Dadi update
Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 12:51AM Haven't written about family life here for a while, so I think its about time for one of those updates. Well, Dadi is still having quite a nice time, and she seems healthy and settled in to me. She has been doing a decent amount of shopping, and thankfully, she remembers to take her medicines.
Last week, she took a four day trip to Poona with Rashida Aunty and Shabbir Uncle. They went in a very comfortable car, and she said the trip was easy. Their daughter, Arwa bhen, and her family live there, and Dadi really liked their house; she thought both the house and the surrounding views-- overlooking hills and trees-- were lovely.
On Monday, her 3 sisters, Masis Khata, Munira and Shireen, came to visit her. Ever since she has come to Bombay, she has been asking them to visit her all at once instead of individually, so they finally did that. Turns out the reason for her request was that she wanted to give them ridas, but didn't want to have to make the choice of which rida to give which sister! Everyone was a bit amused over that.
And on Friday, the four of them are going to Marole (a suburub about an hour and a half outside the city) for two days. Mamaji Mooder lives there, as does Mamaji Yousuf's eldest son, Saifuddin Uncle. And Marole is also the site of the new masjid that has been funded and built by Mamaji Yousuf and his family. Everyone says it is stunning, and Dadi and I both want to see it.
Alas, I might be too busy to take an overnight trip to Marole at the moment. The Mahila Kamgar Sangathna (women's labor union) meetings I attend are usually on the weekend, since the women work during the week. And I don't want to break appointments or reschedule things unless I really have to. Otherwise people will think I'm flighty. But Dadi and the rest of the family are really insisting that I should go, especially since I missed the trip to Poona, so may I try to visit just for a day by train.
As for Mamaji Yousuf, sometimes he is really well, which means he sits up and talks a lot, eats, and is in good spirits. He often jokes with me that I disappear for too long. But other days he experiences a lot of pain and discomfort. His cycle of dialysis makes both kinds of days happen frequently. Dadi tells me about his younger days a lot, especially the way he used to take care of their elderly father. The two of them talk about old times too.
Overall, hanging out with family here has been extremely nice. In the US, Dadi has talked a lot about this part of her family, and this is the first time I have met most of them (that I can remember), so its good to have faces and personalities to go with her stories and descriptions. At Rashida Aunty's house, I feel totally comfortable. I also visit Masi Khata's once in a while. It sounds kind of silly, but my biggest obstacle is that I still haven't mastered the art of declining food. She is really hospitable, and always wants me to eat more, so it is interesting to negotiate. I think the solution is to only go over there on a totally empty stomach. I've already used the "I have an upset stomach" excuse a couple of times and I don't think it will work anymore!
family 
Reader Comments (4)
Thank-you for your Dadi update. I am happy to hear she is in good health and spirit. Please give her a big bear hug from me!
Rameez, I am thoroughly enjoying all your journal entries. My morning ritual, once I get into work, is to grab some chai, get comfortable in my office desk chair and read about your adventures and your research. It is a great start to my day!
Fantastic work :)
Be safe.
Love
Tasneem
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoy reading it. I am really enjoying writing as well... so many times I tell myself I will keep a journal of something but my efforts fizzle out... but this time, so far so good!
Hug to Dadi delivered. She was happy to hear from you. We are both starting to miss home now :)
One cannot refuse, you have to accept that. So you practice a kind of studied dwaddle over your food, so that you end up eating very little but seem to be participating and enjoying. Of this is not easy if the food is very delicious, which it usually is!
I finished "A Fine Balance" a few days ago. I really loved it. It was a great story, and also painted such a vivid picture of life in various parts of Mumbai, and in other places in India too.
Thanks for the recommendation.