Tuesday, February 8, 2011

A vacant space

Last week dad's best friend passed away. He was an acute diabetic and living alone after wife's death. The bai(housemaid) would come in at sometime in the day and prepare the next 24 hr meal for him.

That day, he did not answer the bell. The bai called her son who called his sister about 5 kms away. She and another brother broke into the house. The iron grill door took some time to give away. Inside, he lay semi conscious on bed struck with a stroke. They rushed him to the hospital where he lay for a week showing no signs of reversal. He had no children and no will to live.

Dad called up in one evening with the news. I just grunted, talked about few other things before putting down the receiver. I had seen him come to our house almost on adaily basis from the time I could remember anything. As more memories played playback, more tears welled up in the eyes. I rarely called him after I got married. But he was always a part which now lies vacant.

27 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear about this ...I dont know what to say .. but wish the kids were nearby to look after the old man ..

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  2. The bonding that creates with certain people is so special, and it's always etched in our heart!
    But we realise them late- when the person leaves us! But the fact that you miss him now and writing about him is a great tribute to him!
    Let his soul rest in peace!

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  3. I can understand.The sorrow gets blunted over a period but the fond memories live on for ever.

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  4. It happens to all of us. We sometimes neglect or take for granted people who mean something to us. It is only when they are gone that we are suddenly struck with the reality of losing them. Sad for him that he died lonely and without a will to live.

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  5. It hurts.
    It is so easy for most of us to say"life has to go on".
    May his soul rest in peace.

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  6. Sorry for your loss. Such is life, unpredictable and unexpected! Don't know what to say on this. May his soul Rest in Peace.

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  7. It's truly unfortunate that he had no one by his side when he bid his final goodbye! And your grief is totally understandable. Some people become an important part of our lives, that even if we've lost years 'not being in touch' in between, they still remain important to us. All you can do is, cherish the wonderful memories of days or years you've known this person.

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  8. I am sorry. But its terrible to not having anyone by his side during his last moments. May his soul rest in peace

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  9. it is the "will to live", that decides. Don't you think so?
    I guess it is

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  10. Bikramjit
    It was a sad end but it could have been worse- like him being bed ridden for a longer time.

    Vaish
    True. We know that we miss them when it is too late.

    K Parthasarathi
    Yes. Memories help to keep them alive.

    Rachna
    ONly if I had visited the twn where I grew up with Dad last December.

    BK Chowla
    We move on with a yearning somewhere

    Shesha
    He was the first Chaturvedi I knew. Say some apt prayers for him

    RGB
    Cherish I will.

    Insignia
    There were people in the last moments but not before that

    Anil Kurup
    Of course "Will" plays a great role in any treatment.

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  11. thats really sad... but living alone must have been a real too. RIP

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  12. sorry about that...lomlinesss is the most fatal disease in itself.

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  13. That's so sad! It must be so lonely for him in his last days! May he rest in peace!

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  14. Rajlakshmi
    Right. Living alone is a kind of a curse in old age

    A New Begining
    Absolutely true

    Shilpa Garg
    Amen

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  15. Living alone at any stage is bad. But old age is the worst. Its better to live in chaos, I think at times. I dread the calm after the storm. :) May none of us ever feel this loneliness when we are old and grey. (Please drop me a mail, if I am alive at that point I will come and visit and maybe we can chat about old blogging days, What say?) May he rest in peace.

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  16. I can't imagine what it must be like for him. To be alone and lonely. No wonder he had no will to live. May his soul rest in peace.

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  17. Jyothi
    THat would be really nice- you dropping in:)

    Destiny's Child
    Loneliness is horrible. It kills silently.

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  18. Really unfortunate. But I think it's happening to more and more people, ailing and lonely in old age.

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  19. sm
    thanks

    Neena
    And I fear for my future

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  20. Some times things don't happen the way we expect it to be and the memories keep hitting us the most unexpected times.
    They say time heals, but I really doubt it.

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  21. I agree with Anil - Certainly, the will to live has a significant role to play!

    You've got a brilliant space here!

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  22. Sorry I couldn't visit your blog for a while now.
    I am sure you'll cherish the memories that you have of him.

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  23. Haddock
    Time just pushes the memories further. They remain.

    V Rakesh
    Will to live is what helps us overcome ill health.

    Tarun Goel
    ????

    Shruthi
    Nothing much happening here. So, you didn't miss a thing

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  24. I'm sorry to be here so late to say hello and extend my condolences. I wish you well and hope to see you posting again.

    This month I'm participating in a blogging challenge with posts according to letters of the alphabet. Monday's post (letter "I") is going to feature some of my favorite bloggers who share something very special in common.

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  25. Sad. May his soul rest in peace.

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