Skip to main content

Motherhood

One of the most delightful moments in a parent's life is when her child achieves something and is recognized for it. I felt a surge of emotion when I saw my little angel perform as the lead dancer at her annual dance function last Sunday. Its not that I was seeing her on stage for the first time (she has been performing since she was four), but the feelings are the same every time. Pride, maternal love, happiness, a sense of personal achievement, all overflowed.

I felt all the more fulfilled because she is literally the centre of my universe, the core of my existence. I have chosen to look after her as my full-time occupation, so that when she arrives from school, all agog with the excitement of the day's events, she finds me waiting to listen to her. Of course, some minor compromises were in order for this privilege. Like not opting for a full-time job, or not taking any traveling assignments. I have seen her wait expectantly for me on the occasions I have been unable to be there when she came home. Disappointment is writ large on her face when she meets a locked door.

But it has been worth being a stay-at-home mother. Barring the pangs on seeing successful women whiz about going to their offices, and managing both home and jobs. I have never been able to entrust my child to somebody else's care. She is too precious, and besides, I want to watch her growing up. I will not miss those moments for anything.

She fully acknowledges my contribution and involvement in her life, and insists on reminding me too. She takes immense pride in my achievements and forces me to talk about them. And openly admits that I am her role-model. Isn't that enough salary for a mother?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Enough! No more rape!

The recent horrifying, stomach-churning incident in Kolkata is not a one-time aberration. It keeps occuring in our country. And we women are also responsible for this stinking rot in society. Ask yourself these uncomfortable questions. How many of you protest when a girl wearing "revealing clothes" is cat-called?  Did you show your support for our wrestlers protesting against a habitual offender? Did your blood boil when you saw pictures of our sisters in Manipur paraded naked?  When rapists are released from prison or routinely escape punishment, do you raise your voice? How many of you have tolerated violence or even casual sexism in your own home? Do you turn the other way when transgenders are leered at? Do you grin and bear it when the men in your family crack obscene jokes? Do Kathua and Hathras ring a bell? And lastly, how many of you thronged cinema halls to make misogynistic horrors like Animal and Kabir Singh blockbusters? I have asked myself and am distinctly feeli...

All We Imagine as Light- Lyricism on Celluloid

When an Indian film makes it the prestigious Cannes film festival, the world sits up and takes notice! And the lovely ladies swinging on the stage is a recent memory that brings a sense of pride. I had the good fortune to catch this film on screen recently. A review of such work is unnecessary, but still am bursting to say a few words. Right from the scintillating background score, to the events that unfold like pages fluttering in an open book, to the effortless performances, it's a masterpiece all right! The first half romances Mumbai- in the rains, at night, in the bazaars, in dingy rooms, in the local trains. Image source: Wikipedia  The second half shows what light truly is, brilliant sunshine, crashing waves and salty air in a small coastal village in Maharashtra. You can feel the taste of salt, the breeze in your hair and the touch of sand under your feet, the cinematography is so real. Payal Kapadia masters the art of holding back, of showing beauty in the mundane. The hosp...

Laapataa Ladies - the Unfortunate Story of Lost Women

Laapataa Ladies is a deceptively simple, yet extremely thought-provoking satire couched in a simple story of exchanged brides. Image Source: IMdB This is the unfortunate story of countless ordinary women living under the veil, in the shadow of uncaring men. Who can't remember any details of their husband or the sasural they are married into. Who are trained only to obey their husband, do their duty in the kitchen, and follow orders of in-laws. Who don't have the liberty to study or do something for their own betterment. What can we expect for such women, except a lifetime of slavery? If the husband happens to be good, then there's some ray of hope. If he's a rascal, then God save her. Thanks to Kiran Rao for addressing the woes of 80% of Indian women living in nameless villages. And thanks for calling out the "greatest fraud" - the fraud of getting ready for marriage and domesticity. Where you can make the perfect kalakand, but you can't find your way...