Who I Remembered on All Souls' Day

Last Sunday, 2nd Nov, was All Souls' Day in the Catholic Church. This is the day when we remember the deceased and mass is offered for them. I know a few people who have passed on, and these are my favourite memories of them.

Granny
Sadly, the clearest memory I have of Granny is of her on her deathbed at home. It was the first time I watched someone die before my eyes. I even remember the time and what the clock looked like. It was 12.20a.m, and the clock I checked when she passed away is the one which hangs in my home now.

On a happier note, my favourite memory of Granny is one of her sitting in her rattan, cushioned armchair at home, drawing a really beautiful picture of a parrot with a long, colourful tail. I wish I had that picture to remind me of my Granny's laugh. But never mind, I have her Malayalam Bible, which reminds me of her getting her chair out and placing it in the garden every evening so she could get some fresh air while praying :)

Grandpa
Grandpa was in the army and served in Congo. Unsurprisingly, he was extremely strict and everyone was scared shitless of him. I remember being caned by Grandpa when I was a kid, although I cleverly used my aunt's blanket as a shield, so it didn't hurt :D

Grandpa's bedroom balcony overlooked the front yard, so you could see it when you stood outside the house. My favourite memory is one of Grandpa standing at the balcony, throwing sour plum sweets down to the garden below. I remember the wrapping of those sweets - white with dark pink corners, and there was a picture of two cherries in the middle. (Don't ask me why there were pictures of cherries on a Sour Plum candy!) I'll bet Grandpa felt like Santa Claus as he watched us dive for the sweets!

Grandad
Grandad spoilt Fiona and I rotten. When he moved in with us, he used to take a walk to his friend's newspaper shop every morning. Then, when Fiona and I came back from school in the afternoon, there'd be one Cornetto ice cream for each of us in the freezer. Every single day.

Grandad also used to cane me, although his cane was not the shop-bought one which I could always find and throw away. There was a guava tree in the front yard, and every time a caning was in store, Grandad would go to the tree, chop off a branch and smack me with it.

One particular incident I recall is when Grandad got ready to cane me, I sat down on the setee and put my knees together. Then *thwack* I got one across the thighs, and Grandad left. I glanced at my knees and was so fascinated by the swollen mark caused by the cane that I actually forgot to cry.

Uncle Jerry
Although I don't remember much about my Godpa at all, I can still picture his smile.


Granny, Grandpa, Grandad and Uncle Jerry, I prayed for you last Sunday. See you one day :)