Mother's Day

Sunday was Mother's Day. I don’t much care for commercial days – Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Friendship Day and all the other Days. I like my `Days’ private. Not to be shared with the whole world. But I do love the fuss Ponnu makes over me on this day.

On special days like Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and my birthday, Ponnu asks me to name something special that I would like. I have to think hard for a reply. Not because I don’t want anything. It is just that I cannot remember anything when this question is put to me. So I say, “Oh, I can’t think of anything right now.”

Ponnu came down with a high fever just two days before Mother’s Day. I do not ever remember the Day except when I see the advertisements in the newspaper or watch TV. This year I don't remember seeing it either on TV or the newspapers. Another reason being, Ponnu did not come up with the `tell me your favourite thing, Ma’ this time.

By noon, Ponnu was feeling much better. She realised then it was her Day to wish me. I was hugged and kissed for being the `nicest mother’. Later in the evening, Ponnu went down to meet her friends and when she came home, she did what she’d do as a five year old. Hide one hand behind her back, which for me meant there was something there for me. When she entered the house, she gave me a bouquet of red and cream roses and wished me again. I thanked her. I am at a loss for words -- what do I say to a child who cares for me in ways I have never thought about? I smiled and said, `I love you’.

I took the bouquet and asked her to get the vase. She did. Then she looked at me and said, “You did not really see my roses.” “Of course, I did. They are beautiful,” I said. “No, you did not really see them,” Ponnu insisted. So I looked at them again and said, “These are Chinese roses. I like them. They are beautiful.” Ponnu smiled. “No, Ma. There are 20 roses in there, for every year of my life that you have been my mother.” What does one say to such thoughts? What does one say, really?!