Sipra's Diary: First Gift On "Mother's Day"

 

 

                                                                    

              FIRST GIFT ON THE  "MOTHERS’ DAY"

As I grew up in India I did not know or hear about   anything  such as  'Mothers’ Day'. Perhaps all days  in India are considered as Mothers’ day ; Or importance of mothers is taken for granted  without any celebration.   Home.  is not a sweet home without the presence of mother .

      Anyway I came to visit my son in US first on May, 2001.  He lived in Austin . When the  wife of my son ‘s friend asked him what was his plan to celebrate Mothers’ Day then I thought  it to be celebration of my first visit to him. My son only  grinned bluntly and reply "so far nothing  decided .Nina with  shrinked  eyes ,"O, no; you should  plan something ." Perhaps that triggered him.

Next day we had a plan to visit San Antonio, the old capitol of Texas.  On the way there was a great Factory Outlet. I had no interest to halt there because I had no idea that it was worth of seeing.  All the  branded rare articles of the world were available  there and in cheaper price.  It was somewhat like exhibition. My  son bought  a beautiful lemon color coat for me and  a shaving set  for his father  who was very happy to get it. 

I said,” Why, a coat in summer! it is hot as hell !”

My husband said with little  irritation ,” Do you think winter will never come in your life ?  He is giving this gift for a special occasion .”

“ Yes mom, it is for the Mother’s Day; you won’t get this brand anywhere at this price! You are free to buy some other items of your choice; but I will not change this one.” said my son.

“Ok, Ok, it is really nice, as I realized  vaguely the occasion ”

That was the first gift of Mothers’ Day in my life. It is still with me .

 

 I asked  often myself why a single day in calendar was not marked  in India to be celebrated for mothers?

  

 While my mother celebrated the birthday for  everyone of us including father without a break! OF course there was no B-day 'party' ;but my mother used to had special  "puja" wishing God's blessing and cooked "Rice Porridge"(which is equivalent to CAKE  in the West)    and gourmet preparations.  Why it didn't strike ever that mother also had a birthday ?  She was born someday to bring us all on this earth? 

When I told this to my brother he also lamented  for this  unintentional  lapse of  our feeling for mother ! Though we all loved our mother.  My other brother  consoled me "here in India  we live closely-knitted family in much healthy society. we  owe  to  only one mother , and one father ;whereas  in the West most children have  more than single parent ;Some children are away from their biological parent ;so they need  'Mother's Day','Father's Day' for the  recognition  and  renewing  the relationship.We  felt the presence of our parents in    our everyday life  as breathing air that we never felt to a single day to be celebrated for them. 

From when this "mothers' day happened to be celebrated. throughout   US as well as the West ?  Perhaps, with  advanced civilization and women education, as women stepped out of home for earning  money  to add prosperity to home?  The absence  of mother created an emptiness at home and wanting the motherly warmth and affinity   to their children .The new prosperity and  long   absence   from home both jointly made new valuations  to the importance  of absentee mothers.  .....Also it may be a successful outcome of feministic movement .

Out of 365 days offering a single day in honor at the alter of pain-taking mother's womb.......some flower bouquet, perfume , fancy dress,  cosmetics or shoes and favourite  dishes or dessert from  gourmet confectionery. and exchanging the warmth of heart with the warmth of summer ;lastly to post  snap on Facebook with cheese smile of happy mothers !  A Country-wide tribute   of US   festival  has become  now global !(but not in our time.) 

Indians are excellent than ape to adapt the art of  imitating .  Some Indian boy, after his arrival in  US, wished  his mother  and sent gift on this particular day,  Mother was very happy to  know the custom   as extra bonus .  Then  the  son  was out of touch for a long time.  

Mother then called her son to say,

"Kya beta, Mother day ke bad vul. gaya apne ma-ko?"   

"My son , did you forget your ailing mother who is suffering from artharitis   and loneliness   since  you left  India for getting job in US and your father passed away on sudden cerebral attack?"

Basically all the festivals ,whether Mother's Day or Valentine's or Thanks Giving are always commercial  with charming gifts, cards social clothes, shoes ,bags , cakes ,going  restaurant for gourmet food who can afford ! 

 

The motive behind all festivals, either social or religious,  is  more   marketing  of business, more  flourishing  of   finance and   the channeling  of money.

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Friday/May 9/2025 

I was sick .So my daughter took me to 'urgent care' at 3:00pm.In the evening, after dinner, she sadly declared that all good restaurants are booked on Sunday. 

I asked why are you searching restaurant ?

There is chicken  in  refrigerator and lot of other staffs .I will cook."

 

"Oh no.  Sunday is  Mother's Day.  You have to go restaurant with me."

Then I remember  my  first Mother's Day in US !

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