Why do we collect...
Just spent the last few days in Chennai to start on the inevitable task of looking into Vini's bank and other paperwork. I remember, how I would argue with my aunt, sending a zillion signed bank forms and KYC details and now when I see my name against the numerous FDs as nominee, it is heartbreaking. These are scenarios, which were not meant to be played now! As I think of own modest financials and future retirement and how that would pan out, I had always implored to Vini, to keep things simple and consolidated, write a will, but more importantly live well with what she had and not be obsessed about leaving anything behind. Like she listened!
It was almost a dark joke that as a banker herself, she chose to keep her monies in several banks and to make matters crazier, every branch possible of that bank! Nothing excited her more than interests generated and breaking an FD, before its due, was the worst cardinal sin possible. It took 3 days of relentless branch hoping and form signing and each time, I left a branch, it left me sad, that her name would be wiped of the records. Visiting all these branches, was indeed a pass time of sorts for her.
Vini and my mom were 180 apart; My mom's life was spent living in apartments and her, keeping things neat and clean, was an obsession. If some gadget wasnt used for 6 months, rest assured it would find its way to our maid or driver's home. Vini, could never let go clearly. Things well past its expiry date and usage, would be vying space with the current purchases and it would always drive me mad, that each time she changed home, she carried everything from the previous one. "Oh, you never know how important they could be", she would chide; when my maids offered to declutter. It was mind bogling to see the amounts of sarees, utensils, trinkets, radio sets and sundries, she had left behind. Just like my grand aunt, never had any children and looked at her possessions with overt care and concern. I wonder if it is the void of not having a normal family life, kids etc make folks collect things, just to feel secure and cope with loneliness.
Its funny, I talk about Vini, when the contents of my room, is enough to fill up a small apartment! I can never bring myself to give away things...oh these are new, these are sentimental, maybe I will read this book one day...the reasons I give myself, perhaps are similar to what she gave herself...Guess we are all alone in some ways!
It was almost a dark joke that as a banker herself, she chose to keep her monies in several banks and to make matters crazier, every branch possible of that bank! Nothing excited her more than interests generated and breaking an FD, before its due, was the worst cardinal sin possible. It took 3 days of relentless branch hoping and form signing and each time, I left a branch, it left me sad, that her name would be wiped of the records. Visiting all these branches, was indeed a pass time of sorts for her.
Vini and my mom were 180 apart; My mom's life was spent living in apartments and her, keeping things neat and clean, was an obsession. If some gadget wasnt used for 6 months, rest assured it would find its way to our maid or driver's home. Vini, could never let go clearly. Things well past its expiry date and usage, would be vying space with the current purchases and it would always drive me mad, that each time she changed home, she carried everything from the previous one. "Oh, you never know how important they could be", she would chide; when my maids offered to declutter. It was mind bogling to see the amounts of sarees, utensils, trinkets, radio sets and sundries, she had left behind. Just like my grand aunt, never had any children and looked at her possessions with overt care and concern. I wonder if it is the void of not having a normal family life, kids etc make folks collect things, just to feel secure and cope with loneliness.
Its funny, I talk about Vini, when the contents of my room, is enough to fill up a small apartment! I can never bring myself to give away things...oh these are new, these are sentimental, maybe I will read this book one day...the reasons I give myself, perhaps are similar to what she gave herself...Guess we are all alone in some ways!