Slice of Life: ‘I like the work, it gives me confidence. So it’s not all so bad’

Chennai

Am I 55 or am I 60? Well, I am not sure. I tell everyone that I am 55, but I have been saying that for years. I think I am closer to 60 now. But they do not need to know that. I have been selling flowers for about three years now. Earlier, I used to be a cook, but my health has gone down. I have a heart problem, high blood pressure and cholesterol. Because of all that, I could not stand and cook for long. My legs hurt and I could not breathe. My children told me to quit that job. In fact, they do not even want me to do this job. I have two daughters, one stays here with me and the other stays in my hometown. I am doing this job because I do not want to rely on my in-laws, or put pressure on my children. See, they already have troubles at home, including struggling to pay the fees for one grandchild’s schooling. I don’t want to burden them. Yes, I am their mother and now they can take care of me, but by God’s grace I still have strength in my body. I will work until I lose that, and then they can take care of me. When I told this to my daughter, she cried. What can you do. Things would be different if I had sons. But I did not, and this is what I must do now on. With this job, I make enough to buy medicines from my doctor, who sells them at a lower price because he knows I am old. I like the work, it gives me pride and confidence. So it’s not all so bad.