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JACOBKUTTY & FAMILY
or getting angry. people.
She always wanted to do As grandkids, we used to be
things on her own. Even at the very noisy. But we never heard
age of 85, I have seen her get- a complaint or a stern “Be qui-
ting her favourite stool, putting et”, “Don’t make noise” or some
it in the yard and even plucking such adult speak from Ammachy.
weeds on her own. She never For her, fun was all about family,
made a fuss about it. I remem- spending time together, talking
ber Appachan used to complain and laughing, sharing old stories
that some things were not kept in and making fun of each other.
their place and Ammachy would She always had an air of pos-
jokingly tell him that he could itivity around her. I remember
just pick it up and put it in the during my college days, I used
right place. She would say these to call her and meet her regu-
things in such a humourous and larly and she used to expect this
kind manner that one would want on a weekly basis. But as I got
to follow it. This helped me learn caught up in work and family
that there is an art in getting your life, I didn’t call as much. Yet,
point across. she would never complain. She
Another aspect of Ammachy would always say that she knew
that I fondly remember is how she that I would call her when I have
would never interfere in her kids’ the time. It was so refreshing to
decisions as long as they were find someone so understanding.
happy. By her 80s, it was evident Of late, when she started
that she didn’t feel comfortable forgetting things which we had
about her kids crossing the infa- just spoken about, she would
mous Pamela estate at night. She in a self-mocking manner say,
would voice her concern in such “Iyyadai aayittu ellam marak-
a light tone that one knew she kum. Pazhaya praayamallello.
wanted us to do what was most (I am forgetting things of lately. I
comfortable for us, regardless of am getting old.)” If I can emulate
her fears. She trusted us to do even half her positivity, I would
what was best even though she consider myself lucky.
didn’t necessarily agree, which I remember a funny incident
is quite out of character for older three years back when I called her

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