Happy 70th Amma

Ma, when I look back on my childhood, I always remember you as somebody who was constantly doing something : be it taking tuitions, or selling embroidered stuff or cutting edge plastics or sarees. From you I learnt that I needed to be a working woman myself. I remember you changing 2 buses to go learn the Veena in Baroda, and then going for music classes in Bangalore well into your fifties. You learnt how to use a smart phone 2 years ago and how to use facebook and whatsapp last year. I looked at you and learnt that we never stop learning and growing. I always remember how quickly you made friends with people of all stripes and types - both men and women, and never stopped me from doing the same as well. From you I learnt that friendship knows no color, religion or gender. Over the years, I have seen you help people less fortunate than yourself - people who work for you would never ever leave you inspite of the frequent tongue lashing you gave them, bcoz you ensured tgey had a hot meal everyday, or their child was educated or their driving lessons paid for. I learnt from you that you dont need to donate to distant charities, that charity truly begins at home. I have seen you extend yourself time and time again to help a friend, a neighbour, a relative, without expecting anything in return. From you I have learnt true generosity of spirit. All through childhood, any food that came home was divided equally 4 ways. You always insisted on it. There was never any partiality. I dont know if you realise it, but you taught me fairness. Over the years, I have seen you and Appa, cope with life's challenges with resilience and faith- doing what you have to, day after day, never getting dejected, never losing hope. You have taught me how to cope with my own difficulties. Through all of it, ma, you have always been yourself. There are no facades, no layers. And you are the same when you talk to RadhaAmma, the maid, or a CEO's wife. People say I am bold, I am independent, that I am friendly, transparent and generous. All I say is I am but a shadow of my beautiful, strong, independent mother. Love you ma. Happy 70th.