Day 291/366

Ma learnt how Skype works today, which is the best thing to have happened to me. I've been trying to get her to learn it since college. She had convinced herself quite conveniently that it would be too tough a job to do. And she believed it cost money. I'm so glad I've erased those silly little misconceptions from her head.

She kind of treated the webcam as a mirror, which was adorable. She was smiling and making funny facial expressions as she always does, not realizing that I could see it all. On my part, I made fun of her and laughed and put on weird fattening effects and frames to entertain her. Such a short and simple conversation. But it just made my day to see her face while hearing her voice at the same time. Today, I must thank technology and the guys who made Skype. I love you for being simple enough for a not-so-tech-savvy person to use you. God bless.

Day 276/366

How are some people so amazing? They are kind, funny, full of life and have so much character. You know, like the kind of childhood stories that you know make for good after-dinner family conversations. She was the queen of each tale. More can be told about her only when you meet her. Right now, she's busy orchestrating a thunderous whisper in the dark skies.

Day 269/366

The joy of reuniting-
With an old friend, a lover, a mother.
The incredible mix of emotions
The subsided anger
The end of patience
The rush of love
The enigma.

You made me wait too long, love.
Yet today I will not complain
For too long have I anticipated now
And craved your sweet embrace.

The parting must one day return
Until then, let us drink to our fate
I have been blessed again with your delightful company.
I hope you have the heart to stay.

Day 251/366

My mother is adorable. Technology's never been her strongest point and she's one of those loyal Nokia phones fan. Unfortunately for her, my sister and I somehow convinced her to get a Blackberry. I feel really bad for her for struggling with it but she makes me day. Every single day.

So, today's conversation went something like this.

Rohini (R): Good morning! Will call after having tea.
Mummy (M): Ok dude....hahahaha...I'm in a crazily nice mood :) :D
R: Haha, this is Didi, not Ma.

Later...

M: Did u receive a mail now?
R: Yep :)
M: Ok...just testing...I managed...(Her being excited that she forwarded a mail with photographs attached via BB) yohoho and a bottle of rum :)
R: Ha! Blue blistering barnacles! Thundering typhoons! Now go to sleep. Sweet dreams :)
M: Ok...as u say...(Yawn)...fast asleep

A few minutes later...

R: Mummy, she's too cute! (The mail she sent me had photographs of a 3-year-old niece of mine going for her first day of school.)
M: Who is this she?
R: Zizou! (Just a nickname. Don't worry. Real name's a normal Indian name)
M: ??? oooh! I thought me...well, I am, ain't I cute?
R: You are! The cutest, smartest, loveliest person I know! :)
M: Mwah..Now I will sleep. Good night. I love you.

She changes her status to 'Itul Pitul', which is her way of saying that she wants to pull my cheeks and treat me like a baby. Your mother is the one person you can count on to always make you smile, even in the hardest of times. I love you, Ma :) Thank you for always making my day.

Day 183/366

I held her hand as tightly as I could. I knew it was hurting her slightly when I saw her face but I couldn't get myself to let go. She was the best person I had ever met in life. And luckily for me, she'd also been the same person who had brought me into this world.

I hate airports. And I hate partings. Put the two together and you have a girl who you used to cry often enough to get her the name 'crybaby'. One fine day, that girl woke up and discovered that she had cried too much in life and that the tears just wouldn't flow anymore. As she rejoiced, no tears of happiness streamed down her cheeks. She was quite pleased with this little development in her previously unnecessarily tear-filled life.

A few months later, she was writing a long email to her mother. She was homesick. missed playing Ma's favorite song for her to fall asleep to. She sat listening closely to the harmonies take her into a dreamlike world where she was back in her own home hugging the lady she was thinking so fondly of. Almost as if out of thin air, sobs spaced by sniffles filled the still air in the room.

That night, she cried herself to sleep with a smile spread across her face.

Day 37/366

Ma
Try as one may,
No one can replace her,
The warmth of her hand,
The tangibility of her love.

She watched as you grew older,
She cried when you held her hand,
She even played chuppa-chuppi
When all your friends had gone away.

Accepting your bad judgement,
Acknowledgement of your flaws,
Are just a small price she pays,
For all the smiles you brought.

Love her unconditionally,
She's the reason you're alive,
Ma, I really love you,
I just hope I can make you proud.