Mother

My Mother is 83 now. Struggling with Cancer,back problem,bed ridden,aided by nurses for her basic needs. She religiously takes all the medicines that my brothers/sister in laws motivate her to take. She has been through hell past 5 months.She wants to get up and move around without any help.She doesn't like any bit of it. She doesn't respond as enthusiastically to positive, motivational talks by her sons & Daughter in laws.

She was never like this. She was never the one to cow down. She had lived her life working hard and working for well of others.

I am reminded of a summer holiday , as a 10-11 year old way back in 70s. I was sitting on a chair and she across me.I don't remember how but, she started sharing the experiences of her migrating to India in the tragic partition of 1947, alongwith her sisters. I kept listening with awe,surprise and horror. The travails of 3 sisters , my mother being youngest at 20 / 21 , boarding the train from Pakistan to India and the help she got from Muslim friends. She was told by the Muslim Station Master, that being under instructions, he has to open firing on people when train stops at the station. He said he will do so, in air, & that the 3 sisters should run and board the train, irrespective. They ran barefoot across fields leaving behind all possessions they ever had.

That was my first lesson on history.

That was also the day I had an impression about my mother. She is strong & Brave.She never saw her father again.

Circa 1989 , in Meerut (UP) was on a rickshaw ( manual) with my mother.Felt very embarrassed and told her next time when she travels with me , it would in car only. Circa 91 bought my own car and was driving her mostly between Noida and Meerut. She reminded me of my resolve / promise to her, which I had almost forgotten.

That was my first lesson in Mother's pride.

That was also the day I had an impression about my mother. She will always make you look and feel better.

It was an awesome day for my mother , sometime in 1981 / 1982 .A Day when her eldest son , my brother, was starting his life as a businessman .She was all decked up and applied nail polish. I noticed it for the first time. I was all of 16/17 then. Later in the evening I told her never to apply nail polish ever again, as that makes her look like so many other women. She felt odd but smiled.

That was my first lesson on beauty.Beauty of a mother is unique & special.

That was also the day I learnt that all mothers are beautiful. They are unique. Each one of them. They should always stay that way , is the wish and hope of the children. Mothers must be preserved.

My mother married quite late.She was almost 27 years. Quite late , in India of 50s. Intrigued I asked her. The story that she shared made me think. She was there helping her eldest sister, a widowed women, help her raise her young kids , while the sister , a trained nurse, earned the bread to feed a large family. That was more critical than being married.

That was my lesson on Sacrifice.

That day I also learned that being self less is not easy. But Mothers do it effortlessly. It is second nature to them.

There is so much to write and share. Nothing can be enough for mothers. Any mother.

I was tempted to title this blog with my mothers name. I did not do so. I believe with some changes of dates and events , this could very well be the story of any mother in this world, as told by her children.

I live away , so I call her up and talk every week , atleast. She would never say anything about her health or physical condition unless asked. At end of the call she would say " Jeende Raho, Lambi Umra'n". How I wish each child can wish and say the same to their old and ailing mothers. Perhaps it is not customary. I am sure though a prayer in heart is as powerful. I know for sure God above us knows the heart of each child and is doing his best under the circumstances.

I am fortunate to have this lady as my mother. Literally. She told me long time back that she had planned to abort me. I was the third child. She changed her mind. What, If she had not changed her mind. I would not have known this beautiful & wonderful human being. My Mother.Thank you.