Saturday, October 30, 2010

In laws or Out laws

Recently, I had been to a clinic for my wife’s cataract surgery. Wife was a little tensed considering this was the first time in her life, she was being exposed to the surgeon’s knife. Oh! that’s rhyming – wife and knife, and both are sharp and cutting. I am taking the liberty since she can’t read at present what is being scribbled.

Now for the high drama at the clinic. An old lady was being escorted home after the surgery. We were in the reception and we saw the lady fall (plonk) down. Phew! She was accompanied by her husband, equally old, and her two daughter in laws (DIL’s). Efforts to pick her up were in vain since it was just not possible for the husband to do so alone. The DIL’s were mere spectators, and I was confident - it was intentional. The nurses and the doctors were summoned by the husband for the rescue act, and one of the DIL’s was busy chatting with a friend of hers. My mom in law (MIL) and I looked more concerned and lent a helping hand but were shooed away by the Durga Mata (Hindu Goddess who killed the demon) stares of the DIL’s.

The doctors rebuked the family for not following instructions .The old lady required rest, post anesthesia. Tring, tring …. the mobile rang and, once again, the DIL was at it explaining endlessly her helplessness to attend a kitty party that afternoon. More amusement followed. The mobile of the other DIL rang, and Gosh!, she was a super brat. Very much in her own world, she was talking about a recent hit song “Munni badnaam hui, darling tere liye”, and nearby in the sofa was the old lady with her head spinning. Looking at the happenings, I was too sure that one won’t require anesthesia with such DIL’s around.

My MIL was smiling, probably proud of her priced possession, her well behaved son in law. One good act deserves another. So I made a mental note that I should at least lift my MIL when she falls down.

Now I have to be careful about two people not reading this – my wife and my mother in law.

15 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Probably a wise idea to keep this one out of sight! Love your post as always and hope your wife's surgery went well and I'm sure your MIL has good reason for being proud of you and her daughter! I often wonder why people behave as they do, haven't come up with any good answers! Enjoy your weekend -- what's left of it! And have a great week!

Sylvia

Debra Lynn Shelton said...

Hah! Yes, we need to pick each other up when we fall, especially those closest to us. Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your wife so she can see what you've been up to while her eyes were resting. ;-))

Ugich Konitari said...

These daughters-in-law behave as if they are under anasthesia themselves : oblivious to all around them. To them its a social occassion.

I have seen such types. But what I dont understand is why the old lady patient , was not given the benefit of a clinic wheelchair till the door , at least. (Those daughters-in-law would have demanded one for a toenail injury)

About the Durga Mata looks, I think we should all practice giving those d-in-laws some of those looks ourselves.

Wishing Mrs Iyer a great and fast healing, namaskars to her proud Mom, and a Happy Divali to you all....

Anuradha Rawat said...

Sir, sadly enough, the attitude is no longer confined to Daugter-in-laws/Son-in-laws etc! It has fanned out to even one's own children these days! So, irrespective of whether one is acting in the capacity of an in-law or a distant relative or a friend, I hope the humanity in people doesn't 'take a fall'!
And, for the way you acted, I am not the least bit surprised! You have always been a great teacher, mentor and above all, I have always idolized you for the person you are! Wishing Ma'am a speedy recovery! Wishing you and your family a Happy Diwali! :)

Kavi said...

Quiet leadership is quite some leadership ! Isnt it so sir !!

:)

nsiyer said...

Thanks Sylvia.My wife is fine.

nsiyer said...

Debrah, finally you are present. Thanks - I am no more playing truant.

Thanks Ugich Konitari. My wife is fine.
Happy Deepavali to you all.

Samyukta Ganesh said...

Hahaha....Enjoyed the post!...Its really sad to have DILs of this species(if i may call them that!):(...Hope your wife is fine now...Praying for a very speedy recovery...Ofcourse, your MIL has to be extremely proud to have such a wonderful SIL...its afterall Iyer Sir!

Saritha said...

How r u? I didn't blog for few days as my laptop stopped working.

Even in that situation those daughter-inlaws didnt help their mom-inlaw so can imagine how much they would have suffered.

Hope ur wife has recovered from her cataract opt.

Brian Miller said...

smiles. hope that everything went well with your wife...prayers for a speedy recovery...my MIL passed away a few years back, but for two years we were picking her up and more...

nsiyer said...

Ugich Konitari, thanks for your wishes. My wife is fine and she sees me more clearly.

Anuradha,thanks for those glowing praises. I am touched.
Happy Diwali.

Kavi, thanks.

nsiyer said...

Sam, thanks a lot for your good wishes and praises showered. Happy Diwali.

Varunavi, thanks.

Brian, thanks for the wishes.

Sushree said...

that was one perturbing incident, least to say! As parents, they sacrifice selflessly-only to witness such horror :( Hope mam is recuperating well sir!

Varsha said...

Ah sad.....

Where are the human beings

Sridhar said...

Yes, Majority of the people nowadys are like that only, unlike You and me. Very disurbing one. Hope seema is better. Nowadys only Lazer treatment, No knife I suppose.