Angels on Earth: A Fond Remembrance of My Mother

May 14, 2017 
(Mother's Day)


As we get closer to the Mother's Day every year, I remember my mother who is now in safe hands in heaven and enjoys the fruits of her good deeds during her stay on earth.

Like many of us, I don’t remember at what stage I met her for ever since I remember; she was by my side, guiding and guarding me, till the day she left all of us for a better world. I am happy for her today for she lived her life to the full without complaint about anything.

Also I don’t ever know how far she studied, but I have always known her as an intelligent person. She was an agriculturist by profession and prayer was her pastime. We always saw her reciting hymns from Konkani books and she made it mandatory for us to sing at least one such hymn every night during the night prayers, which were long and quite stressing. We always prayed for some unusual incident to come up so that we could skip the prayers that night. But such incidences were remote.

My mother was an astute businesswoman too, for whatever she raised in coconut grove, areca and betel leaves plantation, including a number of fruits and vegetables, she sold them at the nearby market. Thus she earned handsome income, without even bothering to wait for the draft which was coming from my father in the Gulf. My father always kept blackmailing her saying he may land up anytime from the Gulf but she was least bothered.

She was small in size, but her power was huge to keep all the children under control. We never once crossed the line drawn by her. Even after we children went around our ways in search of our fortune, she never once asked for money, for she had made enough savings in her life to pull through. She never believed in taking loans or borrowing on credit, for she followed ‘Cash business’ and operated many a times on ‘barter system.’ She used to feel nostalgic during harvest season; for that was the time she was getting handsome returns for her yield. Whether it was jackfruit, sweet potatoes, ginger or green chilies – she used to produce all of this on leased properties. We had enough land under our disposal, yet such enterprising person she was, she always found our land to be insufficient to achieve her goals hence she leased the barren lands in the neighborhood to grow rice and vegetables in abundance.

After my father passed away, she preferred to stay with a few dogs, cats and plenty of crawling insects in the house, rather than staying with her children. Whenever she came visiting us in the Gulf she never stayed for more than two weeks, for the dogs and cats came in her dream to trouble her to get back soon and she used this tactic to get back to them. She spoke in their language and understood their pain like no one else. Once one of our dogs, the Tarzan (whom I have featured in my column 'With a Pinch of Salt' umpteen number of times) had an emergency. The dog in its haste to gulp the food, accidently had his teeth slit the jaw. The dog was in great pain and crying for help. The dog did not allow anyone to go closer. My mother making sure all are in deep slumber, made her way to the dog, and somehow managed to twist the jaw and set the teeth right. No one knew till the next day, that she did not eat her food that night. Once the mission was accomplished, she and her dog shared the meal together and celebrated the successful surgery.

She always told me, my son, you were always a sick as a child and I suffered the most during your childhood, hence “Whenever my limbs fail me, come back to me.” I did the same.

When I realized she had reached pinnacle of her life and she could not go on for long, I asked her once when she was bedridden, mother, do you think it is the time I should come back to you? She said, yes my son, I may not live for long, but only if it is possible. After all how many years can you remain in that Gulf?

Both my wife and I took a call willingly, and we returned to be by her side. We were fortunate to be with her till she decided to travel to a better world after three years, during which period we ensured that all her little small needs are taken care of.

More than a mother, she was a nurse to all of us. So always a thought comes to my mind and I find an answer why a Mother’s day and Nurses day comes simultaneously. Perhaps for the simple reason that the love and service of a mother and a nurse is unparalleled and unconditional.

Hence I wish to call them the ‘Angels on Earth’, whether someone agrees with me or not.

 

 

By Hemacharya
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Comment on this article

  • Joyce D'Souza, Kinnigoly / Bandra/ Dubai

    Mon, May 22 2017

    Such a touching article and so well written. Steven, you have mentioned each and every moment of hers so minutely.

    Your mum is in heaven and praying for you and your family's well being. Mothers are precious gift from God and we should always cherish them and love them always.

  • Anil Danthy, Pernal

    Fri, May 19 2017

    Great writing and rich in emotions.I can feel you Hemacharya.....

  • Preetham, Kirem-Sharjah

    Thu, May 18 2017

    Who else could write such an emotional piece of work, other than her true son, Hemacharya.
    A few of the facts mentioned, i am witness to these. Thanks again Hemacharya, bringing back these sweet memories of your mom.
    Keep writing more, and we will certainly cherish.

  • Thomas Cutinho, Pakshikere/Dubai

    Wed, May 17 2017

    Dear Hemacharya,
    Nice article and portraying a real story of a mother and son's relationship. After reading your article I too became emotional since my mother also sacrificed alot after our father's death.. I used to read your articles earlier and now a days missing it. God bless you dear...

  • John B. Monteiro, Bondel Mangalore

    Wed, May 17 2017

    Dear Hemacharya: Your article touched my heart. Many like me had similar motherly experiences; but did not know how to express our feelings when they were alive. Neither did we have channels like daijiworld to convey our post-demise gratitude. I am sure many like me will join me in conveying our gratitude to our Angels on Earth.
    Incidentally, I had an opportunity to meet your dear mother and also to attend her funeral.

  • John B. Monteiro, Bondel Mangalore

    Tue, May 16 2017

    dear Hemacharya; Your article resurrected the memories of my mother in similar situation and many like me had no opportunity to express our sentiment as you have done. I am sure that lot of people like me join me in belated expression of our gratitude to our Angels on Earth. Incidentally, I was fortunate to meet your mother and also to attend her funeral

  • Sunita Menezes, Shirva/Bantakal/Dubai

    Tue, May 16 2017

    Happy Mothers day to you Aunty, may your soul rest in peace. very touching memories, reminded me of my mom with almost the same qualities, i have read many articles of you, but this one is the best which portrays the bond between two of you, I can imagine your love for your mom as you have decorated your house with full of your mom's memories........your mom is really lucky to get a son like you, Stay blessed.

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Mon, May 15 2017

    A house is not a 'Home' without a Mother!!

  • Carol dsouza, Mangalore/Mumbai

    Mon, May 15 2017

    So well written.. each word straight from the heart. I was chocked with emotion while reading this. How many times we hurt our mothers but they are never tired of forgiving us.. We sometimes take them and their love for granted but we realise it only after we become mothers too.. Yes truly they are Angles on Earth.. an apt title.. May God bless all mothers and may we try to impart values to our children and be role models like our mothers were to us.

  • Lugina Miranda, Mangalore

    Mon, May 15 2017

    A very empathetic and beautiful memory shared through this article! Mothers are the supporting pillars of our lives, it's importance often overlooked until it's absence is evident. As you have aptly named them "Angels on Earth", I wish them strength to flutter their wings in every part of the world with boundless love and happiness!

  • Jimmy Noronha, Lucknow

    Sun, May 14 2017

    Your mom is a woman of substance much like the most other mothers. However, what I perceive something that keeps your mom apart from most other moms is that her style of self determination. She was apparently alone, husband in the Gulf and the children were in the Gulf yet she worked on her own in her land and eked out a living without waiting for the draft from the Gulf and that should keep her apart from a woman of either of that day or the day now. What's all the more intriguing is that your mom has such altruistic tendency towards the pets and cats and the fact that she eats her dinner only after she saw to it that her dog was off its predicament. I salute your mom. Curiously, similar tendency runs in my family where my children and I are very closely attached to the stray dogs that are much in need of human care.

  • oswald, Bendur Parish

    Sun, May 14 2017

    Hemacharya,
    Very much impressed with your Article on your Mother.Well no one take a mothers place in this world. Tears came from my eyes when i read the Article. I salute all the Mothers weather they are living or gone to eternal rest. dear Children Mother is the most Precious gift that anyone can get .Respect them N Honor them. Oswald

  • Dr Urban D'Souza,, Udyavar/Malaysia

    Sun, May 14 2017

    Dear Hemacharya
    A nice article though it is your own experience with your mother. Wishing all the mothers a happy mother day.
    The best part is that more than having a very good mother, indeed you have a great loving wife who really embraced your path from leaving lucrative Gulf for the sake of taking care of your mother in her last three years of life. It is a great Happy mother in laws day for your wife as she accepted your mother as hers. But how many ladies are like your mother? Otherwise many of our mothers need not die in those blessed old-age homes.
    Happy mothers day to all mothers

  • paul dsouza, balakunje

    Sun, May 14 2017

    MOTHER gone away from your eye sight..... but not from your heart. As I know you were the best son & she were the best angel on earth for you...! You were the strong...loving....caring...worrieng son for her in millions...!!!
    You have not run away from your responsibilities... love...care & worry for your mother & you just worked harder maximum whatever way possible .....if yould keep her with you permanently...!
    Person like you I have never seen any duplication & artificial acts on treating your loving & blessed mother with your simple tears.
    WITHOUT KNOWING MY FEW TEARS FELL OUT FOR ANGELS ON EART & ITS MY TRIBUTE TO YOUR HEAVENLY MOTHER & MY MOTHER TOO....!!!


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