To the moms who doesn’t hug but make you eat till you are bursting at the seams. 🙂
my mother was raised without hers
lost soon after the birth of 6th sister
and I often wonder
how different she would be today
had she remained a child in her growing years
would she have laughed more
dreamed more
lived more
revelling in the sweet innocence of youth
maybe the bitterness of life
would have etched less wrinkles
if solace was near
– a shoulder to lean on
and a hand to caress her worries a w a y –
And maybe, just maybe,
she would have learned to embrace
the comfort of a warm, tight hug
My mum reminds me of a coconut – a strong, strict personality with rugged edges, that can put anyone in line with a mushy gentle core that is caring and empathetic. Although she tries not to display it. She has navigated many of life’s struggles with a brave face and ensured her daughters are just as mentally strong and capable.
As I mature and reflect upon my life’s journey, I find myself viewing my mother through a different lens. I now appreciate the depth of her sacrifices and recognize the untapped potential she possessed in her youth. I wish I had shown more empathy during my teenage years, and voiced my gratefulness frequently.
Trying to hug my mom is like attempting to hug a statue with an expression of mock exasperation that we all find endearing (and entertaining). Without fail, she’ll respond by asking if I’m hungry. And even if I insist I’m not, she’ll magically reappear with a plate of laddus, parathas, pitthas, and sometimes even pakodas, because apparently, food is the ultimate expression of love in our household! And I have inherited the same love language.
My mom is very cute at times. The pronunciation trouble that I wrote long ago – I still find it hilarious. Or her reaction to my distressed jeans which she almost mistook for phota kaani. Or the time when a broom almost landed on me when I colored my hair – hair affairs.
And my slightly younger self also wrote this 😛 how to make your mom bat-crap crazy – what was I even thinking!!
She is the best!
I can imagine the scene so well – you hugging your mom while she is dying to get away and get you laddoos!! Moms are the cutest.
This is such an adorable post, Raj.
This is a sweet poem, Raj. Hugs were not given in our house when we were kids either. Food is undeniably used as an expression of love in India. I realize, I do that too, along with hugs. 🙂