A MARVEL THAT IS MY MOTHER

“If you want to be remembered forever, write something worth reading, or do something worth writing about.” I can say that mom will be cherished forever because what she has been and done are worth writing about. It has been my long time desire to put my pen to paper about the extraordinary personality of my mother to whom I owe my existence. So here comes a treatise from a simple son about his splendid mother.

Growth of the Giant Heart

            Born in a simple family of two daughters, she grew with virtue and responsibility. God fashioned her unique character with much gifts and talents. Her younger days were filled with artistic adventure and other creative capabilities. Her tender heart knew no deceit and despair. The way she went about with all her human qualities made people around her feel so good and warm. Caring for others, being responsible and sincere, taking lot of initiatives etc. were her typical traits.

            From her father she learned discipline and competency; from her mother she inherited tenderness and compassion. She had a loving sister to whom she became the ideal sibling. She studied in the institutions she deserved and her environment allowed her excellences to triumph. As she grew, her mind was sound and she was second to none when it comes to quality and creativity. Some virtues like forgiveness and kindness were at its best in her. If in a conflict she would be the first one to ask pardon and forgive. That was her angelic self; unharmful, non-threatening and unassuming. She was indeed a gem of a character.

            Given in marriage to a well to do family she did her best as the first daughter in law. Her parents in law found in her a pearl beyond price, exceptional in behaviour and temperament. She was blessed with so many siblings as in-laws. They all would cling on to her with so much of pride and privilege. She really owned her household and considered every person as her own. Slogging day in and day out she wouldn’t even manifest the slightest of grumble. In the destined time God brought forth three of us from her womb. The highest honour children can receive is to have noble and self-sacrificing parents. We were tremendously blessed by God in that respect. We received the best things in life; be it schooling, facilities to grow and opportunities to dream big, etc.

Against the tide of life
           
            Her wedded life was not all milk and honey. Situations were not at its best with my dad’s business. Financial crises started creeping into the family. Life testing moments started pressing from every direction. My mother daringly bore all the untoward state of affairs. She had faith and perseverance to endure. The economic burden could not even afford to pay the school fees. Many advised mummy to change us to some other school because of the fiscal crises. But my mom wouldn’t. She believed that her sons deserved the best. She would do everything for that. She fought tooth and nail to bring a bright future in our lives. Despite my dad’s complacency she was optimistic about everything. Not many wives in this world act protagonists when their husbands give up. My mummy was a visionary and she well knew how to cope up with life when things turn worse. She dared to plunge into new possibilities, she didn’t sit idle and lament over the given state. She was a woman of action.

            For my dad’s inopportune situation, she was gun-pointed. Her goodness was pointed out as a reason for my dad’s lackadaisical nature. What all mental agony and frustration she must have undergone. Just to keep the pot boiling in the family she was not ashamed even to work as an employee in one of our relatives’ private agency. She went out of her way to bring some solace to us. Nothing stopped her passion to turn things positive.

            Being aware of her intellectual giftedness she even walked into our school to seek some job opportunities in the field of teaching. But that didn’t work. Totally crestfallen and depressed she sojourned in the school canteen. There while observing the scenario she had a sudden insight. The insight that would turn her whole life and give her a unique identity. Catering was her vision. She envisioned a possibility of supplying some food packets to the canteen because till then they were only tea and snacks. She being a graduate in Home Science and housekeeping is outstanding in cookery and cuisine. Late did she discover that latent potential in her.
                       
Mending Meaning in Meaninglessness

            It was then started her days of trudge and toil in front of the stove. The sunrise would not see her resting. Her commitment called for hard physical labour. The famous vegetable biriyani wrapped in a small package became her brand. She used to wake up early in the morning and perspire in the kitchen to run the daily show. In the beginning she hardly drew any profit. What kept her going was the purpose for which she was struggling: that was to built up the family and make our future secure. Slowly a gleam of hope penetrated into our home. Mummy gained resilience and started saving resources for us. At that time, we were never serious and were all playful. She bore all the burdens and gave us the best for us. Well, she could have remained passive and put the blame on the situation, or she could have walked out of my father. She didn’t, her spirit was indomitable. Years she immersed herself in this career of catering. She cared a damn about her health or luxury; and what others would think of her.

            Today because of her proactive step our family is stable and in fact it’s evolving towards greater heights. But for her, we would have been famished and lost dignity in life. Her dream and uphill struggle made all the magic. Today reaching her (60) diamond years she still remains a robust figure; active and agile with her aprons on. She was able to find meaning in her meaninglessness. And that made all the difference. In life, the secret of success lies not in doing what you like but in liking what you do. I think my mummy lived this maxim. Nothing like her has ever lived or will ever live. We, her three sons stand tall on her shoulders, to bear her torch high. May God the source of all graces continue to walk with her as she sees the evening of her life. 

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