reena Amma was our neighbor when we moved to our new parental home. I remember I was in third grade then. Reena Amma became an instant friend of the family. The earliest memories of Reena Amma is when she used to buy jasmine flowers and pin it to our hair - for both myself and my sister.

A year or two later when Delightson was born, Reena Amma quickly mixed some sugar in water and gave us all a spoonful saying, 'You have got a baby brother!' Over the years we came to depend on Reena Amma for very many things.

Tooth is wiggly? Go to Reena Amma!
Thorn in the foot? Call Reena Amma!
Scraped the knee? Call Reena Amma!
Fever? Remedies by Reena Amma!
Sugar is over? Borrow from Reena Amma!
Change for Rs.100? Reena Amma!
Quickly borrow some cash? Reena Amma!
Feed Snowy while we are away? Reena Amma!
Cut a jack fruit? Take a piece to Reena Amma!
Grandma brought murukkus? Share with Reena Amma!
Madhan got low grades? Rescue him from Reena Amma! :)
New clothes? Show it to Reena Amma!
... & many many more

As I said, Reena Amma was our immediate solution for many things big and small. She was our instant banker, doctor, advisor all combined into one. Reena Amma would frequently make some sweets and bring it over. Cooked something nice? She would be sure to share with us.

Above all! When Papa suddenly departed us, it was Reena Amma, Appa and children who rushed to help. Madhan, Deepan, Vincy, Vinodh they were of huge help from showering to shaving to all other arrangements. Night and day they were there till we arrived and all else took place. I am forever grateful for their love for us, their constant availability to our beck and call and their willingness to hold us dear. We can never pay back for everything they have done.

It has been few years now since I last saw Reena Amma. They built a new home and moved away, and whenever I visit from USA, she is out of town, for whatever reason we haven't met in a very long time. With the frequently changing cell phone numbers it is hard to get hold of her on the phone too.

But to tell you the truth I often remember her love for us. We too love them much and wish them the best. I am sure she has no doubt about it - our Reena Amma, sorry Deepan Amma!

P.S: Last statement was modified to fit in Deepan's request in the comment section below... Deepan must be happy now :))