There is this table clock in my bed room.
Every day in the morning it tells me that it is really time to get up and get moving if I have to catch that 7.30 bus.
Every day in the morning it tells me that it is really time to get up and get moving if I have to catch that 7.30 bus.
During its lifetime it had its share of being knocked about and survived some falls. The corners have been chipped off. It was a clock cum photo frame. Now only the hinges remain to remind us of the frame side. But the clock still works.
The back cover does get dislodged at times. I don’t see any screw that can fix that. Maybe it was glued in earlier. So I have tied a small thin thread that holds it together. But the clock still works.
Then we have our Shantabai (maid) who does a thorough cleaning of the place (including the clock) and all that handling freezes the time. So when I come back from work and find that the clock has stopped at 2.23, I put on my Sherlock Holmes cap and infer that "today the maid did the cleaning of my study at 2.23 pm"
I do some readjusting with love and care … . . . . . . and the clock still works.
Many have told me to throw away that old thing and get some thing new which will look hep and savvy. I refuse to do so because . . . . . . . the clock still works.
About 20 years ago when I had been to Bombay
Only when I reached back home did I realize that the little something was a clock cum photo frame.
During the course of time the dreaded disease of cancer caught up with her, and after a brief battle, she passed away.
Whenever I look at that clock I think of her and what better way to be reminded of a person who was dear to me.
The clock still works.
46 comments:
so very nice..of you..to keep the memories..of your aunt alive..a perfect example how you love and respect your dear ones!
nice post!
So nice story :)
Every gift is a pleasant memory. It is not the value,but the feelings behind it that matters.
They connect us to one another. If someone’s generosity touches you, especially if you feel gratitude, and most especially if you are so moved as to give something in return, then friendship may arise, and then a stronger intimacy that could last.
A very remarkable post..phaps it will we some lifeless things bring to our mind the memories f people or situations those were once dear to us,
And also your usage 'Sherlock Holmes Cap' evoked some thoughts in me. If you will search in the google 'Vanity moments sherlock holmes cap', you may find a post written by me which also had this special usage,.
nice to know that there are others too who keep old and almost broken things out of sentiment... our house is full of such things, and though everytime I clean up, I wonder if I should get rid of them, when it comes to throwing it away, I cant make myself do that!
It's not easy to part from things you are so emotionally attached to. Keep the click, even if it stops working! If not the time, it will always tell you of the love your aunt had for you.
The repetition of the line: "But the clock still works" gave a poetic feel to this writing in prose. How simple objects transform into memories, sentiments and blog posts. Interesting! The old clock almost has merged with your home and lives and is another inmate who does its job faithfully. Sometimes it is a comfort and a pleasant remainder of things passed by. Time is heartless and passes away but the clock!!! "But the clock still works."
Joy always, Joe
Susan
P. S: How are the birds?
as Susan says, the repetition adds a warm, loyal and poetic touch to what is both a witty essay and a touching tribute..
reading this i thought how completely we get attached even to inanimate things.. Mma Ramotswe and her little white van, for example! :)
... "Many have told me to throw away that old thing and get some thing new which will look hep and savvy." ... this is something similar that i say to my parents for many a things... and "the clock still works" is something similar to wat they wud reply! :-)
One just cant throw away the things with such precious memories and then this clock is working for you as spy also for the maid:)..
I agree - the clock is still doing its job - reminding you of a special person in your life who gave you a thoughtful gift. It keeps time -- and memories.
It is amazing to note that the clock has given so much service and still works. I have bought several clocks but nothing worked so long. Now I don't depend on clocks.I get up with the sound of the call coming from the nearby mosque at 5 in the morning and even if I try to sleep after that the nearby temple plays loud music at 5.3o and then at six o'clock the church bell rings.
In any case you can't throw away that old clock because it has a sentimental value of a very dear person.
Best wishes:)
Joseph
Hello, my new friend! Thank you for visiting my secondary blog...I'm delighted to meet you!! I don't post at that blog very often...it gets the left-overs from my primary blog, "Sniffles & Smiles"...but I am so glad you came as it gave me the opportunity of meeting you... I love the story behind this clock...and I'm sorry to hear of your loss...I am a cancer survivor, and my mother died of cancer just two years ago. I cared for her in our home. It is a terrible disease. My heart is with you. Wishing you all the best!! Warmly, Janine
This was such a warm, great post. The clock image is so moving and the story is so touching.
What a great post, and what a great thing to have a memory. Thanks for sharing - and for letting us know that the clock still works!
Thank You Joe Chetan
What a sweet post!
I'd keep the clock, too. :)
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I enjoyed reading this post. A nice way to remember your aunt.. and a great metaphor on friendship.
As we were both mentioned on NRIGirl's site AND I love visiting other bloggers I thought I'd stop by and say hello. Nice to have met you, I've enjoyed visiting and reading your inspirational post, thanks for sharing it.
I also have a kitchen clock ( to be set as a timer) which must be atleast 70 years old. Does not work anymore, but it is there, for old times sake. I did a post about it too.
Hi Haddock! It was almost poetic! Thank you for sharing your story.
Please stop by NRIGirl, there is a tribute to fellow bloggers.
~ NRIGirl
Hi Haddock, thanks for visiting my blog the opd fountain is in central park new york.
nice post and story
That's a nice story... and my family has an old clock too that stops all the time, but we're not getting rid of it either. Enjoyed your Sherlock reference!
Beautiful- it touched my heart .I smiled at 'Shatabdi' because once we too had one 'Rajdhani' working for us.
Saw your photo stream ...lovely !
Loved your post. Has a ring to it. But the clock still works, sounds simple enough, but deep down touches a chord in each one of us. The memories of the person you love and respect still ticking alive!
beautiful.
An object described objectively but seen with the heart...nice.
A very touching post. May the memories live forever and the clock tick for ever.
It's a clock with a personality! I would probably keep it even after it stopped working.
Neat story. I just came across your blog. Nice.
Nice post. Aunty was an amazing person indeed
i totally agree with anand.this was wonderful..aunty truly was one of the few people who r genuinely warm bcos their hearts in the right place.was the pic taken at the onam at anushakti nagar?cos thats my last memory of seeing both of you.seems she was cracking you up with her kind of humour...keep them coming captain,.the other post bout railway journeys to kerala was a blast..took me way back to the funfilled summer vacation trips..
It's a beautiful story and also a lovely homage here in this post.Thanks for sharing your memories.
Léia
what a beautiful and warmhearted write - thanks for sharing this with us!
What an awesome story!
Thanks Joe, She was so near n dear to me.The loss is too much n I think of her evryday n pray for her soul.There is no word to express,how much I miss her.She was my right hand, advisor,n a true friend in need.No replacement, she is always in my heart. I love her.
I remember we all heard something 'ticking' when you carried the fruit basket, leaving us all wondering what was in the bag. We had a good guessing game on the journey back home and we were so relieved to find the 'clock'.
Some things are meant for eternity. This was one of that. Hope it doesn't give up ever. Take care.
Sweet post. Written with poetic emotions .
Loved reading.
nice story
Thank you for stopping by my blog. What a great post!! It was put together so well, written with so much love, from beginning to end!
Sorry about you Aunt. I dont think there is any other better way to pay homage to your dear aunt.
I'd keep the clock too. I keep a 50 year old, black, rotary dial phone, smeared with a bit of paint. It rings, but has too much static to speak on anymore. It hung in my Grandpa's basement workshop and triggers many memories of my grandparents for me. I can't get rid of it.
I love your post. It's amazing how even ordinary things have a stories and memories associated with them. Wonderful.
Wonderful story! I love how you cherish your aunt! You definitely is a very loving person!
@ Susan
The birds are doing fine, but I don't know what is happening inside as it is a closed nest.
@ Sanju
You are right, it was at Anushakti nagar and she was at her elemental best.
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