To the woman tempered with a spine of steel

As I grew up, I realised my mom is the best friend I ever had. The fact that I stay away from home, makes me feel that it is not just physical distance we have in between.

Giving an excuse that you had a test or were out with friends, won’t make moms, who live far off from their children, feel better. Some days, she just wants you to spend time with her, talk to her, help her, laugh with her, share warm moments.

 
However, everyone isn’t as lucky. I am not, considering the fact that I am in a different city. I have seen so many people talk to their moms once or twice a week here. Some like me call her up every night after dinner. There are days when I feel that the conversation with my mother are becoming transactional. Instead of communicating my thoughts to her, I end up replying to the given set of questions.

 
It disheartens me to see people shout at their moms, ask her to leave the room, get infuriated for making plain meals, whine about keeping things elsewhere. We are talking about a woman who kept us in her womb for 9 months, tolerated our kicks when ‘all wasn’t well’, cleaned us, fought with our dad for us, even lied to him. We have barely done anything in return.
My friend’s mother has just sent me a food packet for my dinner. Is it just the food that makes me homesick? I guess it is. Her plain roti with pickle was appetizing.

 

My mother tells me she will always be my mother even when I have grandchildren, how time will change but the fact will not. She thinks that my friends are more important to me. I want to tell her sometimes that she is unforgettable, irreplaceable, a silver lining of hope, a melody of good times, a comrade of bad ones. But how do I explain this? I have nothing to say. It’s funny how she strikes my mind at all odd times throughout the day: I saw a mother with her child this morning, patting his back. These little things I could relate to. Delivering grace, encouragement, and a listening ear, Always on standby for a well needed hug. The one who melts my heart, peaks my curiosity, and challenges me to grow.

To people who take her for granted, please do not talk to her in a rush, or disconnect the call saying you are busy while you actually have your partners on hold. Do not miss out on chances to be with her. Do not shout at her when one thing goes wrong. Do not save her number with the names ‘headquarters’, ‘hitler’, ‘birthgiver.’
Anyway, I have to call up ‘mumma:)’ (this is how I have saved her number) right now.

-To the woman tempered with a spine of steel.