Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 230

21 Jul 2019 55 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: , , , , , , , ,

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“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”

Groucho Marx

Oh, I loved this quote, Spidey!

This weekend I have been talking reading and books a lot, with my uncle, who came to visit me. This is my mum’s eldest brother. My Mamaji. And he lives in Kenya. I haven’t seen him in 18 years, since my wedding,

He’s a very special man to me. Another dad. And someone who has inspired me to read. Both him and my mother read copiously when I was younger, and though life may not allow them to read as much, even in retirement, they are both like me and would rather have a good book in their hand, than an eye on the goggle box, as my mum always calls it!

My Mamaji treated himself this trip, to an All New Kindle Paperwhite, and he brought it with him, to compare with mine, and to discuss book-related matters.

He’s a non-fiction reader more than fiction, and my memories of him are always of him with his nose in a book or the paper. I remember his bedroom in Kenya distinctly, with piles of books lining walls too!

In fact he was nearly a PhD Graduate in the 60s, but due to personal problelms, he never finished it, and it is a regret he feels keenly. He studied here in London, at Queen Mary’s College and Imperial College, both of which his took my aunt, my Mamiji, to visit last week!

There was a trunk filled with his belongings in my parent’s garage. My mum has kept it safe since it was entrusted to her care in the early 70s and she hasn’t dared open it, or get rid of it.

A couple of weeks ago, Mamaji stationed himself in the garage of Pops and Mum’s house, to rummage through his memories. The trunk was filled with all sorts, including a handmade suit of his, some other hilariously 60s clothes and TONS of books. When I phoned mum that day, she was laughing as she told me how he was like a child in a toyshop, delving into the memories of an extremely precious time for him.

I was in awe of his memory.

Even yesterday, as he mentioned the titles of some of the books, and the authors, some of whom had been his PhD lecturers, his eyes glistened with pure joy. He told mum to give the books away, as he can’t take them back, but he also had a ‘small’ list of ones he would ask her to keep, for memory’s sake.

I know I shall be rummaging around in that trunk before they get given away, to get another insight into Mamaji and his younger life.

Before he left, his parting words to me were, “Send me that book of yours when it’s done.”

Another member of my family who has been such a strong, silent support of my writing dream. He was so proud the day my poetry book came out, and I know I just need to do this, get this book published, not just for me, but for all those dear to me, who have so much faith in my ability.

So… tell me, who is part of your silent support group?

55 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Tikeetha T
    Jul 23, 2019 @ 18:49:09

    Love it. My ex supports me and reads everything I write. It really makes me feel loved even after a relationship ended.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. Rachael Stray | https://rachaelstray.com/
    Jul 22, 2019 @ 11:29:52

    Oh Ritu this is just lovely! I love hearing about who or what inspired people to read and like yourself go on to write books and poetry. He sounds like a wonderful man and how fab to be able to catch up like this after so many years. If you get to dive into the trunk for yourself please let us know what you find!

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. thereluctantpoet
    Jul 22, 2019 @ 01:17:48

    Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. Rae Reads
    Jul 22, 2019 @ 00:06:21

    My Better Half (of almost 55 years of marriage) has always been my one-man-support group, my #1 cheerleader. When I decided to go back to the university in August after a semester of “retirement,” even though I had not “run it by him first,” he said, “Whatever makes you happy, makes me happy.”

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. Darlene
    Jul 21, 2019 @ 21:51:11

    Your uncle sounds like a very special person to you. You are lucky to have strong, supportive family members as am I. He must have had such a great time going through his boxes of memories.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. willowdot21
    Jul 21, 2019 @ 19:29:19

    You guys here on wordpress and for that I live you, my sister F , my friends L and V and my eldest son 💜💜💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. syl65
    Jul 21, 2019 @ 17:55:05

    My mom and my sister have always been my core support. My mom was the never ending encourager and my sister just empowers me with her “go for it”, “think outside the box”, inspiring talks and her tough love. I can imagine your uncle being a treasure trove of inspiration Sister.

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. OIKOS™-Publishing
    Jul 21, 2019 @ 17:27:55

    What a wonderful story, sis! And its always wonderful looking back with things bringing the memories back. Answering like Erika member of my supporting group were my two grandfathers. You always need someone guiding you. Best wishes, Michael

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. johnrieber
    Jul 21, 2019 @ 17:00:12

    What a terrific story! I think most of us have that certain someone who is always there in our corner, always wishing us the best…and we all know someone who never achieved their dream goal, and we wonder why, as John Lennon sang once “life is what happens while we are busy making other plans”…may have paraphrased a bit but you get the idea!

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. joey
    Jul 21, 2019 @ 14:36:03

    That’s such a good and interesting story, ending on a sweet note. I’m floating around in the imagery of what would be in everyone’s trunks!

    Liked by 1 person

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  11. Nisthur
    Jul 21, 2019 @ 10:23:44

    I have not seen TV from many years from now…

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. Nisthur
    Jul 21, 2019 @ 09:58:48

    How is your leg now that got sprained long back…??? Lol you might be thinking what’s again and again he ask me ..?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. Erika Kind
    Jul 21, 2019 @ 09:51:03

    It is definitely my grandfather and my deceased dad. My grandfather was my first friend and he told me so much about history since he was a soldier in WW2. He was around twenty. And my father taught me a lot for this life and for hanging in, staying cool when things get rough, not giving up only because it is difficult.

    Liked by 1 person

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  14. charlypriest
    Jul 21, 2019 @ 09:40:10

    So Spidey took the quote from Groucho Marx….. that is copyright infringement!
    I thought Spidey was good, I´ll have to reconsider my thoughts on him……

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. Marje @ Kyrosmagica
    Jul 21, 2019 @ 09:21:34

    How lovely Ritu. My mum, dad and eldest daughter are my biggest supporters. Especially mum and Natasha who both read and gave feedback on my first book. Both are keen readers and Natasha writes too. My youngest and hubby are proud of me too but don’t read much as they are both dyslexic.

    Liked by 2 people

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  16. robertawrites235681907
    Jul 21, 2019 @ 08:56:33

    A lovely time, Ritu. My mom is my biggest writing supporter and reads everything I write.

    Liked by 2 people

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  17. pranabaxom
    Jul 21, 2019 @ 06:08:27

    I love TV, I always have a good sleep when the TV is on. 😂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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