Everyday Moments, Lasting Love: When Moms Go the Extra Mile for Their Children

Calling my mom an amazing cook would be an understatement. She is a natural! My sister and I have grown up savouring her murukku, halwa, biscuits, her special eggless cake and much, much more. Her dishes were a big favourite with my friends at school and college too. Her pulao, with its generous mix of cashew and paneer cubes, would quickly pass from one hand to another. I still remember the look of satisfaction on my friend's faces after their spoonful.

When I was pregnant (I was in New York then) and unable to relish anything, imagine my delight when my mom prepared all my favourites and sent them across the globe through multiple friends and family. It was a lifesaver! And now my toddler is turning out to be a big fan of her cooking, too.

Now, in this lockdown, my husband, daughter, and I have mostly been having just regular, basic food, and yearning for some yummy snacks. (Sadly, I haven't inherited my mom's interest or talent in cooking.) The other day, my mom called up to say that she's sending some essentials through Dunzo (the delivery app). The package arrived. When we opened the package, apart from the essentials, out came pakodas, kara sev, halwa, and laddoos, all laboriously prepared by her. One of the best surprises ever!

 Divya Ramesh, Senior Editor

When I was six, I used to bring home stray and abandoned kittens all the time. But when I was at school, my mom would ask our house help to take the kittens away and leave them in the fish market. I wanted a cat, a pet, so very badly. But for my mom, it was just extra work and a nuisance. But I never gave up. Every time I found a stranded kitten along the roadside, my heart would go out to it. And I would try my luck and bring it back home, hoping Mommy Dearest would let me keep it. But, nope, every time she would get rid of it. This went on for quite a long time. Finally, the day came when she gave up! It was one of my happiest days ever. Yes, I had my very own pet. Mom was very helpful, sweet, and involved, and she taught me how to take care of it, and soon I was on my own, taking care of my pet.

It was a female kitten. So, the population of cats increased, much to my delight. At one point, I was taking care of 36 cats in my backyard (kittens and grand-kittens). And my mom supported me throughout (although it added to her workload while I was away at school). We have had our challenges, our ups and downs in all this. But we raised them together! In total, we must have had over 100 cats. I was nicknamed the Mother Teresa of Cats in our colony. Other moms would ask my mom how she was allowing this. But well, she did, and I'm glad she did. These cats were a large part of my life and are some of my fondest memories ever. I learnt a lot about love, care, responsibility, life, and death. Thanks to a mom who gave up on me at first, for all this, and more!

 Deepthi Balasunder, Senior Editor

When I was in school, my mom would oil and comb my hair every evening after I got home. She would read up hair care tips in magazines and try them all on me. I was blessed with long and lustrous hair during my school days. But when I stepped into college, I chopped my hair and coloured it. You know, regular college girl stuff! The day I did that, my mom turned away from me. She swore she would never touch my hair again. And she stuck to her oath.

After all these years, now during this lockdown, I'm at home all the time. She feels annoyed to even look at my dry, unruly hair. So, the last few days, she has been oiling and braiding my hair. We somehow feel more connected now. We speak about my work, social life, her way of cooking, her plans for our new house and so much more.

There is happiness in all the little things we do. I don't think I'll ever miss a chance again to spend quality time like this with my mom every day.

 Siddiqha Naseem, Copy Editor

My mom and I have always had this telepathic connection, an unspoken understanding. We don't need many words to communicate, and that holds good for the big and small things in life. Here's one of my favourite examples. I'm a big foodie. I can eat 20 dosas at one go! And my mom happily makes the 20 dosas for me. But sometimes she gets tired. And when she's tired, she never says it aloud. But I'll notice the dosas getting thicker. And when I see a thick dosa, be it my 5th or 15th, I tell her, "Amma, enough. I'm done." We have never spoken about this to each other, but we know it. Haha!

 Balaji Radhakrishnan, Graphic Designer

I'm not sure if I have ever told my mother how much she inspires me and how much I love her. I remember how she managed work and family so well. After many challenges, she completed her Ph.D. when I was 10 years old, and I still remember attending her viva session with my father, who has been a great pillar of support for all her dreams. I have grown up admiring the dedication and hard work that my mom can put into anything she is passionate about, without compromising on anything else! And now, she is putting her retirement period to great use too!

My mom and I have not been very expressive lately, but I want my mom to know that I feel so connected with her and love the fact that we have a lot of shared interests. Happy Mothers Day, Ma! I am so proud of you. To tighter hugs, more trips, chats over food, and movies!

 Rashmi Nagendran, Sr. Associate, Community Management

My parents had a transferable job. We would pack up and go hopping from one city to another, every couple of years. During one such stay in Kolkata, my mom put me into an art class. The teacher used to come home once a week to teach. Back then, I didnt really find joy in painting or art. When we were moving out of Kolkata, my mom became very emotional about the fact that I wouldn't get to experience art the same way. I didn't understand her emotions then (but now, I realise that the teacher was the best in town). Over the years, my mother's enthusiasm and foresight in getting me engaged in different activities such as music, dance, and art have helped me develop a latent interest in art. I am an artist today. I love telling stories and find muse in the world around me because my mother found muse in me, probably at a time when I didn't know much about myself. She knew me before I did.

 Ritika Banerjee, Creative Video Executive

There are many qualities that I admire in my mother. But I have never told her about my admiration and respect for her. Let me list some of them here. Hope she gets to read this!

My mother is superlatively helpful and kind. I have not seen her turn down anyone who comes to her for help. I grew up with a lot of cousins. I have never seen her choose me or my brother over my cousins, be it in the little feuds we had as children or in the way she fed us. She would cook for all of us and make sure we all got equal shares.

I used to be very thin when I was young. So, my mom would always insist I eat a little more than what I had served myself. That's still not changed. I am no longer thin. But she still wants me to take a little extra even after I tell her I am done.

I'm a patient person and not many people have seen me angry. The only person who has been at the receiving end of my anger has been my mother. That is also probably because I share a very secure relationship with her. And I know a mother's love for her child is unconditional. But now I feel I want to make it up to my mom by being my best version to her.

 Sreeni G, Graphic Designer

Wasn't that sweet? Try to treasure every small moment with your loved ones. Maybe make a note of the little things that brighten your day as a parent? Someday, when you read your little notes, your heart will warm up and you'll feel on top of the world!