For so many years, she lived in an old shabby house made of rugged wood and rusty tin sheets (perhaps some of the few remnants of the Second World War British supplies). But, she loved her humble abode so dearly for she said it was the place where her memories live. Her pots and plates were often stained and grimy. But food tasted better in them and I always enjoyed the hot meal she prepared with different kinds of herbs, meat and of course with all the magical spices of love and affection. She would keep her fire place burning all the time and the kettle constantly boiling ready to welcome anyone, who may walk in for a cup of tea. Apart from her admirable hospitality, she was also a good storyteller. I loved to sit by her side near the fire place, sipping tea and listening to her as she meticulously weaved and narrated her stories. Today, I still cherish those lovely moments shared with her in that old shabby rural dwelling long ago. She was also an ardent collector of memorabilia and loved to treasure some of her favourite few things like old clothes and ornaments. She loved colourful necklaces and wore scores of them. I once asked her why she always wore all those old necklaces. She gently replied, “They are old ones and are neither gold nor silver, but the colours around my neck brighten my mood when I am feeling low. They also remind me of the happy past and each of these necklaces has a story to tell, each has a memory sealed on it.”
I admire her for many reasons, but one thing I liked the most about her is her love for animals and nature. She often talked to her chickens as if they were her friends. She would feed the neighbours cats and every cat in the neighbourhood knew her well. She would never allow us to tie our dogs with chains and scolded us if we beat our pets or failed to feed the pets on time. “Be gentle to everyone, even animals. They do have feelings and senses. The only thing is that they cannot speak our language”, she would say. She also had close attachment with the forest and its dwellings. Many a summer she took me to the jungle to collect wild berries and leaves. As we walked through the forest she’d often tell me, “This forest fed our great grandparents and continues to nurture us with all its products. Never harm even a single creature for we are all connected to each other. Even if you kill a tiny ant, the forest will cease to exist for each one of them contributes greatly in keeping the forest alive”. I could not understand back then, but today I realize that though she was never schooled or educated, she was one of the greatest conservationists I have ever met in my life. She instilled in me the value of preserving nature and taught me to appreciate God’s beautiful world.
I still remember, every evening after sunset, we would burn oil lamps together and place them in every corner of her house to brighten the place. One night after the lamps were arranged, she turned to me and said, “Life is like these burning lamps. They will shine only for a short period of time. Shine while you can. Shine brightly in your own little corner before it burns out”. One early June morning, Grandmother’s candle burned out. It’s been two years now since she walked away into the sunset, but memories of her still linger on. The house where she lived for years together is now empty and cold. The logs in the fire place have lost their flames and the crackling sounds of wood have disappeared. The embers have died down. They will never glow again in my grandmother’s fire place. But the fire place that once blazed with warmth will continue to glow within my heart. The valuable lessons she taught me, and some of the happiest moments of childhood she gave and also the many sincere prayers she prayed for us will remain in my memory. Today as I remember her, I cannot help but thank God for this beautiful woman I knew in my life.
I admire her for many reasons, but one thing I liked the most about her is her love for animals and nature. She often talked to her chickens as if they were her friends. She would feed the neighbours cats and every cat in the neighbourhood knew her well. She would never allow us to tie our dogs with chains and scolded us if we beat our pets or failed to feed the pets on time. “Be gentle to everyone, even animals. They do have feelings and senses. The only thing is that they cannot speak our language”, she would say. She also had close attachment with the forest and its dwellings. Many a summer she took me to the jungle to collect wild berries and leaves. As we walked through the forest she’d often tell me, “This forest fed our great grandparents and continues to nurture us with all its products. Never harm even a single creature for we are all connected to each other. Even if you kill a tiny ant, the forest will cease to exist for each one of them contributes greatly in keeping the forest alive”. I could not understand back then, but today I realize that though she was never schooled or educated, she was one of the greatest conservationists I have ever met in my life. She instilled in me the value of preserving nature and taught me to appreciate God’s beautiful world.
I still remember, every evening after sunset, we would burn oil lamps together and place them in every corner of her house to brighten the place. One night after the lamps were arranged, she turned to me and said, “Life is like these burning lamps. They will shine only for a short period of time. Shine while you can. Shine brightly in your own little corner before it burns out”. One early June morning, Grandmother’s candle burned out. It’s been two years now since she walked away into the sunset, but memories of her still linger on. The house where she lived for years together is now empty and cold. The logs in the fire place have lost their flames and the crackling sounds of wood have disappeared. The embers have died down. They will never glow again in my grandmother’s fire place. But the fire place that once blazed with warmth will continue to glow within my heart. The valuable lessons she taught me, and some of the happiest moments of childhood she gave and also the many sincere prayers she prayed for us will remain in my memory. Today as I remember her, I cannot help but thank God for this beautiful woman I knew in my life.
Akhrieno Savi, Kohima
