HOW COME MOTHERS HAVE ONLY TWO HANDS?

 




“If evolution really works,

how come mothers have only two hands?”

Milton Berle

 

 

Today is my mom’s birthday… She completes 87. On her last birthday, mom was able to know, that it was her birthday. She was able to walk (with some support), talk, eat, pray, laugh, cry and feel. She was able to recognize everyone. But, on her this birthday, everything has changed: she had a fall, following which she was hospitalized, operated upon… since then, her condition has only deteriorated. Presently, she needs help for every little thing… She is unable to recognize any one or understand what is happening around her… She needs to be fed… A spoon of food takes time, and patience… Long time; long patience!

Oscar Wilde had said this: “All women become like their mothers. It’s their tragedy. No man does. It’s his.” Often, these words make me wonder, as to why the poet had said this!

Perhaps, I can understand why the poet had said it, by going back in time… A spoon of food must’ve taken a very, very long time, too, when mom tried to feed her five sons… one after another. It must’ve taken long, long patience for her, too… All her prime years must’ve gone in making her five sons – later, her grandchildren – stronger and tougher in life.  She was a strong and sensitive mother. And, what she did for her sons is described beautifully by Lauryn Hill:

“A strong mother doesn’t tell her cub, ‘Son, stay weak, so the wolves can get you’. She says, ‘Toughen up… This is reality we are living in.”




(Mom and me – 2008 August. At TISS Auditorium, Mumbai)

 

 


(Mom, a few minutes ago… Her favourite grandson, Sherwin,

has just arranged  to send her a b’day treat. Mom, sadly, isn’t aware of it!)




                          (My eldest brother Franklin and his wife Merlyn are singing for mom)

 

My eldest brother Franklin and his wife, Merlyn, under whose direct care our mom has been for decades now, are the most blessed ones among us all. Rest of us left home, when we were young, in search of our own place under the Sun. Yes, our mom wanted us to. She said,  “Go, kiss the world… Become tough… This is a tough world.”

We have become tough, no doubt. But, our hearts refuse to become so… All the toughness in the world has failed to make me what a mother has been…

That’s the tragedy Oscar Wilde, I think, was referring to.

Happy b’day mom… It has been the longest year of your 87-year life!





 

GERALD D’CUNHA

 

Pic.: 1. cottonbro/Pixels 2. Ashok Ahuja 3. Merlyn D'Cunha

 

Video: 1. Merlyn D'Cunha 2. Colors  TV

 

Comments

Shyla said…
Happy Birthday dear Aunty. Aunty is blessed to have family around her all the while. Realities of life beautifully written.
July 3, 2022 at 9:42 PM
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