Mother and Daughter Relationship

A Mother Never Dies

Close Up of Leaf

She only leaves the mortal body

to go to the heavenly abode

She only shifts from here to there

But it is true that a mother never dies …

You have seen the pyre

You have felt the numb coldness

You have done the rituals

You have heard the puraan

But it is true that a mother never dies …

Because the next day you wake up

You go to her room as all the other days

You see the empty bed, then you look at her photo on the wall

Her smile in the photo makes you smile

As it is true that a mother never dies …

Because after a few days while cleaning a shelf

You find a letter she wrote much ago to ask “Are you fine?”

You mumbles gently, “Ya, I am doing fine”

You heave a deep sigh, clutches the letter tight and smile

As it is true that a mother never dies …

Because after a few months while rummaging an old drawer

You find the red bangles she gave you on your first Karvachauth

You sit there for a while caressing those memories in your hand

You wear those bangles once again and smile

As it is true that a mother never dies …

Because after a few years while resetting an old cupboard

You find your first silk saree that she bought for you

You admire that saree once again and wrap it around you

You get lost in the memory lane and smile

As it is true that a mother never dies …

Because after a few decades while visiting your daughter’s house

Your daughter looks at you lovingly

Hugs you tightly and whispers in your ears

“Mamma, you resemble grandmaa so much!”

Her words make you smile

As it is true a mother never dies …

Moreover …

Many times when life becomes tough

And treats you rough

You can’t take it anymore and cry

Sad and shattered, you look at the night sky

A star shines on you, and twinkles a lil more

In those moments you are sure

That it is true …

A mother never dies …

P.S. – For all who lost their mother.

******************************************************************************

I got the shock of my life last night

When my mother saw me but failed to recognize.

Once strong like a mountain, now she is ill and fragile

Parkinson’s has taken a toll on her ability to survive.

Oh! What have you done to the woman who used to thrive with life?

Her once capable hands shake continuously

Making her unable and reliant; and this perturbs her profusely.

Her once high and proud head is now drooped habitually.

Her once unwavering and kind eyes are now all vague and lost strangely.

Oh! What have you done to the woman who faced every odd so bravely?

When I called her “Mamma,” she turned her face to me in vain

And tried to grope in the dark to get a signal from her brain.

I heard the angry pitter patter on the window pane of cold winter rain

I felt the cruelty of old age and tried to hide a tear of pain

Oh! What have you done to the woman who taught me not to feign?

Oh! Dear God! Something changed in those senile but still beautiful eyes

My mother narrowed her gaze on me, it felt like getting the most coveted prize.

“Don’t cry, don’t be afraid, my dear,” she repeated her old advice

Her words broken and unclear but still so wise.

Oh! See this woman who never fails to rise and shine!

You can take away everything from a MOTHER, You shoddy,

But not the MOTHERHOOD, embedded in every particle of her body.

Tag: Mother and Daughter Relationship

A Mother Never Dies

Ode to Parkinson’s