Ma, Thank you!

This year Mother's Day falls on my birthday. I couldn't think of any better way to start the celebration than thanking the woman responsible for my existence. Thank you Ma. I m what I m today because of you.

She is and always will be the most important woman of my life. The woman who shared with me not just her flesh and blood, but name too - our names are the variations of the Indian super Goddess - Shakti. No wonder we have our share of occasional shouting matches - too many Goddesses in the house, as my dad puts.

Women,as they grow older, often complains "Oh no! I have become my mother". For me it would rather be, "Thank God, I have become my mother!" But reaching that status quo is not easy. You see, I have a supermom. She is a doctor and a successful entrepreneur, a doting wife and a loving mother of 3, excellent singer and a fashionista of her own accord. She has the talent and patience to design her own attire, whenever she is not busy saving lives or feeding us! A beautiful woman - inside and out, Ma has always been my hero.

Whenever I come across the quote, "The strength of a woman can carry the weight of the world", I can totally visualize Ma, and the way she deals with the trials and tribulations of her life. What impresses me is how she manages to emanate strength from every molecule of her being. Its the same strength that helps me face my troubles. She has always been my beacon through the darkest of nights. The ardent cheerleader yet my toughest critic, Ma knows me better than anyone else. Maybe thats what being a mother is. But for me, she is more than that. She is my first pillar of strength.

Ma has always supported my decisions. Well maybe not the reckless ones. For example she has been bludgeoning me emotionally not to get involved with water sports in Goa. Sometimes I think Ma loves to worry a lot. Or maybe it could be an occupational hazard of being not only a mom, but also a doctor. She feels that something nasty might happen to her kids if she is not around. Well I have tried to rationalize, argued, and finally begged her to stop worrying so much. And every time I get shushed up by her with, "You will know when you are a mother". Of course, there is no counter attack to that. They say a mother's love is the strongest and the purest of love that stays forever. Maybe worrying comes as easy as loving her kids, doesn't matter if I m 5 or 45. But the best part is - she never holds me back from anything, even if she knows its might not be the right thing for me. She lets me make my own mistakes. She lets me fly. And if I fall in my flight, I know for sure that she will always be there to pick me up and help me start all over again. I love you Ma, for having faith in me.

And this is my ode to you. Thank you for the roots. Thank you for the wings.