Mom, I Love You

Recently, my dad had surgery, and I flew down to help out in the hospital. My mom was very worried for the love of her life; she looked visibly distraught. However, my presence assured her, and I ensured that both my parents were laughing and lightheaded by cracking silly jokes and making funny gestures. For those few days, I once again became a little girl.

The surgery was scheduled for the next day, so my mom told me to go to a relative's house and sleep there, joining them the following day. I was not at all interested in leaving, but since visiting hours were over and my mom was adamant about staying with my dad, I had to go.

I devised a plan. I told my mom that since the surgery was at 10:00 AM, I would come to the hospital by 7:00 AM so she could go to the relative's home, rest a bit, and eat some healthy food. She agreed reluctantly and went to the relative's house in the morning. She returned by 9:00 AM, just as my dad was taken to the operation theatre. The surgery lasted for five hours. My mom and I waited outside the operation theatre, talking a bit, crying a bit, smiling a bit, keeping quiet a bit, and praying a lot for the wonderful man in our lives inside the operating room.

When the doctors announced that the surgery had gone well, we went to see my dad, who had regained consciousness and waved at us. That moment of relief was inexplicable. At 3:30 PM, my mom and I headed to the canteen for a late lunch. The food was terrible: the rice was uncooked, the sambar was like rasam, the kovakai poriyal was too salty, and to add to my worries, there were no applams. Though the hospital food was not good, I was getting ready to enjoy every bite of it because I would be having it with my mom.

We occupied a corner seat and started eating. Suddenly, my mom opened her handbag and placed a lunchbox on the table. While I was still wondering what it was, she told me she had brought an egg omelette and some carrot poriyal for me since the food here was not good. I quickly asked whether our relative had made it for us.

What she told me made me shed a tear without her knowledge: "When I was going home, I saw eggs and fresh carrots at a shop. So, I told the auto driver to stop, purchased them, went home, cooked, and packed it for you, dear."

I mean, she was exhausted. A chronic RA patient with comorbidities had only two hours to rest, and she spent one hour cooking for her 34-year-old daughter on this crucial day! What sort of selflessness and unconditional love is this? My entire body felt heavy with love and gratitude.

You have taught me gratitude, Mom. All our relatives wondered how I could leave my children at home, and I was even ridiculed for being a careless mom for leaving a 1.5-year-old infant alone. So, at this moment, I want to express my gratitude to H and my mother-in-law for taking good care of the kids while I was away for a week. Without them, I would not have had those special moments with you and Dad.

Mom, I have never said this to you: I love you so much. I am scared to express my feelings because I fear that you will leave me soon. I worry about all the diseases that are taking a toll on your health. How I wish I could stay close to you both! I miss you terribly, Dad and Mom.

Your love for me is my guiding star,
Irrespective of whether near or far
The shared laughters with tears of weep
Is a testimony to our bond that runs so deep
Dear Mom, and Dad, be my light,
Together, I am ready to face the darkest of nights.

 

@SGBV Thank you so much for your positive words...Seeing them happy, healthy and painfree is what I want ultimately..

 

vow @sln ji..that is wonderful to know about your 'super daughter'....I am reminded of the lyrics from one of the beautiful tamil song,'karpoora bommai onru'....'thai pola yaar vandhalume un thayai pola adu aagadu' traslated as '
Anybody can come as a mother but nobody can actually become your mother'...

 

@Thyagarajan ji..I am happy that you were able to reminisce about your mom...Children with parents who are the embodiment of true love are indeed lucky...The postiivity we feel and a sense of belonging which we feel when we think about them is priceless...

 

@Viswamitra ji..Thank you so much for your kind words..For all the struggles they have faced and are facing, I wish god bless them with a good life...Ya, thats my wish to make the best out of whatever time we spend togther...Oh..thats so kind of you in recognising and empathizing with that guilty mom inside of me...I hope I can be a good mom for my children and be there for them no matter what...