I’m so heartbroken. Just when I started recovering from this terrible flu season, a grevious loss occurred in my maternal family. On Wednesday, January 24th my Aunt Shanta passed away. Shanta Peddamma was amazing and she was the light of the Macherla and Ananthula families. I remember the beautiful glow in her face, her big eyes and that addictive laughter. The second sister of seven wonderful sisters and she was such a blessed role model for everyone that knew her. I have so many memories of visits and sleepovers at Salimnagar, how Shanta Peddamma always put flowers in dad’s ear and how she helped plan so many family events. She helped match so many wonderful couples in our family together. I even remember how in 2015 when I went to India, we had Pelli Choopulu at her house in Salimnagar. It was quite interesting meeting matches and she was the mediator for me that trip. But the best of my memories of her were during my engagement and wedding events how wonderful she was and how much she took care of everything. I remember the morning of my engagement party that all my Peddamma’s and my Mani Atha came to the hotel. They helped get all the gifts for Saikiran and his family ready. I also remember the last date that I went to with my husband when we had gotten engaged and he came to the Salimnagar house to pick me up. We spent some quality time with Shanta Peddamma and everyone that was there that day. I remember the Pasupu Kottadam function and the rest of my pre-wedding events. I remember at my wedding she had one of the best seats on the stage so she could help coordinate all the rituals. It’s hard to believe that she’s gone. We all loved her and she definitely knew that. I will definitely miss her. Now we have three angels in heaven: Prabhu Mama, Pedha Peddamma and Shanta Peddamma and they will always be in our hearts for eternity.
Here’s a poem that I just wrote today in honor and memory of her.
We lost a beautiful woman, wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-aunt and great-grandaunt ten days ago. She will forever be in our hearts and she might be gone but will never be forgotten. Thanks for everything that you have done for everyone in our family. I will miss you dearly as well as will everyone who loved you. Love you Shanta Peddamma. May Your Beautiful Soul Rest In Peace!
