MB#34: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙚𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙩-𝙊𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝘽𝙤𝙣𝙙: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙃𝙪𝙗 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮.

[MemoirBlogthon#34] My father's house in Vijayawada was a hub of generosity, exemplified by my mother's daily distribution of mangoes from the backyard tree to all visitors. This memoir details the unusual and strong bond my parents cultivated with their tenants: charging below-market rent and attending to repairs instantly, which resulted in the tenants looking after them and even led to a matrimonial alliance for my younger brother. It showcases the power of community and kindness over strict commercial relationships.

MB#34: How Affection Created an Inseparable Tenant Relationship.

The two-story house in Vijayawada was much more than a structure of brick and cement; it was a living hub of community fostered by my parents' selfless generosity and meticulous care.

The Garden of Generosity

My father was an ardent gardener, viewing it as his favorite hobby. Whenever he traveled on official tours, he would return with vegetable plants, flowerpots, and saplings. The mango sapling planted at the time of the groundbreaking ceremony grew into a mighty tree, giving us fruits for pickling and savory summer enjoyment.

My mother managed the harvest with unparalleled generosity. She "used to offer away" the sweetest mangoes and vegetables to everyone who visited—family members, friends, and even local vendors. Everyone admired her selfless distribution, reinforcing the home's reputation as a place of plenty and kindness.

The Inseparable Tenant Bond

After my siblings and I migrated for our careers, my parents lived alone in one ground-floor portion while letting out the other three. My father created an exceptional tenant-owner relationship by consistently charging less than the prevailing market rates and attending to minor repairs almost instantly.

The carefully chosen tenants, primarily vegetarians, often took care of my parents in return. The bond became so strong that it was sometimes inseparable; one tenant's family even entered into an alliance for my second younger brother, turning a business relationship into a familial one. This bond of mutual care allowed my parents to live comfortably, protected by their community in their later years.

My father continued to care for the house itself with the same devotion, constantly investing in improvements: from laying water pipelines (1987) and installing a water sump (1992) to fitting mosquito-proof netting (1996) and contributing to the colony's street lights (2002). His meticulous care extended not only to the structure but to the community around it.

MB#34: Quiz

MB34-Question: The exceptional relationship with the tenants eventually led to what significant family event for the author's younger brother?

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• A. A new job recommendation.
• B. A shared business venture.
• C. A matrimonial alliance.
• D. A joint vacation trip.

MB#34: Quote

"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." – Ralph Waldo Emerson