Letter To My Mother

Dear Mother,  Happy Birthday, Mom.  All your children are here today.. to celebrate your exemplary life!  What a turbulent but amazing journey it was, Mommy!  You grew up in a beautiful lush tea-garden, entwined by luxuriant greenery, foliage and flowers,  on top of a hill, prancing and frolicking among pineapple orchards,  caressing domestic animals, collecting sweet-scented dainty flowers  for your dearest grandma, to worship her idols.  and Music! Your father’s Piano - source of all the happiness and harmony in a peaceful world!  melody serenaded to the surrounding mountains and hills, from the quaint tastefully decorated bungalow! Mom, you had to leave that calm, serene life  when you were only seventeen… due to a sudden and unexpected illness  your father passed away, there were huge changes in your life… as well as in the country!  A historical Partition of the country, a curse for millions, really occurred, and decided the fate of your family! They lost everything!  Many were forced to leave and relocate to another land they had never known. So was your family - move to an alien pasture!  You survived that trauma, you supported and saved your family, with a strong hand, with a powerful  mind! Your life, after Partition, was never easy, it was only hard work for survival!  But you remained the pillar of strength for everyone who would crumble under that heavy burden of hardship, Dear Mom, how did you gain such courage? Whenever I need your guidance,  I close my eyes, and ponder....  how would you face that situation -  the thought makes me decide my path,  fragrance from Jasmine flowers, your favourite, tells me I have your blessings.   You had lived in this room for a while, you told me you loved the curtain with embroidered golden leaves! Waking up at the first light of ruby dawn, You used to gaze at the enthralling leaves, Each enigmatic leaf reminded you each of your beloved ones. You prayed for them, each and every person precious in your life, and for everyone in the world! I always wanted to be like you,  Kind, patient, dignified, unperturbed in distress,  I wanted to tell you how much I loved you,  You taught me to be compassionate to the needy,  to be grateful and humble for what we had,  still holding my head high against arrogance,  in struggles and challenges .  Love you, Mom, and salute you - You were a true Warrior in a sea of turmoil! Without your undeviating presence in our life,  Our family wouldn’t be able to weather the storm… to pick up from the debris of a crushed life... I see you smiling a gracious smile!   Your Daughter, XXXX April 21, 2023 Letter To Your Mother Poetry Contest Sponsor: Anoucheka Gangabissoon