Happy Mother's Day

I do not remember what I saw when I opened my eyes for the first time. Going by the writing of others, it must have been happy and sparkling eyes of my parents. Since I was the first child I surely did not have confusing face of a sibling around me! And I gather I had my maternal grandparents around. But all this is just the information I have got from others. I honestly do not remember what it was like to be born.

But that is not important. What is important is that my grandmother was there on my mother’s side when I was born. And she was there again when my brother was born.  It is not her fault that my youngest brother decided to arrive a little too early and that spoiled her plans. But she came rushing as soon as she got the news. That probably justifies the love she has for all of us. She saw us when we were useless naked ugly creatures. We cried and pooped whenever we felt like, having no respect for the hour or the living beings around us. She loved us then, how can she stop now?

But all those years, when I was busy growing up and she was busy growing old, we loved each other the same way we did when I was a toddler and she was my favorite story teller. She always taught me good things. God only knows how much of it do I remember now. I don’t remember a time when her hair was not so grey! As I said I do not remember much from my earlier years, but since when I do, I remember those wrinkled hands stroking my hair, those tired eyes sparkling with joy when a kid in house is around, that sad mouth and streaming tears when we had to depart after a vacation. It never changed. She was not a whiny old aged woman. She always was the cool granny who wanted us to be good human beings.

After I got married, she once came to my in laws place to meet me. And few days after that, I went back for a ritual at my parent’s place along with Varun. Same day she was going back after the ceremony. She hugged me and blessed me as always. But this time she did not cry. I found it strange at first, but then I saw in her eyes that she was happy and content. She liked Varun. She was sure he would take care of me. She blessed me to be good and happy.  No usual crying session this time. It touched something deep down me. I know she loves my father as a son. She had accepted Varun as same. Even if I was crazily in love with Varun, her acceptance was very reassuring. And I was a little jealous too. I have had that place for more than two decades in her heart. Varun cannot just walk in today and share that! But I am sure I would never know the depth of her heart. I have seen the attentions of my uncles and aunts shifting away when their kids were born, and rightly so. But I never saw granny giving more attention to anyone else. And I am sure every child in the family felt the same. She was there for everyone all the time. In her presence all cousins felt connected and not remotely jealous of sharing our beloved granny. I guess no one ever felt that she was being shared. She has this quality of making everyone feel special and no one was ever left out.

She has always been a source of love for me, in fact, for all those who know her.  After my marriage, when I have more responsibilities than I ever had, she has become an inspiration too. If ever I could be that comforting, supporting and loving to my family, I would be proud of myself. And even if that does not happen, I know she would still love me, as ever.