What do I see in this picture?
I see my grandmother.
Though she would never have worn a dress. “Not modest” she would have called it.
Her style was more of a Saree, a traditional Indian wear which kept her clad from head to toe. That went so well too with a big round red bindi on her forehead, a golden bangle on one hand and a Timex watch on another. Her hair would always be neatly tied in a big bun, mostly grey, like this woman’s, with strands of black reminding of the youth that once was.
I often wondered what’s the modesty in a saree? Her midriff was always visible, peaking out from behind the translucent piece of cloth, almost playing hide and seek. I used to think, maybe the real reason she would never wear a dress was that her legs were too hairy or maybe her ankles unkempt..I could never figure that one out for sure, but then again, I was merely 7, oblivious and unknown to so much that was apparent.
Anyways, I digress.
She used to tell me proudly and loudly, showing off her wrinkles, “I acquired them. One day at a time. They tell a story. MY story. The lines are intertwined like a web, crossing at important interjections. There are some good turns and some bad ones but each one is unique.”
And then with her finger upright, almost so tight that I feared if she bent a bit more it would break, she would say, albeit with a smile – “and your lines should be YOURS. Don’t let anyone make them FOR you.”
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Written for the prompt https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2020/12/21/what-do-you-see-61-21st-december-2020/
Beautiful words of wisdom, Pallavi. 🙂
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She was very wise although not too many of her wisdoms were understood by me back then.
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That often happens, Pallavi. But as long as we learn, I think it’s fine. Grandmas are a treasure. 🙂
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Indeed! ❤️
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Good grandmother 🙂
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She was 😄
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Your love for your grandma is shining through! She gave you very wise advice. Thanks for joining in
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Thanks for bringing back a fond memory through your prompt.
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What a lovely little piece of your past!
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Thanks Chris for visiting 😊
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She was a wise woman, you grandmother. I love what she said in the last two paragraphs about the wrinkles and that they should be your own! Amazing post, Pallavi, thank you for sharing this special piece. 🙏🤗💙
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Thanks love! Missed you. Hope you are well.
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Missed you here as well, gal. I am well, hope the same for you and your loved ones.
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Wish I could claim self agency for all of my wrinkles like your grandmother did. I’ve yet to wear mine with pride 🙂
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Pride she really had even for the dark and bad turns of her life. Not something I inherited from her 😊
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Such profound words of wisdom from someone so close… lovely ❤️
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Thanks D! She was something.
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Your grandmother was a wise woman! It’s great that she left you with warm and fuzzy memories.
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😊❤️
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What a needed lesson from your grandmother. She sounds like a very smart woman. We all forge our own path in life, and I like the battle scars I have from my path, too 😉
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