Amma, Anbulla Amma!

February 4 - Today is my 40th wedding anniversary. I sought the blessings of my parents. I thought about my dear Amma. She was instrumental in arranging my marriage. When I became an eligible bachelor, my mother wanted me to marry a girl from a large family with many siblings. Her logic was that girls from large families tend to be hard-working, have better inter-personal skills and know the value of money. She was absolutely right.

My mother was right in many ways. Born and raised in an agricultural family, she had only primary education in a village. She was married very young when my father was still in the college. Her family life started some years later after my father got his first job in Madras.

What my mother lacked in formal education, she made up by her extraordinary personal qualities. She had terrific mental courage, a quick presence of mind, and above all, a great attitude towards fellow humans. Looking back, I think she had some of the most admirable qualities for a human being. I never realized these in my younger days.

She made friends very quickly. Mere acquaintances in travel or public gatherings became long-time friends. Even those who despised her eventually became her life-long friends. She had the knack of uniting people and managing them to accomplish a common goal. Her secret - she took real interest in people and helped them overcome their problems.

Unmindful of her own frail health, she cared for others, specially in times of their distress. She never cared about her own comforts. She kept awake many nights to be at the bedside of her sick kids, hospitalized friends, and suffering relatives.

Thanks to my mother's match-making efforts, many young people got married. As an efficient go-between, she helped mend strained relationships with her communication skills and convincing logic. She helped to reunite broken couples. I remember distinctly how she revived the cancelled engagement of one of my cousins.

She was fond of me and very proud of her family. Whenever I felt low, she was a source of great encouragement to me. Her most important strength was the unshakeable faith in the Almighty. She used to regularly sing bhajans, recite Vishnu Sahasranamam, and write thousands of times "Sri Rama Jayam" in a note book. She never missed celebrating festivals.

My dear Amma - do you know how much I miss you? Though it is many years since you left this world, you continue to inspire me with your love and deeds. Koti namaskarams to you.