The Real Woman

As the world celebrates the International Women’s day , we the bunch of bloggers have come together with Neha from sharingourexperiences.com , Deepali from myteenytot.com and Anubhuti from criesnlaughter.com to rejoice this spirit of womanhood.

In today’s world, when women are competing with men in every sphere, be it transplanting a heart or flying a Spaceship, do we ever take a moment and adore the real women out there who have a heart of gold and stardust soul that make them beautiful!!! ( r.m. broderick )

Let me tell you a story of one such woman.

Was she extraordinary?

For me… Yes

Oh.. Then you would be thinking :

She must have been born with a Silver spoon in her mouth?

No, she was born in a small village and while her parents shifted to a city, she being her grandmother’s favorite stayed at her village only. She was married at the age of 15 and stayed at her husband’s ancestral house for the next 75 years of her life.

She must have been qualified enough?

No, she never went to school. She couldn’t read or write BUT she knew the Sikh history by heart and made sure that her kids abide by the teachings of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. She always used to recite the melodious Shabads of Guru Nanak while doing her chores.

She must have borne Kids like every woman?

Yes, 10 of them, all Vaginal deliveries without any medical assistance. BUT do you know the pain of childbirth is equivalent to 20 bones getting fractured at a time. And she endured this pain 10 times in her life only to resume her household work within a day of giving birth. And even dealt with a sorrow of losing her angels twice. You still wish to see Wonder Woman!!

Did she have any special talent?

Everyday she would cook for the family of almost 20 people, clean the house, rear and milk the cows and buffaloes, look after her 8 kids, help her husband in fields BUT when she would get some free time, she would pursue her hobby of knitting instead of taking rest. She had crocheted shawls, bedsheets, pillow covers, floor carpets, babies clothes, sweaters and even little dolls for the decor.

Her husband and family would have been proud of her?

No, doing all this was not anything to be proud of. It was expected from her since she was born with a XX instead of XY. That extra X means extra work, extra responsibility, extra expectations BUT I can’t understand why not extra respect and extra Love? She couldn’t visit her sister who was settled abroad even a single time in her life. And if she wanted to settle down with her kids when she was old, she wasn’t allowed to do so.

Was She beautiful?

A Woman Is Most Beautiful When She Smiles – Beyonce

She had the most beautiful edentulous smile. She lost all her teeth at a young age only and her denture was never a priority amidst all the financial crisis of the family. BUT she always smiled and said she didn’t need one.

Why Am I using Past tense while talking about her?

Because she is no more.

Did she at least die peacefully?

No, my dear. She was a Superwoman and had to battle Paralysis for 6 months before she could rest peacefully finally.

Who was She?

She was My Grandmother.. My beautiful Grandmother.. My Super Grandmother.. The Real Woman whom I adore!!

She may not be extra ordinary for you but I am sure you all could relate to one such real woman in your life. This Woman’s Day, let’s salute the real womanhood!!

I would like to thank Cheni Adukia for introducing me in her blog. Hop on this train to read the next post from Hena Jose here.