The sun rose in the eastern sky for the last time in 2018 and my mother's blue and green love birds that she cared for so dearly chirped and went about their morning business. They say that birds can sense a change in their environment. They were very quiet around the 29th of December. Was it the cold wet day that made then so quiet or was it because that was the day that my mother passed away leaving us to walk among the angels?
My mother Anny Koshy was born in God's own country- Kerala. At the age of 18 she travelled across India to the north eastern state of Assam to fulfil her fervent desire to become a doctor. While pursuing her MBBS she met my father Dr Aroon Das. They felt an instant attraction for one another and started a journey of love that has lasted a lifetime- the stuff that movies are made of!
My mother lived a very disciplined life. She taught us the importance of healthy living. Her morning walks are legendary for their punctuality, as well as the post walk laughter sessions she had with her friends all of who are at least 10 years her junior and from different socio-economic strata.
Dr Anny Das became a well-known personality in the Uzanbazar area of Guwahati. Her lifetime of service as a doctor has left her patients full of anecdotes about her compassionate and selfless nature.Her humour and wit would often cure the sick even before they actually started their medication.
Not many people knew this, but Anny was a woman of many enduring talents. Not only was she a great mother and wife, she was also a talented sportswoman. She was the best female athlete in her medical college, and she was also a swimmer for many years. Never in her entire life did she let her gender hold her back. She was a glowing example for both me and my sister of the fact that a woman can truly achieve anything that she puts her mind to. Even at the age of 81,she adapted to the ever-growing technological world.She would gladly converse with her family and friends using WhatsApp, share selfie images and even book Uber cabs.
Above all else however, travelling was her true passion- be it to the Lake District in UK or to visit her favourite grandchild in Bangalore. Her mind would never stop planning: new curtains, a trip to visit the Maasai Mara tribes of Kenya or creating a culinary dish for her family to savour. She was truly such a multifaceted woman that I find it hard now to encapsulate the essence of her whole being onto paper.
We will miss you Ma, in all the coming years of our lives. I know you will always be with us, forever smiling and happy.
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