moms dont come like that any more...

three years back when I was in Kerala, I was at a discourse of Swami Nirmalananda Giri Maharaj. He spoke about women of the yester years. The talk was mind blowing! How the women of yester years were SHAKTI fully manifested. They knew how powerful they were and yet, were silent but powerful householders. They played every role 100% - epitome of patience, a mastery in skill of speeach and action. They were the silent powerhouses that kept the family together - nurtured the child, took care of house-hold chores, kept up t he tradition, took care of her man, balmed and boosted his ego, always made him feel that he is the decision maker and yet, got all her things done. How powerful and skillful was the woman of yester-years! She was an epitome of humility and yet, the most powerful knowing her extent of power very well but never wanting to flaunt it to the world. She had nothing to prove to anyone! Those were the great grandmothers of yester-years!

And as Swamiji spoke, and gave examples of various scenarios in life - both me and my sister - looked at each other and smiled! Swamiji was describing my mom. Yes! They dont make the likes of her anymore.. Both me & Reshma are so fortunate to have born to her.

She was always my confidant - never ever made me feel guilty, never made me feel I am not worth it, never had expectations of me - she loved me totally for who I was and didnt want anything from me. That is my mother! My earliest memories of my mom are when I was in 4th or 5th grade. I would go get dressed up in a saree like dress. She will be busy in the kitchen - sitting on the floor making chapatti dough with the pump stove lit next to her. Almost dinner time! That is when I would chose to play! I will pretend to be like an aunty visiting and greet her like "Namaste! Aap kaise hai?". And mom amidst all the chaoes chose to play the game. She will speak to me like "aapka khana ho gaya! Baayi aayi thi kya?". Sometimes I would become the baayi and ask her for work. Going down the memory lane, I dont recall one instance when she said, "not now. i am too busy". She played along with the same enthusiam and vigor. Thats my mom!

My dad was fun yet he was a task master when it came to academics. He wanted me to be either 1st or 2nd in class. I remember when I wouldnot score and feel real bad - my momwould only ask me one thing, "did you give it all you got?". And if I said "yes.", she would say ," then thats it. you gave it your best shot. doesnt matter what u got!". My mom perfectly balanced my dad's pressure.

One thing of my mom stands out through out my life. We were a lower middle class family - very minimum wages and yet, not once in my life have I felt lack for anything. Sometimes I think I had only one uniform, two good clothes and few for home but she would have my uniform pressed and ironed everyday. Not one day have I missed my school bus, my breakfast, my lunch box, my two plaits, my neatly ironed uniform, my notebooks ... not once! I remember leaving for school with my room in a mess. Both me and Reshma slept in the same bed. Yet when I would get back and go to my room, everything would be neetly arranged - like an elf came and did magic. I still remember entering my room and being amazed! That is my mom...

More mom magic will continue..
(leaving for livermore temple now for satsang)