Life as I have Seen It

Author(s): Urmila S Dholakia
Publisher: Urmila S Dholakia

Page 53

=Life - As I've seen it =
The sons, however, were determined to fill their mother's old age with all the material comforts they could provide and so they used their newly-earned wealth to acquire a house, car, servants, and other means of making their her life comfortable. Despite these material comforts, the two brothers were deeply sad that their success came too late for their father.
Just as surely as day follows night, the two sons' hard work and God's grace were also followed by the marriage of the older Dosabhai and the birth of a child to his wife. Soon, the grandmother Indraben was completely absorbed in bringing up Dosabhai's two sons and four daughters. Then, a suitable bride was found for the younger Karamchandbhai who, reflecting the family's prosperity, was married in a ceremony notable for the lavish banquet organized for their entire community. Their ancestors' family culture was still alive and well, and was evident in the harmonious life Indraben, and her sons and their respective families lived. As time went by, however, emptiness was felt in this extended family's life by the inability of Karamchandbhai and his wife Manekben to have a child. A medical examination revealed that, due to some physiological problem, Manekben could not conceive. This news shocked everyone in the family. But, everyone had to accept what nature had ordained.
Everyone, that is, except Manekben who proposed that Karamchandbhai should marry again =
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