Amma, sensors, napkins, life full of detailing...without the luxury of pampers and mobile phones!!

Now is the era of driverless cars and sensors, everything around is already smart, 58 years ago when my Amma, went to Kunnumkulam to be at her sisters place with her new born baby, (me), the only sensor was her instinct and her determination to be predictive and proactive to make sure her new born baby does not wet the bed.
I want to give the best of myself and put forward the best of myself and the best of me is never complete without the influence of many, from my parents, friends, teachers, many I have come across in my life; everything I write is very significant in my life and what has made me what I am.
My life is all about detailing and predictive planning!!! Memories of my childhood and what has been narrated by my parents and what I have experienced has made me what I am today.
We grew up in a recycling, reusing, reinventing society, we did not have a disposable culture, hence there were no pampers.
Amma followed regimented schedules, she followed very strict rules of baby care, she used to breastfeed me in the evening, make sure I was given a body wash and change of attire to the beautiful voil dress she made for me, these were very simple dress, called kutti-uduppu, it was a rectangular piece of voil material with piping on all four cut sides and the neck was shaped round and had 2 strings attached in the back of the fabric, which would just make a tiny bow in the back, there were no buttons or anything hard that could scratch the soft feathery skin. The back of the dress was open.
Japanese origami was put to the fullest extend in creating folded napkins from a bigger square piece of recycled Dhobi washed muslin mundu, all edges sewn. The fold was so cool and thick it prevented any normal and unforeseen leak in the night. I have not seen a better napkin fold ever in my life. Amma had a coir basket an upstand one which held the neatly folded napkins and dress enough to wash and wear for a week, a dozen was the minimum number for any trip. This was enough to manage during the heaviest of rains.
There was a small round pink plastic round powder case, with a soft snowy puff, and believe me this was the only time I have ever done any makeup ever. It was customary in Kerala to use homemade eyeliner for the baby eyes and adorn the little cheek with a beauty spot in black which truly looked like the crescent of a moon totally distorted never round.
It still rings in my ears, Amma’s story of sleeping with me in the front living room. She used to sleep with me right on the floor on the “Methapaa” which was a homemade ingenious mat from Kaitha a reed near ponds, these mats had a cushioned effect, this was widely used to sleep, sit during prayer times or for a chit chat. It was important not to sit directly on a cement floor and trigger rheumatism and cramps.
Amma’s mother, my Kayamkulam Valiammachy was an expert in weaving these mats and many more ingenious artifacts which was put to various household uses. She created bags, balls, storage nests etc., She was a master crafts person.
Amma was so vigilant in the night and early mornings, to run with me to the bathroom, the minute I woke up or tweaked. She must have felt my napkin a thousand times in her sleep. SENSORS!!!  She couldn’t bear the thought of being put down by anyone in anyway; if she got late to take me to the washroom, lucky are the mothers of Now!!
What would people do without mobile phones similarly what would mothers do without pampers!!!!
Hard core training, which started weeks into birth, which continued until I left home, in housekeeping and sensible behavior has helped me a lot, especially now, when I face life’s challenges which came without a warning, my childhood lessons makes me stay alert and focused.
I was trained to look into other’s needs, keeping my desires and pleasures away. Amma lived a life of absolute commitment, thinking ahead, making sure everything was detailed never allowing anyone to ponder for any of their needs.
Amma was very systematic, detailed, talented and extremely tidy person and most important she would never let anyone point finger at her for messing up anything, anywhere she goes. She added so much value with her presence, wherever she went, participating in any type of household work, cooking, shopping, organizing, cleaning etc., contributing to the needs of anyone with her leadership qualities and her fearlessness to give opinions with wisdom. I am sure she got it by sheer experience.
I am blessed for the amazing training I was given, I cherish each and everyone in the family who contributed to what I am to give the very best of me.