I’d like to dedicate this post to my grandmother, Amia Bai. She passed away on July 3, 2010 in Karachi, Pakistan. I loved her very much but hadn’t seen her in about 3 years or even talked to her in over a month. My trip to Pakistan was to go see her. Spend some time with her. Unfortunately, my fun filled happy vacation has turned into a trip to burry my grandmother.
She practically raised me. My parents both worked full time so it was always her and my aunt that I came home to. They took great care of me. My grandmother painstakingly helped me get through the Qur’an. Fed me really great food, we always cooked together. She taught me to always be strong.
She never had an easy life. But she always kept going. I was her favorite grandchild, she always told me so. Her passing is particularly hard on me.
I was at work when my dad called and told me. I started, of course, sobbing uncontrollably. My coworker MADE ME STAY until a replacement showed up. I thought this was just incredibly rude of him. I had to wait on students for another 20 mins when I was in the deepest part of mourning.
That night I went over to my Mom’s and she made one of my grandmothers fave dishes and we had dinner in her honor. Started talking about all the good times we had with her. It was a good form of therapy.
Anthony also recently lost his grandmother and was a big comfort to have around. He bought be frozen yogurt and Lego Harry Potter so I could focus my energies elsewhere. He held me when I needed to be held, he let me cry when I needed to cry. Never tried to belittle my feelings. and now I will be without him for 2 whole weeks.
So now here I am, half way to Pakistan. Still completely depressed.
