For the longest time while growing up, I used to feel insecure and uncomfortable when anyone told me I was pampered by my maternal grandparents. Today I am actually proud of it. Not all grand kids get pampered and loved the way I have been. More than that, I have the opportunity to give back all the love and care I received. I savor these moments. I create memories which will stay with me longer than hurtful words and spite (which is saying a lot).

My grandfather was/is never my God. He was my grandfather and that is all he will be all my life. I realized that with time, people tend to exaggerate and glorify the dead. I will remember him with all his endearing faults that used to make me angry. I remember how much he used to infuriate me. I remember how I used to grumble when he used to push me to do yoga and breathing exercises every morning. I remember these small things and it is those small things I miss.

Surprisingly, a lot of my memories my grandfather revolve around food. I can vividly recall my grandfather glad in white sneaking out of the storeroom around 3pm when the rest of the family was resting with mixture in his left hand. He would pop each morsel of mixture into his mouth and savor it. Relish it. Today, as we gather to celebrate his life with food, I will go back to the past and remember those special grandfather-granddaughter foodie moments

1) Iyengar bakery – Masala Toast

How many of you people remember this? Slices of white bread topped with caramalized onions, green chillies and spice. I used to pick out the chillies before eating these. I used to complain bitterly about the heat but always got it.

2) A1 Bakery – Fruit bun

My grandfather used to accompany me to the dentist. We used to alight from the bus at Sophy’s corner and cross the road to the dentist office. Before going to the dentist, we used to stop at A1 bakery and pick up fruit buns (they were loaded with cherries).

3) Gajapriya – American Chopsuey

Unlike the previous two memories, this one is much older. Gajapriya used to be the place we went to often in those days. Their American Chopsuey used to be my favorite. Fried noodles with sweet sticky sauce was my idea of perfection

4) Seakings – Cutlet

As a bribe to entice me to learn driving, my grandfather will promise me an outing to Sea kings. I will attempt to drive the Omni and we would arrive in Sea kings. Cutlet and vanilla milkshake were my last favorites.

5) Sangam – Coffee Shop

I STILL love Coffee Shops which don’t smell of coffees. I am more comfortable in a cafe with a sandwich and drink than in a sitdown posh restaurant. I think it was Hotel Sangam’s Coffee Shop that introduced me to that pleasure. I have been to that place so many times with my grandfather, feasting on pizzas, sandwiches and french fries.

6) Backyard Guavas

We would share freshly plucked guavas from the trees in our backyard. The trees my grandmother nurtured with love and life. The garden was her space. My grandfather will slice the fruit and then scoop of just the white seeds and flesh part for me. He will devote the hard, green skin of the guava.

Good ole memories. Ones I will savor for life. As I travel around the world, I remember how humble  my beginnings were. How small my roots were. How I stood shaded under the banyan tree called my grandfather. I have so much to be grateful for and I am so glad I can see it.