As I grow older, memory of my younger years seems to be getting stronger in me. My younger brother (also a senior citizen) and I spend hours on the phone recalling our childhood in vivid detail. We often talk about how our father used to fix things at home - be it a cycle, an electrical appliance or a leaking faucet. My father had a collection of assorted tools and spare parts including screws, bolts, nuts and washers - all stored in a box. Besides watching with awe the intricate fixing process, my brother and I served as helpers in fetching the tools and components needed for the job.
In early 1940's, my father bought a brand new 'Rudge' bicycle. This is the only cycle he ever bought and he kept it in perfect working condition throughout his entire working life. With regular care and maintenance, we kept most of our old household devices and equipment. We had a manual coffee grinder, a 'primus' kerosene stove that worked well for 30 years until it was sold to a neighbor, a wood-fired boiler that provided hot water regularly everyday for our family needs with very little maintenance -- the list can go on.
My mother was raised in a small village and did not have high school education. However, she was very good at fixing many intangible things. She fixed our minor ailments and injuries with simple age-old home remedies. She helped cure stomach upsets by making us eat tender 'neem' leaves with curd, apply oiled and heated salt on minor hurts/bruises, and so on. Except on an emergency, we seldom went to a doctor.
On fixing strained human relationships, my mother was superb. The finest skill she demonstrated was in fixing hopelessly broken relationships between people -both young and old. She smoothly cemented many severely damaged friendships, made couples unite after years of separation, and actively promoted a close-knit feeling amongst our friends and relatives.
With our father as the only breadwinner, our home finances were often under severe pressure. Thanks to my mother - she effectively fixed the problematic money issues with innovative methods such as a home chit fund, getting instalment credit from vendors, and product barters.
Instead of throwing out old machines, we fixed them to stay longer with us. The same applied to human beings. We kept our aging parents and elderly relatives with care and love even if they were infirm. We managed to fix minor irritants and discords in married life and went on with our relationships.
Looking back, I think it was a wonderful way of life. We fixed almost anything and made them last longer.
Today, we witness sweeping changes around the world. Growing affluence and the flood of new products have led to drastic changes in life styles. It seems to be a world that seeks to quickly replace rather than repair. The trend seems to impact human relationships too as we see more battles, break-ups and divorces!
Admittedly, there is more wealth around. Is it accompanied by more happiness?
In early 1940's, my father bought a brand new 'Rudge' bicycle. This is the only cycle he ever bought and he kept it in perfect working condition throughout his entire working life. With regular care and maintenance, we kept most of our old household devices and equipment. We had a manual coffee grinder, a 'primus' kerosene stove that worked well for 30 years until it was sold to a neighbor, a wood-fired boiler that provided hot water regularly everyday for our family needs with very little maintenance -- the list can go on.
My mother was raised in a small village and did not have high school education. However, she was very good at fixing many intangible things. She fixed our minor ailments and injuries with simple age-old home remedies. She helped cure stomach upsets by making us eat tender 'neem' leaves with curd, apply oiled and heated salt on minor hurts/bruises, and so on. Except on an emergency, we seldom went to a doctor.
On fixing strained human relationships, my mother was superb. The finest skill she demonstrated was in fixing hopelessly broken relationships between people -both young and old. She smoothly cemented many severely damaged friendships, made couples unite after years of separation, and actively promoted a close-knit feeling amongst our friends and relatives.
With our father as the only breadwinner, our home finances were often under severe pressure. Thanks to my mother - she effectively fixed the problematic money issues with innovative methods such as a home chit fund, getting instalment credit from vendors, and product barters.
Instead of throwing out old machines, we fixed them to stay longer with us. The same applied to human beings. We kept our aging parents and elderly relatives with care and love even if they were infirm. We managed to fix minor irritants and discords in married life and went on with our relationships.
Looking back, I think it was a wonderful way of life. We fixed almost anything and made them last longer.
Today, we witness sweeping changes around the world. Growing affluence and the flood of new products have led to drastic changes in life styles. It seems to be a world that seeks to quickly replace rather than repair. The trend seems to impact human relationships too as we see more battles, break-ups and divorces!
Admittedly, there is more wealth around. Is it accompanied by more happiness?
3 comments:
True... Beautiful message Periappa
Thanks Radhika!
Thanks Radhika. I'm glad you liked it.
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