Dear grandma, I’ve often heard our elders and neighbours talk about Drongmaed family being filthy rich few generations ago, with its popularity spread far and wide. Upon hearing this again and again, I only wonder where all those riches went. But it is all the more better for us, so as not to have any disputes over it, although hardships at times were unbearably painful.

As you may be aware, we needed a proper home very urgently. The one we lived in for more than a decade wasn’t feasible at all. Except for one room, rest of the rooms was no less than a dungeon-like without any ventilation. But then my father single handedly constructed a kitchen outside and provided wooden floorings to those rooms making it a decent livable home that earned him all praises from our village mates.

We needed a home – at least an independent structure, where we could proudly enter when we come on holidays; where my sister Sonam would raise her young family; and where my parents would live peacefully for the rest of their life. But Acho alone cannot afford it. We waited until I got into the job.

Once my job was confirmed, internally my father started mobilizing resources. Unfortunately, when I was about a year into my job, my father expired. Another misfortune struck our already weak family. By then he had already collected enough stones and sawn some timbers while few more timbers were identified and marked for cut down. After his demise, we could not wait any further for we believe that the soul of the one that initiated the task would not be free until the task is completed. We did not want that to happen to our father’s soul. That same year, we constructed a beautiful house for our family at Tongitsa, just below your personal garden. Thereafter, our lives improved constantly with our younger siblings getting into job one by one. I can proudly say, today we are an independent and self-sufficient family.

Today, as I reflect upon the path we traversed and the state where we are now, I can read your lips and I can hear your voice from that murmur you made at the time of your departure. It was your final prayer and the last wish. You prayed and wished,

“Let this family be blessed with peace, prosperity and happiness; Let this family get a new home; Let not my daughter (our mother) suffer like me; Let my grandchildren get good education and grow up as responsible person; and, Let their happiness pass on generations after generations.”

Today I feel your prayers are being realized and I know you would be watching us from the heaven above wearing a pleasant smile as we reap the fruit of your prayers and wishes. Thank you grandma for your genuine prayers and wishes. I love you even more.

Yours loving grandson