Amma - My Pillar Of Strength

You might have read my hub on my dad, if not, you can read it here. Though my father would have done all he had done, the main reason for his life to be so smooth was my mother.

My mother was so supportive of my father's decisions, by supporting I would like to highlight her level of acceptance.Be it quitting his job to start his own business when he had a 5-year old daughter and 2-year old son or his decision to set up office at home (yeah that needs a lot of acceptance and tolerance!).

She took care of her mother and father-in-law for almost 25 years, which is something extraordinary considering the nature of my grandmother! I have never seen her inactive in the entire time I spent with her.

She was so energetic and active that she managed my marriage arrangements with very minimal physical help from my father. The planning that goes into arranging a marriage is phenomenal and she managed it so well. She always plans so well, be it the monthly house-hold stuff or a trip that we plan. She was an amazing cook and had a hidden artist inside her. Man, I loved her artistic Rangolis for the Navratri!

She was so dynamic with respect to managing the household. My father is basically very lazy and never bothered with outside work. He hardly goes out of the house, thanks to his office setup at home. There have been occasions when he has not stepped outside the main gate of the house for more than a week or so! She had a two-wheeler and off she goes on it for any work. I have never seen her feel bored or lazy to do her work.

She was a pillar of strength in my family. Anybody in the family can rely on her. She held the entire family together and she was loved by my father side relatives, sometimes even more than the love they had for my father! She accommodated the requirements and demands of our relatives even to the extent of conducting engagements at our house owing to the big hall space we had. Imagine all the work!

Another amazing thing about my mom was she gradually lost all her interests on materialistic pleasures - be it wearing silk saree or golden ornaments. Though she had these interests when she was young, she eventually lost them all slowly. My father hardly gifts us all anything, including his wife. I have never seen my mom crib anything about my father anytime.

Any misunderstanding between my mom and dad were never showcased to me or my brother when we were young. She made it a point that it should not affect us in anyway. I hardly believed them when they said they did fight! The love and affection that my mother and father had were quite evident, to the extent, that I always felt they were an ideal couple.

During my teens, she was my best friend. I could discuss anything and everything with her, including my infatuations! I used to tell her every single thing that happened at school/college.I think this is a main reason for me to be what I am today.She is the reason for me to be independent and bold. She always told me that a woman should be able to be independent to do her work and not depend on anyone else.

While my father rarely appreciated, my mother was my source of positive energy. She used to inspire and motivate me in my academic and extra-curricular endeavours.To this day, she remains to be my best friend, next only to my husband. Even today, she motivates and encourages me to pursue my passion.

The most important and the best fact about my mother is her decision to leave everything materialistic behind her to lead the rest of her life in an ashram! It is easier for a man to take such a decision than a woman, especially for a mother. The spiritual quest that she had made her take this tough decision. Credits to the fact that my father had such a smooth transition from worldly life to ashram life completely goes to my mother. She was able to completely wrap up everything for their shifting.

When I think of myself, I can never be even half my mom, be it with respect to her energy levels or acceptance. She has been my pillar of strength and I am proud of her! Love you Amma! You are the best!