For She's a Jolly Good Fellow

In her memoirs, "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow", Vimla paints a vivid picture of a lifetime of love, family, and rich culture. Vimla's moving story is not void of heart-wrenching trials and real life tragedies, and she captivates the hearts of her readers with her raw feeling, humor, charm, and honesty. Vimla is a naïve, innocent, but spirited child. Growing up in the early 20th century in an India still under a British rule, and as the daughter of a senior government official, she was educated in an all English speaking convent at the foothills of the Himalayas. She describes the turbulence of the times, the final years of the British rule, and the trauma of the partition of India. At the age of eighteen she marries an army officer, who rises through the ranks and takes on his rightful position as a General in the Indian army post independence. Through three successive wars, she endures the heart aches of Military life with warmth and humor. Her memoirs contain a wealth of information about religion and the history of her times. Interwoven in the fabric of her story are major world events and deeply touching personal experiences. The discovery that her beloved youngest son is gay, is heart-wrenching at first. Though sad and confused, this experience deepens her understanding of life and its diverse relationships. Two personal tragedies leave her devastated but with hope and courage she manages to rise above them and lead a cheerful, fulfilled life. She later moves to the U.S. to be with her children and grandchildren. She describes how her experiences as a wife, mother, teacher, and grandmother deepened her understanding of life and are interwoven in her basic philosophy of love. The love she gave not only lasted a lifetime but will endure beyond the grave. This is her love story.