A SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE MOTHERS OUT THERE!
A few years ago, my elder daughter sent me a meme on my WhatsApp which read something like this-
My mother does not allow me to work in the kitchen because-
X (a) She loves me very much
√ (b) She loves her kitchen more than me
She is definitely aware of my wrath when someone tries to unsettle or usurp my domain. What was amusing about the whole affair was that my daughter considered me worthy of sharing a joke– rare honor teenagers bestow upon their parents these days, a chance to have a sneak peek into their elusive world. I am a proud mother of two grown-up daughters and as they take quantum leaps into the world, I recall the days when everyone and literally anyone would come up to me and say, “Oh! You have two daughters. Don’t be disheartened. You can always take a third chance for a son.” After a certain point, I stopped getting angry at such people who had nothing better to do but nose around other peoples’ affairs and lives. In fact, in India, if you do not have a son, every person takes it upon himself (read herself to be more precise) to guide you, advise you and even hand you the various tricks and potions to bear a son. Your life becomes an open book that can be read out publicly and analyzed critically. But I decided to take all of it in my stride for as they say, “Action speaks louder than words.” My daughters have always made me proud and have never given me a single moment of regret. I, therefore, proudly quote Aamir Khan from the movie Dangal
Mhari chhoriyan chhoron se kum hai ke?
Over the years my daughters have become more than daughters to me. They assist me and become my technical guides wherever technology outsmarts me. They are my agony aunts whenever I need relationship advice or need an emotional outburst. They are my career guides too, for often they are the ones who advise me whether I should take up a certain project or not. But above all, they have now become my biggest support system in the world for there is nothing under the sky that I cannot discuss with them. They say that a daughter is her dad’s princess but equally true is the fact that a daughter is a mother’s ‘best friend’. So this Mother’s Day, I thank my daughters for giving me the opportunity of being the mother of two wonderful daughters and for letting me enjoy the ethereal experience of ‘Motherhood’. I wish and pray that they continue to soar high in the sky while remaining grounded in their intrinsic values. Also, Happy Mother’s Day to all those wonderful mothers out there who have tried hard to inculcate humane qualities in their children and because of whom our world is a much better place. Congratulations to all for raising your children well and a special shout out to those mothers who have raised two or more daughters with grit and determination. Remember,
An ounce of Mother is worth a pound of Clergy.