Our friend's mother is visiting him from his hometown in a progressive village in India. She radiates a natural affection for others that I have seen in my parents and grandparents while growing up, and reminds me of the bygone simple ways of life.
In one of our parties, a group had gathered around a table talking to this lady. The conversation ranged from local Indian politics to how she was enjoying her stay, and if she wanted to move to the States permanently. To which the lady replied in her lilting accent, that she would love to move in with her eldest son sometime in the future, and ultimately be blessed with the good fortune of passing away at his home, surrounded by grandchildren, specially the eldest grandson, and friendly neighbors. (Dying at a son's home is still a privilage in India, and the mortal remains are first brought home before being taken to the funeral home for cremation.)
Her audience of elderly ladies had the option of keeping quiet, agreeing with her, or moving on to some other discussion. But all at once, they started whispering about how the "body" is not brought home in the States. And there was a detailed description of the "body" being left and treated at the funeral parlor.
In one of our parties, a group had gathered around a table talking to this lady. The conversation ranged from local Indian politics to how she was enjoying her stay, and if she wanted to move to the States permanently. To which the lady replied in her lilting accent, that she would love to move in with her eldest son sometime in the future, and ultimately be blessed with the good fortune of passing away at his home, surrounded by grandchildren, specially the eldest grandson, and friendly neighbors. (Dying at a son's home is still a privilage in India, and the mortal remains are first brought home before being taken to the funeral home for cremation.)
Her audience of elderly ladies had the option of keeping quiet, agreeing with her, or moving on to some other discussion. But all at once, they started whispering about how the "body" is not brought home in the States. And there was a detailed description of the "body" being left and treated at the funeral parlor.
When will we learn that sometimes silence is golden?
