PHOTOGRAPHY, LIFE EXPERIENCE, MEMORIES
Cracking Open the Memories of Tradition and Heritage
April Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Reflect”
Nutcracker Reflections: Granny’s Timeless Life Lessons
My grandma’s iron nutcracker was a not-that-small but significant piece of her story. It sat on the kitchen counter, a sturdy and unpretentious tool that reflected the simple yet profound life she led.
I was the apple of her eyes and used to address her endearingly as Thamma.
My ever-smiling Thamma was a woman of few words, but her actions spoke volumes. The nutcracker was like her — tough, reliable, and ready for whatever task lay ahead.
She would sit on her favorite short-height chair, the cane one with the intricate carvings, and prepare her paan (betel leaf) with meticulous care, almost as if she were performing a cherished ritual.
I fondly remember her using it to crack open areca nuts, walnuts and pecans, her hands strong and steady.
The sound of the shells breaking was like a drumbeat, steady and rhythmic, as if marking the passage of time.
Each crack was followed by a divine smile of hers. She would laugh and talk with us, her voice warm and welcoming, the paan somehow adding to her wisdom, as if it were the source of the stories and advice she shared so freely.
After she passed away, I must have held it a thousand times. And every time I hold it in my hands, I imagine the countless times it had been employed.
I feel a rush of memories — sweet, warm and full of my Thamma’s unmistakable scent, her presence larger than life.
Now it seems ‘heavier’ than I remember, its cold iron surface worn out from years of use — a simple kitchen tool, now serves as a symbol of her enduring legacy and her unwavering mental strength.
A priceless possession, indeed! 🧿💓🙏
Hail Mary & Team SWPSC❤️🧿! Hearty thanks, Sandi Parsons, for a thoughtful April prompt💖.
Some amazing photo storytellers💖🙏💐
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