The irreparable loss that families are still trying to cope with

The second wave has left many families with an irreparable loss that they are still trying to cope up with. Some families have lost the breadwinner while some have lost both the parents leaving kids orphaned. A lot of condolences have poured in but are still not enough to wipe the tears off. An office colleague of a friend who left suddenly while offering his condolences asked the wife to gather courage to face such an irreparable loss. The wife still in a state of shock is trying to figure out how to look after the two school-going kids.

As the world moves on after the second wave of the pandemic, the world of those who lost their loved ones has come to a standstill. The reality of losing a loved one is getting replaced by the reality of a harsh and struggling life. For the young wife who just got widowed the biggest question is how to manage finances and how to take care of the school-going kids? For the orphaned siblings the struggle is just beginning. The journey of life henceforth is full of hurdles with no one to guide and that is a challenge.

The irreparable loss of a young wife

It was the third week of April when Deepak came back from the neighbourhood market after fetching groceries. The next day morning Rashmi noticed that Deepak was coughing badly and also having difficulty in breathing. Rashmi got Deepak admitted to a hospital but unfortunately, his medical condition deteriorated and he left for his heavenly abode after a week.

Rashmi was shell-shocked! The loss of Deepak was like a bolt out of the blue. Being a housewife she was dependent on her husband. How will she take care of both the school-going kids? Son will be appearing for his class 12^th board next year and is planning to pursue engineering thereafter. The daughter will be graduating to class 10^th next year.

The journey is going to be difficult henceforth

The journey is too long. Till the time Deepak was in the driver’s seat Rashmi was carefree and helped him with the navigation. But it seems God had some other plans. Rashmi will now have to take charge of driving as well as navigation. Both are not going to be easy. Being a housewife Rashmi will have to depend on whatever savings Deepak has left in the bank. Thankfully the three-bedroom house in Noida is in the name of Rashmi and Deepak. But there is a huge housing loan still pending. Rashmi’s parents are insisting that she moves to Meerut along with them. But Rashmi is not in favor of it. Deepak was the only son and in his absence who will take care of his parents.

It’s now a couple of months since Deepak left. Rashmi hasn’t got time to properly mourn her husband’s loss. Her mind keeps oscillating between the past and the present. She gets teary-eyed on remembering the good times spent with Deepak in the last 19 years. On the other hand, she keeps thinking of the future: how to manage finances from children’s school fees to meeting daily household expenses. Deepak’s parents are also old and need a lot of medical attention.

Help is on the way

But being a strong-willed lady she is not going to give up that easily. She used to teach English to primary school kids in Meerut before marriage. She has been thinking a lot about exploring teaching as a profession to support her family. To her surprise Deepak’s multinational company has come to her rescue. She has been offered a job in the company. The company runs a day-care in the office premises for all the young mothers. Rashmi has been given charge of that. Deepak’s friends have helped Rashmi to get the PF dues. It seems that God wants Rashmi to survive and stand on her own feet. The loss of Deepak is irreparable but life moves on and that is what Rashmi is trying.

The irreparable loss of a mother who couldn’t see her daughter’s marriage

All through her working life, Reena had just one wish of seeing her only daughter getting married. It was through sheer hard work that Reena had reached the top echelons of the corporate world. She was well-respected within her organisation. After all, she had given more than 30 years of her life just working for the same organization. Her commitment to work and dedication was unparalleled in the company.

Reena had many roles to play; a loving wife to a caring husband Sanjay, a doting mother to her daughter Preeti and a no-nonsense boss at the office. It was in the last week of April that Reena started coughing. She told her daughter that she was not feeling well. Within a couple of days, her condition deteriorated. The doctors advised her family to get her admitted to a hospital. Getting a bed at the hospital was a challenge. Finally, with all her contacts Reena got admitted to a covid hospital. The doctors did their best. Reena also fought the battle for more than a month. However, it was June when the family informed her friends that Reena had lost the battle to covid.

Remembering the one who left us midway

The family performed a quiet cremation keeping in mind the covid restrictions. The daughter who had just completed her post-graduation organized a zoom meeting to remember her mom. She never expected that so many of her mom’s friends will be joining the prayer meeting. The friends and office colleagues remembered the humane side of Reena and how she had helped people throughout her life.

Till the time Reena was alive she had only two wishes – One to see Preeti getting her doctorate and the second to see her get married. It was sad that she left early with both her wishes unfulfilled. But credit goes to her that she had groomed Preeti into a strong career-minded woman. Today in her absence Preeti is doing all that her mom wanted her to achieve.

She has managed to get admission to a renowned University in London to pursue her doctorate. For the time being, she has kept her marriage plans on the bank bench. Till the time she is in India, she is spending quality time with dad and ensuring that he overcomes this great irreparable loss.

Life has to move on despite the setbacks

Many families have lost a loved one like Deepak or Reena, but life has to move on. The absence of a loved one has created a vacuum that can never be filled. But whenever a vacuum is created fresh air rushes from outside to fill that space bringing the balance back.

Rashmi has to think about the future of her kids and support her in-laws. On the other hand, Preeti has to pursue her studies so to fulfill her mom’s wish. The second wave was like entering a dark tunnel and losing a loved one to the darkness. But remember that there is always  light at the end of the tunnel. It’s finally this light that will give strength to people and guide them through this difficult times.

Read more such similar stories on my blog. Click on the link below:

The pain of losing the loved ones: An injury that will never heal

The third wave of Covid-19: A myth or a reality