MOTHER

My mother is a very brave person, very gutsy and is living life on her own terms. She has become blind, but that has not prevented her from compromising on anything in life. She  is demanding, likes her own space, and is sharp as ever, even at old age. Today is her 85^th birthday.

She is a person whom I admire, and I have been her fan right from my childhood.

I was artistic from my formative years and started to draw so early that I do not remember when I began to do my first scribbling.

When I was 6years I drew the picture of the Hindu Goddess of wealth,  “Lakshmi.” I drew it in color pencil. The Goddess was seated on a lotus. But I could not draw her hair properly. When I asked my mother for help, she suggested to me, and I could draw the hair well. When it was over, I showed the drawing to her. Immediately she said, “ It has come out very well. It looks beautiful.” Then she put some gum on the back of the drawing and stuck it inside the wardrobe where we kept money.  She said, “Let the drawing be here, so that it brings us wealth.”

That is the encouragement I still remember, and recall with a smile.

Once when she was sorting our old magazines, to be sold to the waste paper man, who collected old materials by the weight, and paid money for it. I was just 5 years then and I was seeing the picture in the magazines. While I was turning the pages, I came across a   5 Rs. note. I showed it her. She pinched my cheeks and said, ”Thank you, I will get you a shorts for this cash. “

Next day she got me a twinkle material shorts. It was about 6 PM in the evening. She made me stand on a chair and made me wear the shorts. It was crimson-ish orange  in color and it shone in the evening light. I loved the color and the day is still fresh in my memory.

Today when I asked her what she wanted, for her birthday, without hesitation she said, “ Gulab Jamuns, “ a traditional Indian sweet.

She is always very sure about what she wants, and clear about what she does not want. She is a person of zero confusion. She is practical, and a no non-sense person.

I have learnt to be forthright, clear in thinking and frank after her.

So,this evening I will meet her with her Birthday present , and I hope it brings a lot of sweetness in her sun set years.