I don’t know her name but we visit with her every year we are in Thailand. She is always referred to as ‘grand mum’. She is family. She doesn’t know when she was born and lost her birth certificate somewhere along the way. She knows she is somewhere around 90 years old and certainly looks to be in that age range. Her son says she is somewhere in her 90th year.
This year she consulted a fortune teller – he told her she has one more year to live until age 91. I told her ignore that advice and be here when we come back later this year!
I looked at the books she is reading. All in Thai of course as she doesn’t speak or read a word of English. One caught my eye. The cover did. Varanasi obviously. We were there a few years ago and and I had a momentary flashback to the sensory overload that city on the Ganges can deliver. This book was about life there and Buddhism in the region.
She doesn’t wear glasses and can see perfectly. Her mind is sharp as a tack.
Women from her era didn’t travel much – mostly staying around her village. She has never been to Bangkok in her life despite it only being a 2 hour car ride away.
Her teeth are stained red from decades of chewing the Betel nut.
I hope we see her again later this year. It is always sad saying goodbye.
For some, the provincial life is all that one needs to be fulfilled. She sounds like a really nice lady … hope you get to see her again!