Mother in the grey-blue saree,

Mom, Congrats on completing 35 years of service.

I know I haven’t said this even once, thank you for cooking three-course meals three times a day for 35 years while fiercely pursuing your career with unwavering determination.

I know I haven’t said this even once, you did a great job raising us as strong, independent and compassionate women while effortlessly managing our big house full of people, frequenting hospitals with granddads and grandmoms while still commuting long hours to office in that heavily populated red bus

I know I haven’t said this even once, thank you for putting us in this tuition class and that dance class, this music class and that painting class, while making time to prepare for those aptitude tests and promotion interviews, slowly and steadily climbing the ladder

I know I haven’t said this even once, thank you for wearing that grey-blue saree diligently over the years, for all my small and big performances, because you believed that this saree made sure I didn’t screw up on stage and I put up a decent show every single time..

I know I haven’t said this even once, “break a leg, mom”, while you literally broke your leg, continued to work out of a bed, still taking care of your husband and children and grandchildren and everybody else

Thank you for loving us unconditionally, protecting us fiercely, getting things done like a ninja mom, multitasking like a super mom, yet never compromising on your dreams and ambitions, while remaining loyal to your bank for 35 long years

I didn’t say thank you even once because I thought this is the way moms are supposed to function. I thought cooking three-course meals even when you were sick with high fever was normal. I thought you could never be sad or be in pain or feel weak because you never let us know.

Today while I struggle to raise my two kids, in spite of having all the privileges that you didn’t have, I will never shy away from telling them I’m not a super mom like you.

I’m the mom who becomes proud of herself when her kids eat a bread toast and a glass of milk, I don’t intend to prepare a three-course meal daily.

I will never shy away from telling my kids when I’m in pain, in agony, when I’m helpless and when I need help.

I will make sure my kids use “sorry”, “thank you” and “I love you” generously in their conversations with me.

I will wear the grey-blue saree for their big and small performances, but I will make sure they never take it for granted…

Love,
Daughter