My Mommy, My Friend

(No, we’re not celebrating Mother’s Day. That occurs on the second Sunday of May – that’s May 10 this year in India and a whole lot of other countries. Still sometime away. Ya, International Women's Day is round the corner - March 8)

A mommy can fix things, from boo-boos to dinner,
She’s caring and sweet, and a good tucker-inner,
She thinks you’re an angel, whatever you do,
Coz she’s loving and wise, and a special friend, too.
MY MOMMY MY FRIEND!

I gifted my mum a poster that reads the above around 4 years ago. She still has it hung up on her wardrobe door.

I sometimes wonder if she’s the mum or am I?! I mean, she does fix the dinner, but I take care of the boo-boos (whatever they may be). She’s caring and sweet, but it’s me who tucks her in daily. Angels – neither of us is one, so we’re even. And last but not the least, she’s loving and I’m wise, and we’re friends...

I miss her. She’s traveling yet again...

She was in Hyderabad Feb 13-18, then she was in Goa, and now she’s off for her sister’s son’s engagement... Three trips in less than a fortnight. In Marathi, it’s what you call tichya payala bhovraa aahe (indicating someone who’s always on the move).

She’s my only family, and I need her like I need no-one else. Though we didn’t gel too well until I was past my teens, she sure has been an awesome mum all throughout. She’s gorgeous, a great cook, a fantabulous singer, lively and kiddish, tolerant and sweet... She’s just too good, man!!

(I’m not just saying that coz she’s my mum, and all find their mums terrific. Nope, I’m actually saying this coz I mean it. Dil se... )

(Of course, she can get on your nerves when you’re in a darned sick mood, but then that’s excusable!! Also the fact that she is a cleanliness freak, and can irritate you with her constant sermons on the benefits of a healthy diet.)

Here’ some cool lines Ranu sent me the other day...

The Images of A Mom
4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE - She doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either!
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE - Mom's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, there's no harm in sharing.
35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.
45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

So I was telling you how meri and mummy ki recently jamne lagi hai... It was the same cock-and-bull story initially where I never tired of announcing that mum loves my brother more (a claim that everybody except my mum support). However, with the same candor I now declare that she loves me more than anybody else in the world. It’s just that she’s afraid to show it. My perpetually-scared mother, who is always out to please others – be it her elders, peers or servants.

I had a rough childhood, trying to protect and shield her from all those around her. But this probably was coz hers was far tougher. She was the first of 4 girls in a row, so her dad wasn’t too pleased. (As if it was she who brought about all those female infants after her.) She was sent off to live with her grandma in Madhya Pradesh (MP), which was perhaps a blessing in disguise, coz she spent her early days in a palatial home with cultured relatives.

However, she got distanced from her own family, and c’mon, someone else’s family can never quite be your own. Though she harbors lovely memories of her youth with her cousins, she could have done without the strict upbringing of her nana-naani, maami and others. Fate... Can’t fight it...

Married off to the youngest son of a rich MLA, her troubles were far from over. A husband who was still studying and lived with his brother and bhabhi, left her no choice but to place her Psychology gold medal in the cupboard, and get down to the housework. Wish I was there then... I’d have made sure she did something more worthwhile...

But hey, I’m not trying to show off my mum as a martyr. True, she could have had a better married life if her spouse was supporting and caring, but then, she could have done something herself, too, rather than making an excuse about her helpless conditions...

All I want, is for her to be happy. She enjoys traveling, cooking (good for us!), listening to the radio, worshipping the lord and watching TV (her fav serial is Balika Vadhu on Colors - it's a different kinda soap; better than the crazy saas-bahu ones; poor Suguna - she was dying to get married, and now her groom's dead...)

Have a good journey, sweetheart, and you're not going out anywhere for the next one month.
BY ORDER.

Love you, Mom!
Anuja Beti urf Anju urf Anjali urf Bitiya urf Bitti... (and 100 more)