Poignant. This video reminded me of one snowy afternoon waiting for Anil at the Pillay's house. We were going to have a little guitar session (Anil is always late isn't he; you've got to love him).
I was about 19 and had known Vijay my whole life. As a kid I was always too intimidated to actually engage in conversation with him. But today was different. First, he was actually home, second we started chatting the minute I got there (with delicious food of course, always a part of any Pillay experience).
I had always wondered what the 3-D television that sat in their living room was used for. So I finally asked Vijay. He spent almost an hour showing and explaining one particular procedure to me, an intravenous TPA procedure he'd done to alleviate a blood clot in a patient's brain.
It was essentially like watching, in 3-D, someone pushing a long thin hair through a two yard-long curly-straw via x-ray. I asked him how long it took him to complete the procedure and he said, very calmly and without concern, "about 12 hours." I asked if this was a common procedure and if any one else was doing it, and he said casually, "Oh, maybe two or three others."
I was finally able to appreciate the knowledge, reputation and expertise that Vijay had as a surgeon. Also, his kindness, his patience, and his love for others and his love of medicine.
I waited to watch this video until there was absolute peace and quiet in the house and at the end of my uninterrupted viewing, the presence of Vijay Uncle lingers in our home. I hope it stays on for awhile as it brings peace and warmth to all of us here. Miss you all and miss you too Uncle. You are an inspiration to pay close attention to all we do. Nice work Supi.
My fondest memories of Pillay Achan uncle took place in 1997 when we visited Ammachi's ashram in San Mateo, CA. As a child, I also remember being intimidated by him when he would look above his eyeglasses and either put me in my place, or recite some profound saying that I could not comprehend. But during our trip to CA, I saw him in a completely different light. He was at the beginning stages of Alzheimer's and I had never been around anyone who had this illness before. Although it was difficult to see him in that state, he continued to philosophize about life with an almost child-like nature. His famous quote, and I am not going to attempt to spell it in Malayalam, "What we know is limited my child, what God knows is infinite", was repeated throughout the trip and was permanently implanted into my memory. I felt very responsible for him during that trip. I wanted Girija Auntie to get a break and experience Ammachi's Ashram, therefore it became my duty to keep an eye on Pillay Achan Uncle. I remember every time I checked on him, he was standing in the background just observing everyone, looking at peace with himself and the environment. Ammachi's Ashram is set in rolling green hills with an energy that can only be experienced to give it justice. I will never forget that vacation with him and our families. From hearing the memories other have of Pillay Achan Uncle in the video, it is obvious that he made a lasting difference in the lives of others, not only through his work, but also through his actions and words.
I miss your daddy and my uncle. I am grateful for each and every moment, conscious and unconscious, I had with him. I am grateful for the family he brought us.
He is the inspiration for my Super 8!
He was present in my parents' lives before I was ever even a thought. And, it was one of the greatest honors of my short life to hold his hand, share infinite love and ultimately, learn how to let go in the last moments he was here with us physically.
4 comments:
Poignant. This video reminded me of one snowy afternoon waiting for Anil at the Pillay's house. We were going to have a little guitar session (Anil is always late isn't he; you've got to love him).
I was about 19 and had known Vijay my whole life. As a kid I was always too intimidated to actually engage in conversation with him. But today was different. First, he was actually home, second we started chatting the minute I got there (with delicious food of course, always a part of any Pillay experience).
I had always wondered what the 3-D television that sat in their living room was used for. So I finally asked Vijay. He spent almost an hour showing and explaining one particular procedure to me, an intravenous TPA procedure he'd done to alleviate a blood clot in a patient's brain.
It was essentially like watching, in 3-D, someone pushing a long thin hair through a two yard-long curly-straw via x-ray. I asked him how long it took him to complete the procedure and he said, very calmly and without concern, "about 12 hours." I asked if this was a common procedure and if any one else was doing it, and he said casually, "Oh, maybe two or three others."
I was finally able to appreciate the knowledge, reputation and expertise that Vijay had as a surgeon. Also, his kindness, his patience, and his love for others and his love of medicine.
I waited to watch this video until there was absolute peace and quiet in the house and at the end of my uninterrupted viewing, the presence of Vijay Uncle lingers in our home. I hope it stays on for awhile as it brings peace and warmth to all of us here. Miss you all and miss you too Uncle. You are an inspiration to pay close attention to all we do. Nice work Supi.
My fondest memories of Pillay Achan uncle took place in 1997 when we visited Ammachi's ashram in San Mateo, CA. As a child, I also remember being intimidated by him when he would look above his eyeglasses and either put me in my place, or recite some profound saying that I could not comprehend. But during our trip to CA, I saw him in a completely different light.
He was at the beginning stages of Alzheimer's and I had never been around anyone who had this illness before. Although it was difficult to see him in that state, he continued to philosophize about life with an almost child-like nature. His famous quote, and I am not going to attempt to spell it in Malayalam, "What we know is limited my child, what God knows is infinite", was repeated throughout the trip and was permanently implanted into my memory.
I felt very responsible for him during that trip. I wanted Girija Auntie to get a break and experience Ammachi's Ashram, therefore it became my duty to keep an eye on Pillay Achan Uncle. I remember every time I checked on him, he was standing in the background just observing everyone, looking at peace with himself and the environment. Ammachi's Ashram is set in rolling green hills with an energy that can only be experienced to give it justice. I will never forget that vacation with him and our families. From hearing the memories other have of Pillay Achan Uncle in the video, it is obvious that he made a lasting difference in the lives of others, not only through his work, but also through his actions and words.
I miss your daddy and my uncle. I am grateful for each and every moment, conscious and unconscious, I had with him. I am grateful for the family he brought us.
He is the inspiration for my Super 8!
He was present in my parents' lives before I was ever even a thought. And, it was one of the greatest honors of my short life to hold his hand, share infinite love and ultimately, learn how to let go in the last moments he was here with us physically.
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