I was very excited about the Christmas holidays approaching that year. An invitation by my grandparents for a special gathering of all children and grandchildren from my mothers side was the reason. I loved to be lost in the exuberance of the time we (14 grandchildren) spent together, teasing each other, singing songs, playing games and so on. I was delighted at the thought of spending Christmas with all of my cousins. I visualized a day filled with Christmas joy, love and peace. The was elated by the thought Christmas carols, glowing stars, colourful decorations and a beautiful Christmas tree.
What I didnt know was that this so awaited Christmas celebrations would sink in tears. On the scheduled day everyone at home got up early in the morning to get ready and catch the first bus to Thiruvananthapuram. After almost half an hour into the arrangements there was a phone call. The person on the other end was my uncle conveying the sad news about the sudden demise of my grandfather. This news was both a shock as well as a surprise and left us in a daze. It was a shock as it was sudden and unexpected and it was a surprise as it seemed like it happened as if planned.
Tears and silence was filled in the air when we reached my uncle's house where people were sitting in different groups or alone, mourning grandpa's death. I wished that this undesirable thing hadn't happened. There was a family prayer in the evening in which some shared the good moments that they spent with grandpa and some about his personality and way of life. As it was every year, that year too grandpa had bought Christmas cards for each of his grandchildren.
When I look back now I feel everything happened that day as if planned. I am sure that he died in peace as his heart was filled with the happiness of seeing and spending time with all of his children and grandchildren and sharing the care, love and peace of Christmas.
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