My Bhabhi

My Bhabhi

My Bhabhi Saraben Kundawala was a unique woman in so many ways. Besides being a great woman, she was a pioneer, educator, care taker, guide and a helper for anyone who needed help…..help of any kind. On a social equation, she added up to be a loving wife, caring mother, best friend, effective teacher and of course my loving sister-in-law. But above all, my Bhabhi was a survivor and a fighter.

She was the first woman from Dahod to go out of town to get advance education. True to her unyielding passion for helping and caring for others, she chose a profession of nursing. In her profession as RN, she was the most loving and caring nurse you will ever find. She touched so many lives with her tender loving care and a beautiful smile.

She played a vital role in my life. At the budding age of 20….in 1980, when I came to USA, I was overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle of American way of life. The cultural shock was almost unbearable. The food, the dress, the bigness of Texas, the roads, the distances, the driving, cooking…..everything had to be learned. My Bhabhi helped me merge in this society and taught me how to live the American way of life while still maintaining the Indian culture and values. Among other things, she showed me how to improvise…cooking Indian food using American ingredients.

Sara bhabhi helped me during my first pregnancy. Not knowing what to expect, she took care of every little detail in welcoming Rehana to this wonderful world. In 1982, I had to undergo a surgery. Once again, she took care of me and my family……..treating Rehana like her own daughter.

Bhabhi……..Thank you.

In Marathi language, there is saying that “Shahanu Manus Labhat Nahin”…..meaning nice people don’t last in this world. Mighty Allah calls them early. That is what happened to her. Some time around 1980, we learned that she was battling cancer. In 1984, the cancer reappeared. What is remarkable is that during all these years of her suffering, she never complained, was always cheerful and instead of us consoling her, she was reassuring us that everything will be fine. At last, in 1987, she lost her fight with the cancer. Still today, as a breast cancer survivor myself, she is an inspiration to me and others in USA and India. She taught us how to survive…….the biggest and most important lesson of my life.

May Allah bless her soul in Jannat.

Fatema Taiyab Kundawala

Dallas, Texas, USA