“You know? I used to be a teacher at Durga Matriculation School, Kodambakkam. I was a teacher for 40 years, Mrs. Godfrey. My husband died 5 years back. We never had children, and were content with the small life we led. Its funny how after his time, I have been reduced to this.
But God is Merciful. I somehow manage to get the three meals I need. If I have money or food over and above my need, I am glad to share it with the other homeless companions in these streets of Besant Nagar.
I am a hungry and greedy woman. I need three whole meals a day. That matters to me in life. Nothing else does. Three, whole, meals.!!”
This was all told to me in english, by Mrs.Godfrey, at Besant Nagar two days back. I was shocked to understand how lives transform from one direction to something completely different. What amused me was, Mrs.Godfrey never complained about any of this, she took it in her stride, laughed a lot about her journey through life. She was still full of life.
Having asked why she wouldn’t join an old age home, she replied, “I have been to two of them. They treat me like I am a no good to live. They make me clean toilets, wash vessels and the like. If I don’t do the work given, I am not fed or simply I am thrown away. It is not that I am against working, just that I am old. 70 years today. I cannot walk 10 steps without a stop. My legs pain me, and I am in no physical condition to work.”
I write this today, with the hope that, some alumni/teacher association may be able to put her in an old age home where one pays to get admitted, and is not a free service where the inmates are treated badly. I request you all to share this note, hoping some student or colleague or anyone for that matter could do something to make her life better. I for one could only help her with a small conversation, a little company and one meal that day.
