Susee Mable's Silent Meditations

Thirty-one years ago, on Wednesday March 26, 1986 , my mother Susee Mable's beloved mother, Victoriamma passed away in a Narsapur hospital in Andhra Pradesh, India. The day my grandmother died is forever etched in my memory because the pure, consecrated, unwavering and unconditional love my mother felt for her mother was so palpable . Upon hearing of her mother's passing, Mum whispered, " No, please no " and collapsed to the ground. Her heart broken, she was inconsolable with grief. Victoriamma M. Benjamin © Anandaraju Family Archives My grandmother was born Veeramma Tanukula (her Christian name was "Victoriamma") on September 26, 1913 to a loving family in the village of Chilukuru (West Godavari district). Her parents were Isaiah and Mariamma Tanukula . She had an older sister named Gnanaratnamma (Gangamma) and a younger brother named Israel . On June 26, 1926 , she married Mylabathula Benjamin an elementary school teacher who became an orda...

Mum's Jasmine plant blooms abundantly, as ever. Sixty-four years ago today my mother's beloved elder brother Victor passed away after a fall from a tree, just three months shy of his twentieth birthday. It was a tragedy that marked my mother's life in so many ways. It was the first time she had encountered a profound loss in her life. As a young child, she had to grapple with the harshness of the loss and the impact it had on her family. Her elder brother was a shining light of love and kindness. He was a protector, a comedian and a proud son. His presence filled up a room. Victor's passing created an immense and irreplaceable void. My grandparents Pastor M. Benjamin and Victoriamma bravely carried on but their hearts never recovered from the loss of their precious son—their firstborn. In 2009, my mother lovingly recounted some of her earliest recollections of her charming and enigmatic older brother. It brings my family a measure of comfort to know that our...

October 24, 1932 - July 24, 1952 “Let no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and fro through the mouths of men”—Ennius During his short time on Earth, Victor was many things to many people: loyal friend, esteemed student, devoted grandson, his parents' pride and joy, blessed child of God and my beloved big brother. He was the first born son of Pastor and Mrs. Benjamin—the eldest child in our household of six children. Bright as sunshine, he lit up our world. As gentle as a breeze, he was a calming force. Victor was a free and adventurous spirit who loved climbing trees, telling jokes and laughing heartily. My brother was a loving soul whose devotion to family was boundless. Handsome, tall and kind: he was a smart dresser who adored outings with friends, watching films (ones that were acceptable to our strict Adventist-pastor-father) and frequenting our maternal grandparents' home in Chilukuru, Andhra Pradesh. In July...