A Love Letter to My Mother

One she should never see

Dear Mumma,

I don't know where to begin. Probably from the start- when I was born? Thank you. For it all. I am forever indebted. I want to express that the thank yous are multiplied by infinity and that this letter will be littered with them. No matter how many times I say it, it will never be enough. I hope the repetition doesn't saturate the intensity of my emotions.

I'll start the string now. Thank you for sacrificing your career and hobbies to stay with me. I know now I'm all grown up and it seems that I need you less and less. I don't. I'm just going through a rebellious phase. (I have a feeling this isn't a phase) But, I will never not need you.

Thank you for supporting my dreams and letting me love books- the way you do. Saying that ‘Money spent on books is never too much’ is a great life lesson in itself. One I would impart to my children (If I ever have any).

Thank you for learning how to make white pasta because my friend's mom made it and I raved about it so much. Even though I cook better than you (he he) no one will ever make that white pasta as good as you. No one.

Thank you for feeding me Dal Bhaat before we went out because you wanted to make sure I was healthy and didn't stuff myself on junk food. Thank you for fulfilling all my needs and wants, no matter how much you had to struggle for it. I will always treasure the Crawford Market finger puppets, the pop-up stickers and the abundant love. Thank you for taking me to the umpteen animated movies, to the posh little restaurants, for buying me cute little dresses and for letting me travel the world with you. Thank you for giving me everything you didn't have (and more). Thank you for being the kindest, sweetest person in the universe. Thank you for the memories, the love and the best childhood ever.

The Crawford market finger puppets. There were more, but I lost them :(

Thank you for teaching me to stand up for myself when that kid stole my Sophie bear plushie and refused to give it back. Pushing me when I needed it, while I hated it at that time, the introverted me wouldn't have gotten out even this much. Thank you for staying awake all night through all my fever episodes; changing the wet towel on my forehead, checking my temperature and worrying relentlessly. Thank you for buying me the Bhel from under your office because I loved it so much. Thank you for doing the best you can.

Thank you for putting up with my tantrums and scolding me every time I did something wrong, lied or acted unnecessarily idiotic. Reminiscing, I deserved it. A 100%. I'm sorry for all I hate yous I may have said (even the ones in my head) or all the hurt I caused, and probably will. I may not be the best daughter, but you will always be the best mother. Thank you for loving me like you did- like you do. You deserve to have the best child and I'll try harder. I love you and always will.

Yours truly,

your daughter.

I wish everyone would appreciate their mother just a little bit more, for everything they do.