MB#7: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙀𝙣𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨' 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝘿𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧-𝙞𝙣-𝙇𝙖𝙬

[MemoirBlogthon #7] The bond between a daughter-in-law and her in-laws is often complex, but in our case, it was defined by unconditional love and service. On August 13, 2012, the day of my parents' 66th wedding anniversary, this beautiful relationship culminated in a deeply emotional act of gratitude.

MB#7: Honoring them on their 66th wedding anniversary.

In our case, unconditional love and service defined the bond between a daughter-in-law and her in-laws, which is often complex. On August 13, 2012, the day of my parents' 66th wedding anniversary, this beautiful relationship culminated in a deeply emotional act of gratitude.

Since migrating from Vijayawada to Hyderabad in March 2011 to be close to us, my wife, Subbalakshmi, had shouldered the full responsibility of their care. Though we took a separate house on rent for them in our locality to ensure privacy, the care was constant. My wife managed everything: preparing special food, coordinating their health appointments and medications, hiring and managing caregivers, and most importantly, spending at least an hour a day with them to ensure they never felt secluded.

In 2012, we moved to a gated community where we purchased two apartments, directly opposite each other on the same floor. This close proximity made prompt attention to their needs even easier.

The Surprise Gift

On the morning of their anniversary, my father called me: "Suryanarayana, can you both come over? Both I and your mother are waiting for Subbalakshmi."

I immediately noticed they were neatly dressed, as if for a festival. After we performed Charan Sparsh (touching their feet for blessings, or asheervadam) as per tradition, my father unexpectedly handed an envelope directly to my wife, who is the eldest daughter-in-law. My mother proudly declared it a gift on the eve of their anniversary.

My father asked her to open it only after returning to our apartment. I was curious, and admittedly somewhat envious, but I didn't ask what it contained. My wife, sensing my feelings, kept the contents a secret until the evening.

The A4-Sized Validation

The truth that was revealed that evening served as a powerful validation. My wife announced that her in-laws had given her a cash gift in a single payment. What I admired most was the accompanying note, written together by my parents in Telugu (our mother tongue), on a simple A4-sized white paper.

The note read:

"Our dearest and eldest daughter-in-law, Subbalakshmi: We are in our ripe age, not able to live alone in our big house in Vijayawada, and wanted to come and live with you all. It was almost one and a half years ago when we came and landed in Hyderabad... We have been experiencing the highest honor, respect, and affection accorded by you... We are grateful and leading a wonderful life. Every minute we are recollecting your services by sacrificing your family time and office work time.... We want to bless you, not just by following a ritual but by writing something like this accompanied by a gift of Rs…. Please accept this gift and use it in your own joyful way."

The note served as the highest form of third-party validation that a daughter-in-law could receive. It was a formal, written recognition of her tireless and selfless service.

The deepest ethical 'reason' behind this moment was trust. My father had come to a point where he had complete faith in her, entrusting her with his ATM card and PIN to handle his cash withdrawals. Not only that, but he would constantly observe her as she meticulously counted and stored the money in the house locker. He once tearfully appreciated her loyalty, saying God had sent her to them at their ripe age.

What a wonderful bond. Subbalakshmi simply thanked them, prepared their favorite sweet, and continued her service without ever demanding how she should spend the gift. Even after their departure, she often expresses how much she misses them. The 'anniversary envelope' was more than a gift; it was a final, priceless confirmation of a beautiful, loving relationship.

MB#7: Quiz

MB#7 Question: The emotional act of gratitude detailed in the blurb occurred on which specific anniversary of the parents?

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• A. 50th (Golden) Anniversary.
• B. 60th (Diamond) Anniversary.
• C. 66th Wedding Anniversary.
• D. 70th (Platinum) Anniversary.

MB#2: Quote

"A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal." – Steve Maraboli