Once upon a time, there was the prettiest lady on earth that you can ever imagine. All active and sharp-minded, she aspired to conquer the world. A free bird who lived her life on her terms, and enjoyed each day of her life to the fullest. Until one day, an angel knocked at her door and sprinkled tiny droplets of gold on her. Right at that moment, that young girl was showered with all the riches of happiness from the universe and her entire life transformed instantly.

As she nurtured a precious pearl, she had difficulty eating various foods. She had to watch her steps and could no longer run or groove. She constantly gained weight and suffered leg and back aches. Her professional life went on a break. Her legs swelled and her skin became dull.

Finally, after going through rigorous life-altering changes and massive pain, she welcomed in the world, a tiny puddle of joy. A puddle that had taken over her being. A puddle in which the lady saw herself. A puddle that became her life. A puddle that changed the girl’s dreams and aspirations. A puddle that transformed her from being a girl to a young lady.

Physically, she has a bigger tummy,

She was being called out as chubby,

No eating, sleeping, or bathing routine,

No sign of a fixed regime.

Sleepless nights and fearing each disease,

This caused her skin to crease,

Internal changes and shifting of moods,

A different image of the life she had brewed.

The lady sacrificed all her freedom for the puddle. She decorated the puddle with small ornaments of her dreams. And each day would pour a bucket of good morals and etiquette to help it grow. Now the lady had nothing of her own because each day of hers was dedicated to the puddle alone.

Slowly and gradually the puddle grew and became a lively pond. The lady would play around it and have a fantastic time. Giving the puddle all her time, love and care remained a constant all-day job.

From keeping the water neat and clean to keeping it away from germs and fungi; from grooming the pond and its surroundings to make it a people-friendly place, for all those who pass by; from protecting the pond from thunderstorms to helping it expand smoothly; from showering her love on it to teaching it how to fight storms bravely — the lady spent years and years of her life in making, what was once a puddle and then became a pond to a strong, deep and steady river. A river that flows in its direction; a river that can now crash into rocks with confidence and can survive the turbulence of high tides; a river that is ready to meet the sea and then merge into an ocean of opportunities and challenges; and a river that is currently reading these words.

Yes, you are right, this is a story about your mum and you! The prettiest lady that you can ever imagine is your mother. Look at her and even though she might have wrinkles and salt and pepper hair, just feel her warmth from where you are situated and envision her beautiful heart and soul.

You may feel ashamed of her at times or call her old-school, but do realise that she’s the way she is because she was busy raising you. She wanted to see you succeed with such passion, that she stretched her arms to the fullest to push you forward. In reality, her feet stayed stuck in the same place where her journey of motherhood had begun. Henceforth, she could not make much progress in life herself.

However, now that you are deep steady river, ready to join the sea and then the ocean, provide your mother with a smooth and peaceful boat ride. You have become the way you are due to her struggles. Similarly, now you have to take her forward in life with you. Be travel buddies. You can be her source of motion that would take her forward in life while she will always be there for you to guide and protect along the way. Her love, care, protection and guidance will remain unchanged regardless of what time of the day, season, or her age. So make a great team and commence a partnership by gifting her a token of gratitude.

Mother’s Day is a day for us to feel the gratitude and eternal love we have for our mums, and this feeling is not bound to a day. This gesture of expressing our love and thanks to our mums, can be shown whenever and wherever we feel like it. However, lost in the hustle and bustle of life and struggling to fulfil our mothers’ dreams only, we sometimes drift apart.

Thus, do not miss this golden opportunity to hug her and celebrate her and all her achievements. Because what she does for us and the entire family is commendable and we salute all mothers for it!

Dear mothers, your efforts are not going unnoticed! We love you to the moon and back!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Published in Dawn, Young World, May 11th, 2024