A short Stay and big takeaways.

Some months back, my paternal aunt, Padma Athai as she is affectionately called, came to stay with me in Bangalore. She is a super senior citizen but young and brave  in heart which is how she was able to undertake singly the long flight. Padma Athai  is a very sociable person and has made many good friends over decades of my uncle's professional life; some of whom have almost family like ties with her...they have stood each other  in good stead whenever needed. She finally settled in Delhi to be close to her daughters  but here also she has maintained a set of friends in a relationship of healthy and happy give and take. She independently manages her routine; among which is one of cooking herself  I have known her to set aside and send portions of some special dish that she has prepared at home to friends on occasions or also because it happened to be their favourite dish. Dishing out friendship along with her delicacies is something which comes naturally to Athai.

                I was wondering how would she spend her time in Bangalore. She however had her plans. She has meticulously maintained the phone numbers of all the people whom she wanted to meet in Bangalore.  She started calling them up systematically....the tag line was simple and short. " I  can't come over; but you are most welcome to visit me".  Many people came to visit her, with a home-made sweet or savoury, with love and affection stirred in and infused with care. Athai herself had taken great trouble  to bring fragrant Agarbathis, the incense of friendship and colourful shawls which she presented to her  friends. And very specially for her dear elder brother, home made delicious red carrot halwa. Athai and friends caught up with each other, traversing distant  memory lanes. There was so much of catching up to do, so much of information to be shared....and cooking tips.....Athai is a good cook.  The camaraderie was good....the vibes, positive.

                 Athai's friends were diversely talented people, with interests in music, cooking, scriptures etc. Everyone had an experience, a journey to share. I have wondered at Athai's ability to make friends even with a youngster. Many a time, she tells me, her friends have been wooed by her dishes and meals.  My house became the House of Friendship: a community cutting across generations converging in response to a telephone call of friendship made by an elderly lady.

            Athai had not stepped out of the house. Yet she had reached out and extended a friendly hand. The roads in Bangalore were bad and crowded but the Roads to Long Lasting Friendship are not long and bumpy. I was surprised and touched at what little it takes to make people happy. In this case, Athai's efforts to convert phone contacts into physical meetings. A hot cup of tea offered with a warm smile and warmer heart is all that it takes to build bonds of empathy and affection. In turn perhaps, more caring human beings and a better society.  Definitely Food For Thought.