‘Behind every successful man, there is a woman’ is an immensely popular saying but I believe that ‘Behind every successful Child, there is a Mother!’
If it would not have been for my mother, I would have been married to some man at an early age with no ambition and no career. And if it would not have been for my mother-in-law, I would not have been writing this first blog on my website.
A woman goes through a lot of phases in her life from being a child to girl to women to mother and each phase is so much different from the
other and at every step she needs her mother. I am grateful that one mother shaped me the way I am today, and the other mother helped me to continue to be what I am.
I am no different than millions of girls and boys who dial up their mom for every little thing. Be it some good news, a recipe, a bad day or something they are unable to find (it does not matter if you are in another city or country), mother comes to rescue. Many a times, I call her up and share something which she might not ever heard of or she did not have any expertise in but in the end, she always has the right answer. I do not know how but maybe I will learn this art slowly, given that I have become one.
At times, I ponder that our mothers know the words we cannot say, the feeling we cannot express, the thoughts we cannot comprehend but do we know our mothers even at the basic level?So, I have decided to invest some time and know her better.
This Mother’s Day, you too give her the gift of quality time (given that the gift shops are closed due to lock-down) and know her a little more. Though you don’t need a specific day to do that, but an occasion definitely gives you a push to start something.
In case you are wondering where to start, here are some questions to break the ice.
- What is your Comfort Food? – She feeds everyone day and night, but have you ever asked what food takes her to the happy place?
- What is your favourite Restaurant? – Whenever she goes out to eat, she always says she can make this at home and far better, but what about the time she does not want to cook? Who can she trust to feed her?
- What is your Dream Vacation? – She believes in ‘Ghar hi Jannat hai’, but if she must escape the chaos where does she want to go?
- What is your favourite YouTube channel/TV channel? – She might be up to date on all the daily soaps, but you will be surprised to know her favourite channel.
- What is your all-time favourite Movie? – She may or may not choose the new gen flick as her anytime watch.
- What was your relationship like, with your parents? – She may be friendly or strict or the Hitler-Mom, but don’t you want to know how she handled her own parents? Maybe you will get some tips 😛
- What is your favourite Childhood Memory? – She made a whole album capturing your childhood and does not leave a chance to tell you that hilarious episode for 100th time, but which incident makes her nostalgic from her own childhood?
- What you wanted to be, apart from a mother? – She always knew she would be a mother someday, but what does she really dreamt to be?
- What is your Biggest Nightmare? – Apart from losing her family, there is that one thing that shudders her when she thinks of it.
- Did you see Dad or his picture before marriage? – Nowadays people do not get married without really knowing the person, but back then she didn’t even know his full name.
- What was your Wedding Day like? – We have so many ways to cope with the D-Day, but how did she do on hers?
- What was your life like for you at my age? – Life was so different for them when she was growing up, wouldn’t it be exciting to know her adventures back in the day?
- What is my favourite Childhood Memory for you? – This could a proud moment or notorious moment she remembers from your days.
- What is the Best Vacation you have been on? – She may have been on a lot of family holidays, but one remains to close to her heart.
- What is your Idea of Retirement? – She is a mother; she never retires but what if she is given a chance to be free from this ‘moh-maya’?
- What is the biggest compromise that you have done for your family? – She must have done lots, it is part and parcel of being a mother, but what was gravest one?
- What is your Biggest Achievement till date? – Being a mother would certainly be extremely high up there, but what is at the top of the pile?
- How difficult/easy it was to live with your In-Laws? – Most of the families are nuclear these days but there used to be huge joint families at that time. Let her spill some gossip too 😛
- What is one thing in your life you wished you had done differently? – She may or may not have any regrets, but it is worth knowing if she has one and if we could fill that gap.
- Is there anything you would want me to do differently or like to change? – Ask this question only if you are ready to accept the answer 😛
Don’t limit your curiosity to these questions but don’t flood her with them. She might not be able to answer all the question or may not want to. Don’t push her.
Let it go with the flow!
Have a great time knowing your Mom and witness the shine in her eyes as she re-lives all those moments.
