~~  On Mom's Birthday  ~~

All moms are amazing women. They have the same attributes and yet, each one of us finds his or her mom unique and so very speical that we consider our mom as 'the best mom' in the whole world. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that moms are God's most precious gift to humanity. They are the most special ones in our lives -- our moms. 

I am thinking about my mom and her love and care, recalling her efforts and sacrifices, her guidance and support especially today 'coz its her birthday on 3rd May. I have no words to express my love and gratitude for mom. What can I give her, I wonder. A birthday gift would only be a token of my love for her. She is the giver. It is her presence that's the real gift I have. Her presence completes me. Her presence is a blessing.

Last year I wasted a whole night trying to wish mom a 'happy birthday'. Mom's health was not good enough for us to celebrate.  But we did celebrate -- just the way she likes it. We tried to make the day memorable for her, for all of us. Besides family and friends, my net pals also wished mom on her special day. I remember the birthday wishes and messages being sent by Sulekha bloggers through their comments and notes. Mom really appreciated it. I was glad that I shared the news here. 

Though we celebrated and enjoyed the day well, I was upset and sad, wondering how many years would she be around to give us the opportunity to celebrate her birthday. Yes, on her birthday, I was thinking about ... I'm scared to associate the d-word with mom -- with all moms, and dads too.  


This year things are different. Mom's health has been stable and we have no reasons to worry, at least now. Dad has not yet bought a gift for her. (At least I'm not aware of it.)Generally he consults me or tells me what he intends to buy for her. May be, he plans to say it with flowers only. Mom loves flowers, especially gerberas. That's between them. I have been concerned about myself. What would I gift mom, on her birthday, I had been thinking all these weeks. 


I have not been able to move within the house, so there was no question of my going out and getting a gift for mom. Since last three weeks, I had been trying to put together all the courage and will to get up and get going, for a few hours --  to go to Connaught Place to pick a special something for mom. Most of the time I'm bed-ridden and I barely manage a few steps. During the last two weeks, I couldn't even go to my room. The only times I have moved out of the house in the last two months, is to visit the doctors or the hospitals for scans and tests. Before you flood me with queries, I should infrom you that there is nothing 'serious' (as doctors say). But I'm suffering, and pretty bad. *sigh*

Mentally, I scanned all my cupboards and cabinets to recall anything that could be given as a gift to mom. I tried to recall the last purchased sarees, shawals, jewellery and accessories to know if there was something not yet shown to her. There was a vicotican  neck-piece (with earrings) -- with red stones. We had bought it together; Mom had picked it up 'coz the danglers were just my type -- long and neat. She wouldn't accept that. Also, she had paid for it. I like to buy my gifts from my money. 

There were two pearl sets bought around December end. Though mom had not worn those till now, I had told her that one of the sets was her new year gift. She found the other 'too girlish' for her. LOL. Thus, the pearl sets were out.

There is something good about me. I keep buying things for friends and family. Just like that.... no specific reason. It feels great to give a gift without an occasion. At any given point of time, I can find a 'suitable gift' in my collection -- for anyone -- from naani, daadi, to cousins and their kids, from friends to acquaintances and neighbours -- just anyone. Finally, I found out something for mom. 


It is a pastel turquoise blue saree I had bought last summer. A friend wanted to explore Chandni Chowk for sarees and dress material and I had taken her to a shop that had a huge collection of the required material. My friend had picked up a nice yellow-green saree material. She wanted to pick up a lace and embellishments like stones and sequins. It had been ages since I had made something for mom, so I had also picked up a saree material. I had bought a hand-made lace with sequins work. The flowers were in a tone of turquoise and  deep orange. I had found blue-pink a 'regular' combination.


Whenever I buy a saree for mom, I give the blouse piece for stitching almost immediately; Sometimes she wouldn't even know how the blouse looked. I would give it to 'master ji' soon after buying the saree. That wouldn't leave any scope for her to 'keep it' and wear it 'later'.... impatient that I am. Imagine, if I had had been a man, I would have made my woman do the catwalk for me atleast once a week....lol    Well, some men look as awesome as woman on the ramp.  What say?? 


In the last two weeks, I tucked the lace on the saree, and did the finishing. I have embellished it with tiny flowers on the 'pallu' to give it a richer look. The blouse was ready. And so is my gift. I had also found out a bag (potli style ethnic purse) in a tint of turquoise. When my brother had bought it from Dilli Haat, I had told him I had no dress in that colour to carry the bag. But it was a cool bag and I had loved it. I'm glad I didn't use it. I have added the sequins (from the lace) to the bag to match well with mom's saree. For jewellery, I am sure mom would pick up something nice to complete the look.

Since dad has not brought any saree (or he has not shown me d gift) I'm sure mom would wear this pastel turquoise saree prepared by me. 

So, I'm ready to wish mom on her birthday, and give her something I made myself. I hope I would be able to go downstairs tomorrow, to join all of them; Else, they would have to come upstairs, to this room, which wouldn't be so good. 

I'm sad because, as always, I couldn't go to her favourite cake shop to place an order for a birthday cake. Also, I wouldn't be able to pick up flowers of her choice, to make a bunch that she would have loved. Of course, I would place order for the cake and the flowers over the phone. Bro would also bring some things... most certainly, flowers. 

The one who is really looking forward to the celebration is my niece. I helped her make a greeting card for mom. She is too small to paint and all.  I helped her place stickers on a sheet of paper. I made her paint 'dots' too to make her feel that she painted it. She had already shown 'her greeting card' to mom. 

I wish I could click pictures of the saree and the greeting card to share here. 

I had planned a birthday bouquet for mom - with her most favourite songs -- but I'm not able to do that. It would take time and I can't streatch myself any more. I want to feel fine to enjoy the celebrations tomorrow.


Read the write-up 'When God Made Mothers'. Had I not written this piece, I would have pasted the write-up. I liked it a lot. 




Here's wishing Mom many many happy returns of the day.