The twin power packed personalities called Parents

She grew up in an inconspicuous village far removed from the limits of a southern Indian city. A carefree and chirpy Christian girl who attended a local school in the morning and lent a hand with the chores at home and the backyard in the even time. I would imagine that brooms, water pitchers, cow refuse and wood fired ovens would have been her playthings then. But her passion for learning coupled with sheer industry broke her free from the cocoon her home had spun over her. She went on to liberate herself from a speak-Tamil-only-please girl to pick up English, finish schooling, venture for a Graduate degree in Training and cap it with a triple Master's in Tamil, in Economics and in Education. I often wondered how such a cute thing can with such deftness juggle the roles of a prayer warrior, home maker, dutiful wife, loving mother, professional teacher, youth counsellor, prolific writer, church activist, house maid, master chef, treasurer, etc. while safely and sanely remaining a bundle of bubbling joy.

Now, about him. He matches her laurels line for line and in a few cases also overshadows her. The provider, protector and property manager, he was a super-astute thinker, exquisite writer, powerful social networker, public welfare lobbyist and spokesperson and an able administrator. Though from a unremarkable background with no access to English education till the age of eleven, he plodded his way to a triple feat too with Bachelor's degrees in Mathematics and in Engineering, adding a Master's in Business Administration to round it off. He came packaged in a five and half feet tall, sinewy muscle toned frame with a fiery pair of eyes and a surprisingly tender heart that inspired both awe and affection. He was a leader all the way, perhaps predestined to be one.

Now, to this power couple was born this beleaguered blog writer. It was both a matter of joy and on occasions anguish to have been born to such decorated parents. You may well understand where the pride and joy stems from, but whence the anguish ? Yes, unassuaged anguish in part because they were often my yardstick or reference line against whom I was measured. Believe me, it was really hard to be juxtaposed beside these imposing folks as I could often offer no excuse for my shortcomings. Most often, all possible avenues for my errant reasoning for substandard accomplishments were aptly plugged air tight.

They were an also unwritten poem on unity .. of a religious Christian coping with a titular one, of a village belle knit to an urban thoroughbred, of a serene heart blending with a poignant mind, of ignorance at peaceful coexistence with bridled arrogance and of a beauty in love with a "tender" beast.

The folks have since long retired from their former professions, but it's a wonder to see their engines still in prime condition ever raring to go. They together, have not bequeathed to me just the usual portion of their heritage alone, but also the incorruptible value of godliness, humane love, education, humility and small town attitude, hard work, money, food, health, struggles and life's odds. A relative underachiever that I am, I would not have driven myself to be wherever I stand now if it were not for my reverence and fear for these towering personalities. Mom and Dad !! I love you both.