Friday, November 17, 2006

Of Mothers

For those who are lucky to still be blessed with your mothers, this is beautiful. For those who are not, this is even more beautiful.

The young mother set her foot on the path of life. "Is this the long way?" she asked.

And the guide said "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."

But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. She played with her children, fed them and bathed them, and taught them how to tie their shoes and ride a bike and reminded them to feed the dog and do their homework and brush their teeth. The sun shone on them and the young mother cried, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."

Then the nights came and the storms and the path was sometimes dark and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her arms, and the children said, "Mother, we are not afraid for you are near and no harm can come."

And the morning came and there was a hill ahead and the children climbed and grew weary and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children, "A little patience and we are there."

So the children climbed and as they climbed they learned to weather the storms. And with this she gave them strength to face the world. Year after year she showed them compassion, understanding, hope, but most of all unconditional love. And when they reached the top they said, "Mother, we would not have done it without you."

The days went on and the weeks and the months and the years and the mother grew old and she became little and bent. But her children were tall and strong and walked with courage. And the mother, when she lay down at night, looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last for my children have learned so much and are now passing these traits on to their children."

And when the way became rough for her, they lifted her and gave her their strength just as she had given them hers. One day they came to a hill and beyond the hill they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And the mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk with dignity and pride with their heads held high and so can their children after them."

And the children said, "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates." And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: "We cannot see her but she is with us still. A mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence."

Your mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wore, she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well, she's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day. She’s the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colours of a rainbow, she is Christmas morning. Your mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop. A mother shows every emotion... happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow....and all the while, hoping and praying you will only know the good feelings in life. She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not even death.


It's the twelfth anniversary of my mother's passing through the golden gates. I know she's with us still but Mum, we miss you.

~~~

7 comments:

  1. Just curious? You've lost both you're parents? BTW... are you Mapuii or is that one of your sisters?

    Beautiful post. I just moved out of my house. I'm one floor up now. But I need to stay close to home coz Mom is a heart patient. She is THE woman in my life right now. I consider myself fortunate to have her around. My life would be so different if I lost her.

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  2. No I'm Mapuii's older sis...how do you know her? She hasn't the foggiest who you might be so maybe you could drop a few clues?
    Sorry to hear about your Mum's heart...take good care of her. Mums are so precious.

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  3. Thanks for your concern. Does that mean you're Zualtei? You're a cousin of u Brenda's rite? Brenda is married to Dr Chamtea, who is my cousin. I hear you're a hottie. Wish you luck with your current beau.

    I'm nuts over you, but our planets aren't that convivially juxtaposed. I'm Taurean by the way. I doubt you'd reciprocate though unless you're into Quasimodo types. :D

    It is such a small world. My mom can't get around much so she's become quite the misual.com fanatic, and kind of guessed who you are.

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  4. Quite a touching post.

    Life does play a tramp sometimes but realizing that the one who can love unconditionally (each mom) is immortal makes you want to forgive nature for the happy-to-sad cycles it enforces upon those who are left behind.

    Guess some emotions (and truths) are eternal..
    and each one of us blessed to be born will have to witness those.

    Moms never go away
    They just hide for a while
    To teach a sulking kid
    The real meaning of life.

    They used to do so
    When we were toddlers in nappies
    They('ll) disappear again
    Now - for a longer time.

    But rest assured,
    They keep a watch
    So no harm comes to
    Those they beget.

    Lonesomeness and love
    Out of distance or separation
    Magnified in baby hearts- seeps through
    As tears sometimes.

    Don't hold back the tears
    Don't bereave
    Rejoice in the Truth
    That your Mom's achieved.

    may God rest her blessed soul in peace...

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  5. Tinks, that's just so lovely. You sum it all up so beautifully. Thank you :)

    g-wiz, yep,guilty as charged. I called Brenda and asked her who you might be so now I know...or at least I know your parents. Your mum's a misual.commer? That's great, was she the one who posted that beautiful piece abt her father? It's nice having ppl of different ages in the community so tell her to jump right in & post whatever whenever :)
    Thanks for all the kind comments, and I don't believe for a minute you're a Quasimodo type :P

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  6. nameste calliopia,
    this post is going to be on my bed side for ever now,my mom is young and healthy,but the 'truth'scares...i can't imagine my life without her...
    thank you for such post
    cheers
    jhaji.

    PS-came through blogger friends,happy blogging.

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  7. i want my mom to live as long as i live....

    is dat too selfish??

    am sorry bout ur mom...

    touching write up...u made me cry...

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