It has been 9 years since I married Rohit and became a part of this beautiful family, and in that time I came to know Amma as an all-rounder.
I remember once asking Appa about the collection of awards in the showcase, and he told me that most of them belonged to Amma. From writing to creative thinking, to receiving “Best Employee” awards at Cochin Refinery.. ( thats wher she worked) —she was always at the top in everything she did.
I even came across her handwritten recipe book, filled with recipes for many dishes including doughnuts which was uncommon back then. Every page was written with neat handwriting and exact measurements. Rohit often told me how Saturdays at home were almost like a feast when Amma would prepare a variety of new dishes for the family. Food was her love language and she found joy in serving the family.
Amma had a way of finding cute coincidences. Amma told me soemthig she had figured out. she told that all the daughter in laws of the house.. their names started with letter a... aleyama..Achamma and now anpu.. and I jokingly told her that all 3 of us are originally from the same/nearby area as well.. Maramon and ayroor. we both had a good laugh about this. It was in these little observations that her witty side shone through.
One of our neighbor aunty once shared with me how she admired Amma every morning—always perfectly dressed in a neatly pleated saree, looking almost like an air hostess as she walked gracefully to the office. That was Amma—diligent, graceful, and inspiring.
But what touched me the most was her life of prayer. Rini once shared with me that if she had an important exam or interview, Amma would ask for the exact timing of the exam so that she could be praying at that very moment.
From her colleagues who have visited home, I heard how disciplined she was, always completing her work ahead of time. An example of integrity and commitment.
Amma use to call my elder son ryan sweetiepie. When he was able.to.talk he called her sweetie pie back. I think Amma was not only Ryan's sweetiepie. she was all of.our sweetiepie.
Amma also showed us what true strength looked like. She lived with Multiple Sclerosis, an autoimmune disease since she was 38 years old. In the last 6 to 7 years, her health declined with repeated hospitalizations, yet through it all, God gave her the strength to endure.
It was not easy to watch her struggles, but what stood out was the deep love and care Appa showed her—a rare and precious sight.
There was no place he wouldn’t take her—whether it was Dubai or vacations in North India. He carried all the medical supplies, made advance arrangements by calling the place for eg. to know if there was wheelchair access... everything needed to make sure everything goes smooth during the stay..even if appa forgets to take any of his medicines he wouldn't forget to take ammas medicines.
Amma never felt she couldn’t walk, because Appa walked with her. She never felt she couldn’t use her hands, because Appa fed her. When she could no longer speak, Appa spoke for her—because it was only he who could truly understand her unspoken words.
The Bible says in Ephesians 5:25: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
Amma is a living testament to this verse. He never complained or grumbled. appas selfless love and sacrifice is something I have never witnessed anywhere else.
We are deeply grateful for God’s grace that carried her through, and for the love that surrounded her until the very end.
Amma leaves behind a legacy of faith, resilience, and unconditional love that will live on in all of us.
[For new readers: This post is about my mother in law Achamma Suresh who fought Multiple Sclerosis , an autoimmune disease for many years. These are the exact words i spoke at her funeral]
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