Why do we have to losoe someone before we understand them?

Jayanthi Kadri,Late : My aunt-Jayanthi Maami (Paama, as me & all in d' fmaily called her) who filled my life with hues and lot of questions to add colours that every child needs while growing up .It was she who never once made me realize that I was a normal kid. She being highly educated & a strict disciplinarian always threw challenges at me ,even at a tender age & helped me mature faster than a normal kid would! She was a icon of everything righteous in the family which ofcourse was resented by most of the kids around. She was very popular at the school where she taught Kannada-SOPHIA'S HIGH SCHOOL,a very well known educational institution & was a very good musician-playing the VEENA with a melodious singing vocals too. I grew up seeing her practise her singing & playing the Veena .Being a teacher,she wanted to inclulcate some of the best habits into the kinds even at home. We never relaised that but rather grew to resent her strictness around. But looking back , my heart now heart bleeds & wishes that I had told her just how big a role she has played in moulding me into what I'm today. Cleanliness matterd a lot to her. She had her own unique ways of shwocasing her love towards us kids & ignorant,as we were never understood the depth of her feelings/views. We saw her asa samaritan to everybody else in society & a strict stewardess at home. I still recollect a few incidents of my growing up with such strict measures when my parents were away at work,that I even now go speechless.But for a fact that I would not have been exposed ot literature, arts, music & cleanliness the way you were.

Why is it that sometimes the most important things are always said during a goodbye? Why did I have to wait till an obituary to express my love & respects for her?

Maami,today I have relaised what it was for you to face the world alone & strive for the betterment of all the kids & some of the families in M'lore for whom you were the bread provider!

I realised how very respectful & loved you were in society,the day the entire shcool,studesnt,staff,parents ,etc truned up to shower their respects on your last journey!

Today, with due humbleness I slaute you for who you were & it is quiet understandable that the LORD wanted you by HIS side so early .Maami,rest assured all your hardwork has paid dividends & the kids /family you cared so much for are now doing absolutely well.All thanks to your sacrifice, love & care! But for you,so many lives would have not seen the better sides of life that they are enjoying now!

Pray, your soul rest in peace! Seeking your blessings & care,always...my dear Maami!