writeroute’s blog

I wish to thank my father for all that he has given us (we are four siblings), in terms of values in life. Once while reading a Readers Digest I came across the following quote the best thing a man can give to his children is to love their mother. These words struck me so hard that these kept coming in my mind over and over again. How true. I thought why I am the way I am. Its all because of my mother - who in turn was loved and respected by her spouse. We saw in them the completeness of a family-, which is very rarely seen today.

Ever since I can remember, my father has always been there for me, whether it was a question of learning a car, or studies. He never once said no you cannot do it, always said go sit at driving seat- he could have said no you will hit the car, etc. While in hostel for my PG and PhD, never once I had to ask for money. It always reached me in advance. I always tell my children about their Nanaji. They are so awed. Again in all my ups and downs of my life he has been a pillar of strength- morally, physically and financially. His presence is enough to guide me through this life.

May God shower all his blessings on him, give him good health and happiness. Now that my mother is no more I know that he is very lonely. Ever since she left us he has been both a father and mother to me. Not all have fathers like mine. I am the privileged one. I feel fathers are like trees, which give shade to all its children. It is only whether we understand it or not.

While in service he commanded respect from all quarters. He was an able administrator cum policeman  all in one because he started his career as a policeman (boy service). Those who have come in contact with him always admire him- his seniors or juniors. Till today his contacts are a great help to all (especially my younger brother, isn't it brother)

May God shower all his choicest blessings on him and grant him a long and fulfilling life. Daddy we love you.

I realized what a mother is in the real sense when I myself became one. Not that I didn't realize what a mother is for her children. But knowing and feeling are two different things.

After the birth of my first child, I understood that motherhood is a journey, which follows a difficult path.

Seeing my own life and feeling how my mother nurtured us I realize that every young mother is happy when a child is born unto her. Seeing the bundle of joy she just cannot believe that anything else could be better. She lovingly bathes her child, feeds him, and plays with him, all the while saying that nothing could be better or lovelier than this. Just a smile or a cuddle is ample to make a mother happy.

The young mother when she sets her foot on the path of life. 'Is this way long?' she asked. The guide said' Yes but 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.

The later years are dark and stormy and the children trembled with fear at each and every difficult time. The mother draws them close and covers them with her mantle. The children are not afraid because mother is near them and they know that no harm can come to them.

 Later in life when there are obstacles in life the children went on together with the mother. Always the mother gave them the lesson of patience 'Be a little more patient' we shall succeed. So the children went on and on and reached the top and said 'we couldn't have done it without you mother'.

The mother when she lay down at night, looks towards the stars says, 'This day is better than the one gone by. My children have learnt fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage; today I have given them strength.'

But there is more to come in life. Strange dark clouds darken the earth, clouds of war, hatred and evil. The children groped and stumbled. The mother said;' Look up to the light beyond the dark clouds of hatred and evil' The children looked up and saw the clouds in an everlasting glory, which guided them beyond darkness. That night the mother said to herself 'This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God' The days went on, the weeks, the months and the years. The mother grew old and was a little bent but her children were strong and tall and walked with courage.

Onwards they went on the journey of life. When the way was rough they lifted her, for she was as light as feather. At last they came to a hill beyond which they saw a shinning road and the gates flung open. The mother said' I have reached the end of my journey. Now I know that the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone and their children after them. The gate closed after her, and the children stood and watched her go alone. They said, we cannot see her but she is still with us. A mother like ours is more than a memory, she is a living presence. Nothing can separate us, not time, not space-not even death.

Living a life well is an art in itself. However much one may plan and try hard but what life has in store for one never knows. It unfolds in its own pace. Nothing guarantees- being educated and coming from a well knit and well placed family is no prerequisite for a successful and happy life. It us rightly said that there are no retakes in life.

So much has been said about the upliftment of women, protection of human rights and a bill for protection against domestic violence, which is very much appreciated, but a society can progress only if the mindset of people is changed.

There are a lot of educated housewives, who are capable of earning a decent income for themselves, are leading a difficult life due to financial difficulties-created by their near and dear ones-the husband.

A woman chooses to be a housewife at the insistence of her life partner with a plea that house and kids would be neglected when the women venture out to work or pursue a career. But a time comes during middle age when she realizes that she has nothing to call her own not even the money when her husband chooses to chide her to the point of desertion. She is a prisoner in her home.  Every now and then abuses are hurled on her that he is supporting her. She has to listen to each and every order of his to please him so that she is not uprooted. Isn't it sad? For 20 years she's been tending to their kids and home and brought them up without a thought for herself-selflessly. For the sake of self-respect she cannot move out with her growing up kids because she has no job to support them and not a single paisa was invested in her name. No joint accounts, nothing. How lovingly she has been trapped.

Going back to the earlier point when a woman works tirelessly to make a home a home, bringing up kids, proper running of the house in the absence of maids, the children's studies etc ' the list is unending 'isn't a wife entitled to some remuneration against all this work she does all her life selflessly. Instead of a wife if there was a governess to look after the house she would have been paid handsomely and also appreciated. Alas! This is not the case with most of the wives.95% of the husband's never appreciate their wives, never dole out money happily for them for their expenses. Never encourage them to do something worthwhile.

If this state of affairs continues the time is not far when women would choose not to marry and be happy themselves-being their own masters, isn't it? To satisfy their maternal instincts adopting a child would be the remedy.