The Better Half

One woman who lives the life of hundreds like her. Yet, she stands out from others. She is my Kavita Vahini. She has been a pillar of strength for my cousin Dada and his entire family. Theirs is a love marriage. Both were really young when they got married. But through all these years, she has stood by him through thick and thin.

She lives the usual life of an office-going woman in Mumbai. She gets up early, cooks, makes tiffins for her husband and daughter, cares for her father-in-law, travels through the over-crowded local trains, goes to office, works, comes back in the evening, washes clothes and utensils, helps her daughter in her studies, has dinner with family and ends her day with an early nap. Not once in all these years have I ever, ever heard her complain about this awfully busy and difficult schedule. Not once has she shirked her responsibility. And all this she has done whole heartedly, happily.

My Dada isn't well since a couple of weeks and I have seen her toil harder than ever. I have seen her stay by Dada day and night, literally. I can visit her only in the evening after office hours. But not once, and I am not exaggerating, not once have I seen her tired, forlorn, sad, and irritated. It's been hardest for her. Her daughter is left alone with her grandpa at home and she has to take care of Dada here. And yet, everyday I see her full of life, helping Dada to recover, supporting him, cheering him up.

Vahini's mother and sister are far away from her. They have their own set of problems. But she is brave and lives life blessing and caring for everyone that she meets. She is truly one of the strongest women I have ever met.

Her simplicity and strength, her values and her caring nature, her understanding nature and love for everyone are worth learning.

I dedicate this post to Kavita Vahini, who makes my world a better place to live!