A crystal - clear childhood memory (I was about 9 years old) is of this song playing at 11:00 pm and watching my parents waltz (or was it just simply sway?) to Glenn Madeiros' crooning.
Watching my parents laugh together, grieve together, work together and (last but definitely not the least) fight together has been, to say the least, an educational experience.
My mother subscribes to the view (lifted from Everybody Loves Raymond) that every marriage must have room for hate. And God knows that when they're arguing the vituperation they spew sometimes looks exactly like that.
Of course, being secure that they're meant to be together, I've spent a good part of growing up holding on to my sides while I laughed my head off (and to tell the truth, even adding fuel to the fire for my entertainment)at their fights and their agreements.
That being said, the tiny gestures they make for each other are nonpareil.
-Dad floored Mom with a delivery of 24 long-stemmed, red roses on the day of their jadhakamkhoda (engagement)
-Mom is rather shy so Dad dared her to hold his hand on the kalyanamandapam. So, the photos of the exchange of rings has everyone laughing, for she neatly tricked him and floored him by holding his hand then. Family lore says he was mumbling "That's not fair" with a wide grin on his face. Apparently, the terms included the loser serve tea in bed to the winner the morning after. I wonder what my paternal grandparents had to say to that !!!
-Dad will call up everyday just to hear her voice (and if one of them is out of town, the tempo is stepped up to an embarassing 5 calls a day, at least).
-Mom will not eat her dinner till he comes home (and during season time, that is sometimes 2:00 am).
Ah, I could go on, but some of the instances which are important to me might seem mundane to an impartial observer. These priceless memories wove the tapestry of a happy and cherished childhood ; they are my true inheritance.
It has been said that "An anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday, and the hopes of tomorrow."
Twenty seven years and counting... I wonder how they manage it. One person for the rest of your life, it sounds warm and fuzzy and yet kinda scary at the same time.
With God's grace, may silver turn to gold and diamond, Dad and Mom.
Happy Anniversary. I love you two beyond measure.
Doctor Witch
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
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