My husband, John is horrified and is bombarding Juji (my sister) with too many questions. All  because she is pregnant. What is she doing? Does she not comprehend they enter their teenage years? Crave cars and demolish them? Drive you bonkers? We have lived through raising three children. John was not a happy camper during their teen years!

Juji phones me a week before the baby’s due date. The baby is breached, and they schedule a C-Section for April 26th. She is extremely unhappy. “I can’t even see my feet,” she wails. I assure her Mummy will arrive within a day to support her before and after the baby comes. We do not know if it is a boy or a girl.

I call our mother in Ottawa and we have another distraught family there. My other sister, Munna, is suffering a betrayal. How can Mummy leave her and her children, Vanita and Nalin? Her rationale falls on deaf ears. Our Mom will have none of it and clarifies her stand.

“I have cared for your kids from birth to their teenage years. They do not need grandma to take care of them now. Juji needs support with the new baby, I must go to her.” She packs her bags and is on the next flight to Baltimore.

A call from Mummy, the 26th afternoon, informs me “It’s a girl.” “Wow!” I say, “Baby Tara has arrived!“ She adds, “A beautiful girl, hair swept back like she has just returned from the beauty shop.” Mom observes hairdos, jewelry, and clothes.

Driving back home the same evening, Fred, Juji’s husband, confides in Mummy.

“I am getting anxious.”

Mom laughs. “Why? What is there to be concerned about?”

“She is pretty-boys will be after her.”

~~

Baby Tara is three months old before John and I meet her. My husband is smitten and declares Tara his first grandchild.

Two years later, we are together on vacation in Sarasota, sharing a condo on the beach. Fred and the kids want to go parasailing. He requests the boat captain to steer it close to the condos. We are on the tenth floor, and John spots Fred floating by. They both yell and wave to each other. A small arm emerges from behind Fred, waving to her Uncle John. Seeing the tiny hand, UJ loses it, and sputters his way through a few jumping jacks. Back from the beach, Tara makes a beeline for her uncle, who simply sweeps her into his arms. Bursting with enthusiasm, she prattles and asks if he noticed her. She had seen her UJ. “You were hopping and waving.”

~~

Another time, Tara gets into an argument with Grandma and sticks her tongue at her. Juji sees it and grabs her, insisting an immediate apology. Tara scowls at her grandmother and utters, “Sorry.” Her Mom squeezes her arm.

“Say it and mean it!”

Tara looks at UJ for support. With a wagging finger, he tells her to apologize properly. Which she does. She receives a series of hugs from Grandma, Juji, and her dear uncle.

~~

A few years later, Fred and Juji move to Chicago. While they are house-hunting, John invites them to stay with us in Naperville.

He is full of praise for Tara’s upbringing. She can list the planets and shows her clear passion for books and music. Grandma reads to her as she goes potty. Tara listens and corrects her pronunciation. The itty-bitty pumpkin can also perform ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ on her kiddy violin.

~~

Mummy’s birthday is approaching and Tara is excited at the prospect of delicious cake and blowing candles. At the store, she chooses one with rosettes—a large red rose surrounded by three tiny ones. Fred and Juji will miss out, they are back in Baltimore.

Mom is at the table and smiles when she sees the cake. Tara lays claim to the big rose in the center. UJ hears her and says, “No! It is Grandma’s special day, and the big flower is for her. The smaller ones are for us.” A tantrum ensues to which her uncle responds, “In this case, you will not have any.” In a huff, Tara struts out and sits in the stairs. She can see the kitchen in the broad mirror. She watches me serve Grandma a slice with the biggest rose. Mummy dawdles and John insists she eat it.

Watching, Tara beckons me, with an “Aunt Sunita, come here.”

“UJ hurt my feelings. I have a plan. My wedding cake will have roses on it. The largest one will be mine, and the smaller ones for my flower-girls.”

Tara is familiar with flower-girls, having been one at both our boys’ weddings.

“Uncle John will have none of the flowers.”

I say, “Good plan Tari-Bo. Let’s inform UJ.”

Tara marches back to the kitchen while I announce plans for Tara’s wedding. Uncle John listens, nods, and says,” Well, in that case, I will be a flower-girl.”

How can that be? Tara chirps, “Flower girl! Girl! Girl! Girl!” Her uncle is busy doing a slow skip, tossing imaginary blossoms in the air.

Tara repeats “UJ, it is girl! Girl! Girl! Get it?” He continues, head thrown back, eyes shut, still dispersing petals around. Tara takes a forkful, gives a thumbs up for the rosette, beams all around, proclaims,” He doesn’t get it.”

~~

Tara has a close friend in the neighborhood. They play together most of the day. At bedtime, on long summer evenings while it is still daylight outside, a chit-chat goes on between heads peeking out from facing bedroom windows. Several strollers in the twilight are amused, as two little girls keep chatting over their heads, across the street.

Parents of Tara’s friend are taking her to the movies. They stop by to ask if Tara could join them as well. UJ is in charge since Fred and Juji are in Baltimore. She looks with pleading eyes-she wants to go. He thoughtfully responds.

“Tara’s parents are not here, and I think they would have allowed her to go to this movie. But not being sure, I cannot let her go.”

UJ is amazed at this sudden burst of power exerted over a five-year-old. He blurts, “I love it! I love it!”, while doing a small jig. Tara is in tears. He recommends they enjoy the Cartoon Network and devour a massive bowl of ice cream topped with an abundance of sprinkles. The rest of the day is relaxing for everyone.

~~

Sitting in front of the television is the only place John can relax. He loves to have his snacks, beer, and lunch while watching the Mike Ditka Show. Tara refers to these as his lucky meal.

Lucky meals? What’s that? Tara is upset, her Mom is out of town for a business trip. Tara will not eat her breakfast. Mummy tries to cajole the agitated child several times but no go. Finally, she calls Tara for a lucky breakfast. “Huh?” Tara’s head pops over the railing, and she comes running down. I ask, “What makes it lucky?” I receive a breathless response.

“Aunt Sunita, we eat breakfast and watch TV at the same time!” More leaping and hopping.

~~

John’s favorite movie is Flash Dance, and he is fond of playing the song “Gloria” repeatedly. He delights in the moves on the screen, and he will often start dancing himself. His dance companion? You guessed it—Tara.

During winter, unable to play outside, she waits in her leotards for UJ and me to return from work. As we step into the house, Tara is ready. “Come on UJ! Let’s play Gloria (the LP) and dance!”

~~

Tara occasionally gets in trouble and one of the disciplinary measures is a ban on TV. With the exception she can monitor whatever UJ is watching-mostly news, sports, or the stock market. But amazingly, when Tara snuggles up to her favorite uncle, the channels change to a Disney movie or the Cartoon Network. Her parents are in no position to object.

~~

It is winter and we return from work in a snow storm. John is eager for his new toy; a self-propelled Toro snow-blower. He maneuvers the car into the garage and gets ready to clear the driveway.

It is still snowing, and John gears up the blower. His helper, Tara, is ready in her snowsuit and boots. Glancing out the window, I see him move back and forth along the driveway and sidewalk. As he passes Tara shoveling with her small spade, he turns the chute towards her to shower her with freshly blown snow. Fun!

~~

One morning, Tara is chatting with our neighbor. She mentions UJ, and the lady goes, “I had an Uncle John whom we called UJ.” Tara gives her a challenging glance saying, “But our Uncle John is totally crazy.” The neighbor certainly cannot match this and laughs. “We all know too well.”

~~

John has to visit Florida to wire the second floor we are adding. He has been gone two months and is due to return later today. Tara has been busy all day at her computer in the basement. Mummy called her for lunch and again when her friend comes knocking. She is too occupied to play. Later in the evening, Tara emerges with a small sheaf of papers. She has been printing WELCOME HOME UJ, one large letter to a page, and coloring these with crayons. We help staple these pages and string them across the fireplace, as UJ drives up. Tara is out like a bullet to greet her uncle.

~~

In 2008, as the economy tanks, Fred and Juji’s business takes a hit. The state owes them, insurance companies owe them, but their coffers are depleted. Juji is afraid if this continues, they may not send Tara to med school. Tara overhears her parents’ discussion and quietly changes careers. UJ hears this and is adamant. It is imperative Tara attend medical school, and we will guarantee funds. We visit our financial managers to establish an account for Tara.

The advisors ask. “How old is this young lady? Do you realize she can clear all the money in one fell swoop and …… Or worse, she could have a boy-friend who convinces her of better ways to spend it?”

John is resolute. The account has to be in her name, and yes, he knows the dire possibilities. They create the paperwork and need Tara’s signature. They propose ways in which we could get her signature without her knowing what is going on.

His response, “Hmm, that defeats the purpose, doesn’t it? She needs to know funds are available for her schooling.”

John dies just as Tara is preparing for her MCATs. At the funeral, she speaks about UJ and lets everyone know he is “the reason I will go to med school.”

Some things are a challenge. Tara misses the initial wave of applications. She is wait-listed in four different colleges – does not get admission into any. She gives it one more shot. Enrolls for her Masters and takes the MCAT two years later. In a few weeks, she calls me, jubilant, “Aunt Sunita, I am in.”

Tara completes med school, specializes in Infectious Diseases, to follow in her grandpa’s footsteps. Our mother is over the moon! At last, Daddy’s granddaughter is a bona fide medical doctor. None of us children followed Dad into medicine, Mummy had pinned all her hope on her grandkids. To the end, her gratitude to UJ is boundless.