Saturday, May 15, 2021

Personal losses from the pandemic

I lost two of my uncles last Sunday to covid. Both are cousins of my mom; one was her father's sister's son, and another was her mother's sister's son - the one I mentioned in a previous post who was in the hospital under oxygen - are aged less than 55. Do covid see the age? The well do immunities survive along with early detection and prevention with mask and social distancing. 

Though we are not much acquainted with the paternal cousin of my mom, she got a lot of memories with him as she used to spend her vacations at grandpa's village playing with her cousins. I have stayed in their village during our vacation too, but I never remember seeing him there; perhaps he was out of the village on a job, our first intro was at his marriage. He was a flooring contractor in Mysore. More than 100 employees are working under him, and a lot had benefited from him. The youngsters from his village and family circle hired by him acquired flooring and become contractors themselves later.

I have been to Mysore twice, and both the time we stayed at his home and looked around the places. The first visit was after his marriage (1997), and the next was 10 years later, by then when he had three little kids. Only 2 weeks back, his elder daughter's engagement took place, and only my mom and brother attended the function following the preventive action. He has just built a big house in his village, and since the outbreak, he stays in the village with his family and makes monthly a visit or two to Mysore.

During one such visit after her daughter's engagement, he got the infection and spread it to his family. Many others who returned to the village from Mysore also had the infection, and they spread it for their share. He was on the ventilator for the last 3 days before he breathed last.

He's a respectful person, and during our visit to his house in Mysore, he treated us with such delight and made sure we are comfortable. His son just admission to medicine, and another daughter at college should be missing his father's support, and his family was dependent on him. Even though there won't be a problem with wealth, but still, the void left by him irreplaceable. 

Almost it was the same with my other uncle, the maternal cousin of my mom, though he isn't a big businessman or someone possession enough to leave their family to feel secure. His death was something that really shattered us, and we never thought he would die as he responded so well for the treatment of more than 10 days in the hospital with the aid of oxygen. And he passed away within a few days of discharge and while eating his breakfast at home.

He's not only mom's maternal cousin; he's my dad's cousin sister's son. So, he's related more than a way to us, and how could we not say his death is a tragedy when there's a series of death in his family. In 2019 his father passed away, and the following year he missed his mother, and in Dec 2020, his brother-in-law died prematurely, which has quite shaken their lives.

He's the one who motivated me to use a computer since he owned a DTP shop, and after I dropped out of school, I started learning computer, and it was through him I bought my first computer in late 2000. Because of the job of long seated, he got a serious back problem and was forced to change his work pattern. He shifted to various jobs, but he couldn't sustain a permanent job or income. He has two sons - one is doing engineering 2nd year and another studying in high school - and the elder boy is a smart and humble being.

I really need to say, his wife, who is also my cousin, is down to earth. And I have never seen someone as patient as her. She has gone through a lot of trouble due to the contradiction with her mother-in-law, but all the time, she was the one to step down, and she never complained about it.   The way she brought up defines her character, and I've seen her from my childhood, and she hadn't changed till now. There won’t be anyone who dislikes her, and what she exercises is all pure love and care.

It was not less than 6 months since she lost her beloved brother, who had been a great support to her financially and emotionally, and I couldn't imagine what kind of mindset she should be now. I could only feel disaster. I truly wish for the welfare of these families, and losing the family heads needn't a definition, and it's definitely a thorn trek for these families to reach the various summit. I hope they are motivated in some way to look forward to driving. Peace

I don’t think I need to define the situation in India as the world watches us; uncertainty continues as we are into the 6th day of the whole lockdown in our state Tamil Nadu. Keep us in your thoughts, please.

12 comments:

Anita said...

I feel so sorry for your loss Jeevan

I hope the situation soon will change

Destination Infinity said...

Deeply saddened to know about your family's losses Jeevan. I hope the families get the strength to move forward. Pls do console them and try to maintain a positive attitude in them.

Destination Infinity

Tom said...

...my sympathies to you and your family.

L. D. said...

I am so sorry for both of your losses. Each person and their personal conditions seem to dictate how they respond to the disease. The loss is really great if they were being the source for income. I do watch and listen to your country's dealing with the disease. You keep yourself as protected as possible.

Bill said...

I'm so sorry to read this sad news, my condolences to you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers, Jeevan.

Twilight Man said...

Oh dear. I also posted to say that I lost 2 friends yesterday.

My condolences to you and family.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeevan

I am so sorry for your loss, sending my thoughts and prayers for you and your family.
Take care, stay safe! I wish you a good week!

carol l mckenna said...

Jeevan ~ so sad to lose family members ~ sending you lots of distant healing energy ~ be safe ~ be well ~ Xo ~ Namaste.

Living moment by moment,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Rostrose said...

Dear Jeevan,
I am very concerned about your post. I have of course read that the Covid situation in India is extremely difficult at the moment, but your personal report is much closer to me than the general reporting. Corona is a bad disease. My mother died of it last December - but she was 94 years old and very frail. She had been nursing care for seven years and too weak to survive the illness. I deeply regret your losses and include you all in my thoughts!
Good wishes to you from Austria,
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2021/05/drei-schone-tage-im-april-und-besondere.html

George said...

You, your whole family and your entire country are certainly in our prayers and you will continue to be there. I'm so sorry to hear about the death of your uncles.

kestrel said...

My condolences to your family and prayers for India. It is not time to relax yet, the race against covid is still a marathon. You are right in saying covid does not discriminate. Stay safe Jeevan

Nancy Chan said...

So sorry for your loss. We have been praying for India. Hope the situation will improve soon. Take care and stay safe.