Mango Magic and Naani

I'm currently in India for fieldwork, and, as always, visiting my family is a must. This time, I'm lucky enough to be here during the much-awaited mango season. Believe me when I say: mangoes take over our lives. We’re a family of devoted mango enthusiasts spanning all generations. There's never enough storage—our fridge is always at capacity, and the overflow ends up in buckets of water. Yes, really. It’s a sight to behold.

As kids, we used to have intense mango-eating competitions. Because honestly, what could be more thrilling? Sometimes we overdid it and ended up with stomachaches, but never—never—did we feel a shred of regret.

Speaking of regret, it brings me to a conversation over lunch during this visit (because yes, even our conversations tend to orbit around mangoes). I had the chance to spend time with my Mami—my maternal aunt—who shared stories about my Naani, my maternal grandmother, and her fierce love for mangoes.

Naani was one of a kind—resilient, progressive, graceful, and overflowing with love. Life didn’t go easy on her. She lost her husband early and raised her children on her own. But no matter what life threw at her, she never let it harden her spirit. Her strength and elegance were matched only by her sense of fun and generosity.

Mami recalled a time when Naani’s health was quickly declining. She was on regular dialysis, and her pre-existing conditions had begun affecting her organs. Everyone, including Naani, knew she might not recover. Still, her love for mangoes never wavered. Despite the doctors’ advice to avoid them, she would quietly ask Mami to feed her mangoes.

“At first, I said no,” Mami confessed, “but then I realized it wasn’t right. The joy I saw on Ma’s face when she ate those mangoes—it was priceless.” Naani passed away a month later.

The following year, as the first mangoes of the season arrived, Mami found herself slicing one when she felt an overwhelming presence in the room. She kept looking around, expecting someone to be there. But she knew. It was probably Naani. Even in spirit, she couldn't resist the mangoes.

That’s how deep her love ran—so enduring, so vivid—that even her spirit returned for one more taste of the season’s sweetness.

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