My Grandfather : Silver in his hair and gold in his heart

Article written by Ann Mary Josmon, HOSD 2015, Christ University

I am proud to write an essay on the person who is always an inspiration to my dad and to me; my grandfather. His name is John Kattukaran. Being through all the stages of life, he is now in his 80’s. Though his hairs turned out to be white as snow he is very young at his heart. When I told him about writing an essay on him, he was happy that there is someone who is keen in knowing about him. Also he was trying to describe himself in such good usage of words that I had to just convert it to English.

He was born in Thrissur district on 28th Feb, 1930 to a well off family. He had 4 elder siblings. When I asked him about his childhood and schooling it was a bit indigestible to hear him say he was to schools only till his 10th because the knowledge that he has about different kind of things that we go to schools  and colleges and learn was massive. He had to quit his schooling not because he was not good at studies but because of his lack in opportunity to study, the reason being poverty at home. Though he has lost some of his childhood thoughts he still remembers him being very enthusiastic and eager in studying more. He was some who read a lot of books by borrowing it from the public library. Even now my dad gets him books to read.

Later in the 60’s, he was married to Mary who was a good support for the rest of his life. My dad was the second one among the three of their children. My grandfather had tried his level best to provide education to his children since he fell in short of the opportunity. He had set up a juice shop, which was the best during that time. From the income derived out of it he managed to make his daughter a teacher and got her married. But during the college of my dad, he fell sick that my dad had to drop out and earn for the family. Like my grandfather even my dad was interested in books.

Though not recognised much he seemed to be an artist in the theatre field for few years during his middle age. He is also good at art making and painting as well. He used to write and paint billboards for certain shops for earning his livelihood. He makes artistic models by carving it on thermocol. The two existing artwork of him is the statue of Jesus and Mother Mary, which we have it at our home. He is also very creative in his thinking. He still gives us ideas in doing certain assignments and project work and also helps us in making crib during Christmas, flower carpet during Onam, and in decorating the house during some functions.

My grandfather was someone who always motivated his children in everything they do. He is also a motivation to all his grandchildren. Though he is got less knowledge about the courses and education of today, he still enquires us about our studies and gives us good support during our exams. He is a person who makes lots of intercessory prayers for us during our exams so that we write those good. He is also a person with lot of moral and traditional value which he passes on to everyone in the family.

 He is still very keen and eager in gaining knowledge. He watches all the possible news channels available and tries to know about the world. He is also interested in politics. We children who hate watching news channels started liking it because of him. He is always a man who shares his knowledge with us and he love doing so. His favourite sport is cricket and he never misses any of the league matches that take place and enjoys the matches by watching it with us children. He is not a man who sits idle when at old age. Even though he is in hold of illness, he still manages to have a morning and evening walk to maintain his health. He is also someone who loves tasting new cuisines and also sometimes suggests recipes to my mother.  He spends good time with his wife by speaking to her and supporting her always and helps her in walking because she finds a little difficult to walk. He also identifies and understands the interests of us children and informs our parents about it. He is also very friendly with us and gives us money from his pockets to get some snacks.

My grandfather once told me:  “There are two kinds of people in the world, those who do the work and those who take the credit.” He told me to try being in the first group. I respect my grandfather for what he is and am proud to be his granddaughter...