18” the perfect height for a seat was first noticed when I perched myself in front of the Kaalathinna in the Erithil. When I sat there my feet never touched the first step, it was always dangling and so uncomfortable. When Valiammachy sat there, her feet touched the bottom step flat even though the tread was less than 25cms, and her knee was bending at right angle alongside the verandah. I started taking my comfortable position, with both my legs stretched on the cement floor, leaning on to the pillar, in the corner behind the Koovalam tree, like a dome camera with my visibility complete of the cows in the Erithil, anyone who came through the front gate to the house or out of the house from the front door, kettinakam and kitchen side.
Seeing how comfortable she was I have measured the height of the seat many times, Believe me I have done this for many chairs worldwide whenever I find them comfortable and they have always been universally 18”.
I had a diary where I kept notes and tips; I always carry a measuring tape wherever I go. Earlier days it was Amma’s old tape from the sewing machine. The start worn out which taught me a valuable lesson, a precision tip. Always measure from the first number that is visible or start from 10cms or so, and deduct that from the final reading. It’s easy to calculate without error.
This is so vital when we measure on site with the mason’s tape which will never have the first bit, and we will have structures short of the actual length. Remember these when we take measurement of Thondi Muthal (evidence) for cases you want to win. Now I carry the disposable Ikea paper tape in my wallet.
Later on, when I designed seats and chairs the 18” was embedded in my brain. That’s the right height for a proper seat; the feet should rest flat on the ground. Our knee should bend at right angle.
Valiammachy always answered my never ending questions with a lot of wisdom, sharing her experience and some of them were so funny and powerful. Even though she tried hard to tell me, I have to wait, everything takes time, I was always in a hurry to finish end to end. Amma said I am like Appa for this; everything has to done instantly and completely. I know it has been of great help in studies, I could teach others, house work, and then I have spare time to do other things.
But for life and its course of happenings, it took 58 years of my life to make me understand with peace that life takes time to turn around. I remember her words of wisdom and it’s been much easier and practical for me now to wait for things to turn around and I know it will, it has to.
Only animals and birds start walking, running, flying and grazing as soon as they are born. Generally they are independent from the time they are born, they have to get up, run or fly and manage.
We are the only species who gets all the privileges and we have to do things in progression, from birth until we start walking on our own. Help is needed all the time. Someone helps everyone and we keep helping the needy all the time, help is not quantified in terms of cash hand out. Its time, knowledge, willingness to help, teach, share, love, care for, never to forget the fundamentals, being grateful to God Almighty and many.
There are a lot of people who support us and help us stand, walk, run and fly. This lesson was embedded in my system and still is.
Valiammachy always reminded me never break relationships, some keep away, manage certain overpowering selfish relationships, bend don’t break, you never know when someone becomes handy for you or for someone else through you.
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