Page 8 - birthday title

Raman & Anjali

Rohan, Vaishnavi

Baby is an enigma and she will remain one. It is hard to believe how so much of
compassion, empathy and patience can reside in such a frail frame.

My earliest life memory, honestly, begins with Baby getting me ready for my

school, St Mary's. From the crisp crease on my shirt to the cherry blossom
shine on my shoes, she ensured it all. Even the 'tiffin', I realise now, was
smartly blended to match the 'convent school' mood; sandwiches, Britannia
cake and the likes. I was never a fan of the school, infact any of them. I

remember, she would arbitrate my case with appa and infuse as much realism
as possible regarding my acute, albeit sudden stomach ache. She often
succeeded in extracting a sick leave from appa. The remaining of the day, I
would cherish in her company, invariably with a story. Of course, it goes

without saying that my ailments would suddenly vanish once the school taxi
leaves, bereft of my benign presence.

We as RC family missed her when she moved to Chennai in 1976. I however

made it up with my many visits to Chennai, some visits even alone, with some
mama in the escort. I was pampered to the hilt by Baby and an equally
adorable Jaganathan Athimber. My digging the garden, climbing the roof
through the sump pipeline, climbing the Cheeku (Sapota) tree and the evening

play time with likes of 'Dharani Nikkar' in company, are fresh in my memory.

Today when we have amma and appa blessing us from their heavenly abode,
Baby remains the earthly mooring for the RC family to rally around. Anjali's

respect for 'Baby Didi' is profound and she, with Rohan & Vaishnavi in
consort join me in celebrating Baby. An Enigma Indeed!! Thank you Athimber
for all that you have been for Baby and us.