My parents start back to India tomorrow. It seems like the end of a chapter. Papa is 75 years old and is not too keen on making any more trips to the UK. The journey is too much of a toll on him. It feels especially heavy that tomorrow might be the last day they are in the UK. It all started way back in 2010 when K and I were seriously on a temporary basis here. We were so keen that everyone come and visit the beautiful country that we initiated visas for everyone and had them over for a few weeks to go through the main highlights of the country.
One thing led to another and we had Chiyaa. Mummy was here to spend some glorious time with her when Chiyaa was a toddler. Papa was quite active then and could not do away with his engagements at home. He came over for 3 weeks when we visited Northern Ireland and had an amazing time. After Chiyaa it was time for Pumpki. Mummy who couldn't make it to my first pregnancy because of visa issues, came over as soon as we needed her. She was a stellar companion for Chiyaa, was a fabulous granny for Pumpki and the solid support for me. Things did go a bit topsy turvy and K was transferred to Ipswich. We all made the shift because Mummy made everything seem so easy. Pumpki was flourishing in Ipswich and we were on the verge of getting our own house, when things took a turn for the worse. K had to quit his job to look for his next assignment in the UK. Mummy came over again once Amma had gone back to give us some respite. Since our tenure wasn't certain, we didn't want Pumpki to get enrolled in a day-care yet. K continued his job hunt and like a salmon coming back to where it is born we drifted back to Leeds. Mummy again made this second move seem seamless and effortless.
Leeds was where we grew our roots. We got a house in 2018 and of course we had Papa Mummy come over and enjoy our new place. It was lovely to have them finally for longer durations since Papa had given up many of his long term engagements. Over the 7 years he was weakened as well and needed the companionship of Mummy to travel. For me it was a bit of a win since I could enjoy his company for longer durations. We explored a few more places, ate at a few more joints and generally enjoyed each others company alongside our little kids.
Papa wanted to make another trip the following year to perhaps celebrate the birthday of Chiyaa, Pumpki and myself since we are all winter babies. Winter is not the best time to come to the UK, but he is the kind of man who has some milestones and some self made aspirations. I was not going to complain :) Once Mummy reached in 2019, she fell quite ill. It was the first time I felt the vulnerability of their age. It made me come face to face with the fact that they were loosing their strength - both mentally and physically. But God had something else planned. 2019 was the year of the Covid and 2020 was the year of the lockdown. We had plans for London and a bunch of other places. But we ended up being at home, taking many many walks, baking, cooking, playing, crafting and have a splendid 9 months! Papa had plans to celebrate 3 birthdays but we ended up celebrating every single birthday! During the birthday celebrations I kept thinking this is the perhaps the last time we are all together cutting cakes and gorging on it because given our geographical distances, it wouldn't be easily feasible. I remember the evening prior to their departure back to India, I went on a walk with Mummy. She was looking around at the gardens and mentioned, "not sure if I can ever come back again and see all this" I replied, "Never say never Mummy, you never know :) "
As luck would have it, in 2 years' time my sister made her way to Leeds as well. It was an added incentive for my parents to come over here. They made the trips, we spent time as an entire unit - again something I never ever imagined would come true. It was literally God's grace and His awesome blessing that I got to spend such valuable time with my parents. Again there were trips, there was food and there were birthday celebrations. What started with just the highlights of UK in 2010 extended to way beyond the borders of UK by 2024. I did miss them when they stayed at my sister's place and I did wish we could literally be together all the time. But then one cant have it all.
I must say this tenure has been the best. We have watched some scintillating cricket with the England vs India test series, the Asia cup or the IPLs. We have played a lot of card games with the kids. It was a lovely time spent in a lot of warmth and love. I have taken the longest duration this time to reconcile to their return. As someone who has stayed away from home since I was 18 I am quite used to arrivals and departures. I miss people a lot, but then I move on. But this time around, the distance seems too much. We have come so far over the past 15 years. I have seen them slowly become reliant on us. I have seen them become even more adjustive though their body yearns for status quo. I know they have their lives back in India, it is much harder and much busier. The urge to look after them, to pamper them, to give them all the conveniences is very strong. I will be a wreck tomorrow. I will have my duties and chores, but the emotion of missing my parent will be with me for a long time. I know never say never, and the eternal optimist in me is sure they will come again and again.
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