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would rest.

Naithy had a life-long battle with asthma. During the harvest season, she had frequent
attacks of wheezing. In addition, for many years she had to be under medication for blood
pressure. But none of these ailments curtailed her life. She fasted religiously every lent
and advent, avoiding meat, fish, and milk products.

Naithy’s was a full life, full of care and responsibilities. She bore twelve children, of
whom two died in infancy. As was mentioned earlier, the accidental death by drowning
of Chackochan - named after her father- was a severe blow. Births, marriages, deaths,
tragedies, and unexpected events filled her life. In 1944 the wife of her eldest son died,
and twenty years later she laid Luka himself to rest in the same grave. These were heart-
rending events in her life. Of all the children, she loved her eldest the most. In spite of
everything that transpired in the life of Luka, his presence lighted up her eyes. Whether in
Athirampuzha, and later on in Kurumulloor, Naithy would wait with eager expectation
for the visit of her eldest son. They would meet in the kitchen or in the ante-room, chew
betel together and chat about everything. She would give him a quick run-down of news
and her fears. He would smile and comfort her as best he could. Sometimes they would
eat their favorite dish: rice in which lusciously ripe mango would be squashed and mixed.
They relished this concoction as no one else. It was only then that he would go to greet
his father. She loved her other sons. Chackochan was always solicitous of her, and
worried about her health. Thommy loved her from the bottom of his heart, but he
pretended to be gruff. In her final years he would truly demonstrate his abiding love for
his mother. As for Uppachan, he did not have the opportunity to get to know her and
love her personally, as he left home at a young age. When he would write regularly
home, addressing his letters to his father, she complained of being left out of his
salutations. Though this was not deliberate, it typified his regard for his mother.
Mathaikunju, her youngest son, was her joy and pride. Since she had him to love and
cherish as her last born, she showered special attention towards him. Besides, he was
designated to be in the ancestral home, looking after the parents. Therefore, she was full
of care and proprietorship for him. When, in 1969, he and his young family left Kaipuzha
to settle in Canada, she accepted it for their own good, but wept bitter tears.

While the upbringing of the sons were largely left in the hands of Abraham, Naithy took
special interest in the grooming of her daughters. As they grew up, she decided what they
would wear, what kind of ornaments she would get for them, and how they had to
comport themselves. She personally prepared her daughters to meet prospective husbands
and for marriage. Mariamma, her eldest daughter, was married to Chamakala Chummaru
Kutty, in Kaipuzha itself. This was extremely convenient for Naithy, as the two spent
much time consulting each other on many matters. Annamma spent a fair bit of time in
Kalluvelil after the birth of her eldest son, and that suited Naithy, as she needed all the
help she could get. Achamma left to join the Convent, and Naithy was proud. Theyamma,
the most educated of the daughters, was also the one farthest away. But when she came
home, she spent several weeks at a time with her mother. Therefore, she too was able to
see the enormous burden of her mother. As for Pennamma, she was the youngest, the
liveliest and the one who brought a smile on to every one’s face. She also knew what it

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