THE CRYING LOTUS... (the end)


My mom had a great love of books and both my brother and I enjoyed reading books that she bought for us from time to time. She would take us to the British Council Library, make us read, then ask us to write a short summary of what we had understood. She encouraged all our hobbies: stamp collecting, coin collecting, playing chess and carrom, board games, card games and of course listening to music and watching all the greats of Hollywood and Bollywood. As the depressive state robbed her mind of her talents she started smoking cigarettes and her B.P. shot up while she gained a lot of weight. As we moved to Delhi in May 1988, several OCD's started taking over her systematic routine and more and more responsibility had to be shouldered by me, her primary care-giver, a reversal of roles. By January 1991, we were cut off from the world and losing our hope for her survival when an aunt and uncle arrived from the U.S and told my father to take her to a psychiatrist. He first brought down her extremely high B.P. and then administered electric shock therapy and medication to control the advanced stage of schizophrenia. An amazing doctor, he is still in charge of her health and my father diligently follows his advice. Hope my mother keeps enjoying herself with her grandchildren who love her for her beautiful heart.