My Manni

I wish to add to this excellent exchange of views. My eldest Manni was very affectionate and fond of me. My mother also was very dear to her. I was three or four years when my brother married her

She used to watch me closely.and correct me, at every stage. I started as a left-hander, and the moment I put my hand into the plate, she would beat it mildly and insist thst I eat withe right hand. I used to be asking her to serve as much quantity as my elder brother Raman and Krishnan, and she would say first eat what is served, then I will give more. If I had not eaten all that was serv and leave a clean plate, and wash it myself! all due to her care, and I always remember her with gratitude.ed and tried to get up, she would say, finish off everything in the plate,then I will let you get up. And, after finishing, she would ask me to take my little plate (thaalam) and leave it in washing place. All the time, my mother would be watching admiringly, so much was my mother's trust in her and the need for me to be growing as A DISCIPLINED CHILD.

To-day, I am able to say, at 82 plus, that I allow only enough to be served, eat with right hand, leave a clean plate and wash it myself. All due to her upbringing in those formative years. Not a day passes in my life without my remembering her with a lot of gratitude.

In sum, a mother - in my case, my mother allowed my Manni - is the one who makes a man of her child.

I was inspired to write this,because we loved each other so much.

Appa

Wed, 24/8/2011