Sheeba Aunty gave birth to Alex a couple of months after my mom had given birth to me. Therefore, most of our childhood was spent together. Sheeba Aunty has always been a free spirited person and known for her positive energy. Sheeba Aunty and Jose uncle were always there for my family and made sure we never missed out on any opportunities in life. When I was younger, all the cousins would get together to go to the old house so that we could go swimming. I remember Sheeba Aunty would make so much food for all of us. One of my favorites was her teriyaki chicken. Another memory I have of Sheeba Aunty was when she would pick up me and achu to go to block buster with alex and Robin to pick out a movie and watch at their house. She would also take us to the movie theater and allow for us to get any snacks we wanted. I remember going with her to Little India and helping out at the store and looking at all the sarees.
Sheeba Aunty has always been an adventurous person. She would plan different trips for our families to take. She was really good at getting the whole family together and creating memories. Whether it was any six flags adventure, getting a coach bus to go to kings dominion and Canada, or even going on a cruise to Bermuda ... she definitely helped make our childhood more memorable. When I was a kid, I wanted to become a teacher. Therefore, I would play school with Robin and would pretend I was his teacher. This was before he even started pre-k. When Robin started school he was ahead of his class. Since then, every achievement Robin had received Sheeba Aunty would always say that I was his first teacher and would always thank me for what I taught him. But the thing is alex and Robin had a mom that set an example of excellence through her words and actions. She was their first teacher and one of the greatest teachers to have if I say so myself. She made all the cousins believe the sky was the limit and that we can achieve anything we set our minds to. She was so excited when I was about to start college and I decided to major in nursing. She helped me out with everything college related. She had a passion for nursing and helping others that she would try to persuade all of the cousins to choose a career in nursing as well.
Last year, when Jose uncle and Sheeba Aunty took a trip to India she had asked me to watch her two boys while she was gone. I told her of course and I promised that I would make sure that they did not get in to any trouble and were safe. Sheeba Aunty I know you are watching them from above, but I will still keep that promise in watching over your two boys.
To many she was Dr. Sheeba Paranilam, but to me she was just simply Sheeba Aunty. Someone I could go to for guidance. Someone who knew how to love with their whole heart. Someone who was a God Fearing woman. Someone who had accomplished so much in such little time that she was here. Someone who wanted the best for their family. Someone who would put others first before themself. Someone who led by example. Just someone who I look up to and want to be more like.
