Appa comes to town
Appa comes to town
Each measured movement reflects hidden and acknowledged pain. The doctors have the x-rays and MRIs to prove the fused state of all the vertebrae. Accomodating his large frame into the small economy class seat, he visits his daughters and grandchildren inspite of the immutable commute of 30 + hours. He belongs to the earlier generation that did not send cards for b'days and anniversaries. But he would be the first to call or take you to the temple to offer our thanks for having been given an opportunity to live and serve in our human form. He was the quiet background on which the rich tapestry of childhood was woven. He is my Appa, an unpretentious person who has quietly served his family, community and nation with little or no recognition. His gruff expressions hide a softie waiting to be cuddled. His dissapointments, he stashes away that impress further upon his spine. Yet, he laughes them away and keeps the phantom of pain just below the epidermis.
Knowing fully well the state of his back, we decide to take him on a pilgrimage to the Grand Canyon. He, who has taken us places- be it within India or parts of Europe, has a few places left in his wish-list for travel. Two of them were the Grand Canyon and the Niagra Falls. So my sister and I hatch a plot: I shall take him to GC and she will do the honors with NF. We plan the trip in stages to make it most convenient. The back is challenged. Not a word or gasp passes through his lips. The tightening of the facial muscles express the intolerable pain, but he persists. He allows us this one opportunity to let us take him out for a change.
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