A Gift for Dear Mother

Shilpa loved her mother dearly. In fact, she was aware how precious the relationship between an adult daughter and her mom was.It is also that no one can make an adult daughter feel less adult than her mother.
And most times, a mother's well-intended suggestions on housekeeping, child-rearing,cooking--some of which the mother must have learnt herself from her mistakes -could be taken by the daughter's sensitive ears as criticism.
Last month, Shilpa's mother visited her. In her usual way, Shilpa was running the morning routine in her house of fixing breakfast, getting the kids to stop arguing about who gets to shower first, packing lunches and getting them to school on time. What may have looked typical and under control may have seemed like a total chaos to her mother. Her mother offered a few suggestions out of her concern for Shilpa, which were taken as hurtful , especially when they came accompanied by that look.
Shilpa went to work and was analyzing the situation. Her best friend Neeta came over at lunch and asked her what was the reason that she seemed moody and tense. Shilpa talked to her about the situation at home. Neeta thought about for a little while and said "Shilpa dear, Mother's day is coming up. Why don't you give her a nice treat. If you like, I will go with you to buy a gift for her. You should be thankful that you have a mother who still cares about you and your children. My mother re-married and I have not seen or heard from her for ages. I would rather have a nagging, pestering, over-stepping mom than a mom who is only there in faint memories because she gave birth to me. Your mother has the best intentions, may be she is not saying them at the right time or in a right way.Take my advice and spend some time with her on mother's day. If you need anything, please call me"
Shilpa thought about Neeta' advice and decided to find out indirectly from her mother what she like to have on Mother's day.She called her daughter Smrithi and they thought of a secret plan. Smrithi will take grandma for a walk and tell her that she has to write an essay about Mother's day for a school project. In that essay she was to write things that mothers would love to receive as gifts on Mother's day. " Grandma, what are the things you would you like to receive from amma amd mama on mother's day? I will mention those things in my essay as the things most mothers would like to receive. One of my friend said her mother like to receive a spa treatment. Please tell me more, grandma"
Shilpa's mother thought for a second." Smriti dear, let me tell you this.Some mothers might like to get flowers, perfume, chocolates, dinner, manicure or clothes. As for me, nothing will please me more than to cook a special lunch and dinner for you and amma on that day. I like to be given the gift of opportunity to give to my precious family what I have been doing for years. Oh, I would like another gift too-- a bear hug!
Shilpa spent a beautiful Mother's day honoring what her mother wanted. Smrithi gave her and grandma beautiful cards that she had made at school. Shilpa realized that all mom wanted some kind, loving words!

Dear Usha,
A very nice tribute for mothers on Mother's Day!!. Its true that mothers don't expect any materlistic things from us rather our love and affection. I too have ignored my mom's advises many a times in my life and then later repend for my actions. But I always see my mom was there standing by me whatever I went through.

Nice WriteUp..

Regards
Priya

hi Priya,

wht u said is true, this always happens. even i used to ignore my mother's advices before, but now, after becoming a mother i could understand her love and affection.

dear Usha maam,
a nice story....rings true....
mothers are eternal givers....they keep giving without expecting....and a simple thing like a warm hug makes them feel on top of the world...

Usha,
a very nice gift, indeed. Mothers don't need anything big....simple hug, I give her a lot, follow her advises, allow her to cook, otherwise she will complain, I am sitting idle in your house and doing nothing and become a ball when I go over to India....

sriniketan

Dear Usha,

Very true..mothers do not expect anything in return but the welfare of their daughters.
And yes, sometimes, we do become sensitive when they say something out of love & concern. But when we think about it later, we realise that it is for our own betterment. Since they are more experienced , they will surely know what is best for us !

Thanks for sharing this wonderful story .

In this note, I would also like to mention that my mom has been a pillar of strength for me always !

Cheers
Krithika

Hi Priya, Jacintha, Sowpar, Bhargavi and Krithika,

Thanks for all of your lovely FB's. My mom is one of those types--who never expects anything in return, but constantly giving. I know I can never buy anything of value to her, so last summer when I visited her, I took her on a trip to different temples in south Karnataka. She enjoyed it very much and still remembers it.
yes Krithika, my mom too has been a great rock for me and I will look up to her for guidance.

Dear Usha
Very nice Gift for mother..Just noted that you took to you rmother to visit the temples.. Thats what they like most.. Also we get to spend quality time with them and get to see the temples too.. Your thread and words are a great tribute to your mother.. You have a flair for words so keep writing:) waiting to read more:)

Thanks Chitra for your encouraging words.

Dear Usha,

nice write up.....yes mothers do not expect anything so it is actually difficult to find out what they would like as gifts...last year i too took my parents to all the temples in tanjore,kumbakonam which they have been wanting to see for quite sometime....

mIndi