Heart of our Home

          How does your day start? When I'm at home, after I wake up, I often find my dad either proudly recounting his early morning work at the plantation or announcing his to-do list for the day. Most mornings, I hear our cat meowing and see my mom prepping breakfast, greeting me with a big grin and a lovely "Good morning." In the background, my grandma murmurs old songs. These moments fill me with gratitude and a sense of calm. I seldom miss an opportunity to thank God for keeping my loved ones and my surroundings well.

           Well, for every child on earth, their mother holds a very special place in their life, and I am no exception. My mom is my most favorite person, and she's my answer to questions like "What is your most favorite thing?" or "Who is your favorite?" Literally, I am nothing without her (of course, I wouldn't exist without her). At this point, you might start to feel like you're reading a Mother's Day essay, but this is not an exaggeration. Meet my mom, who is probably fed up with hearing "Sorry amma, I love you amma" from her daughter for hundreds of times already. I am that daughter and I love my mom immensely. I know she loves me too, but I have never asked her, "Who is your most favorite?" because I definitely know I'll come third or fourth after her pet dogs, cats, and plants!

            I am the most silent member of my home, a fact I'm not particularly proud of. My mom, on the other hand, is the most lively and funny, always spreading positive vibes. My dad transitions between my mom's energy levels and mine. So, if my mom isn't at home, there's a total void which I do not like at all. Not just when she's out, but even when she recites shlokas silently or prays during the day, I find it difficult to bear. I want her to finish her prayers quickly, which practically never happens. Her prayers include everyone and everything, starting from Subbi's (our cat) well-being to the families of martyrs, and possibly even world peace and the health of polar bears in Antarctica. The list goes on, and who knows, you might also be in her prayers. She's that pure soul with a golden heart, innocent and witty.

            Usually, I don’t make much of a splash with my presence. My family knows I’m home only by the sound of my keyboard clicks and mouse movements—nothing more. A family friend once remarked, "It feels like committing a crime to open my bag zipper in her room." I also don’t invite guests unless my mom is around. She’s my savior, my best friend, and the perfect host. I rarely hum a melodious tune, but when I do, my parents are thrilled. They take it as a sign that I’m in a very good, pleasant state of mind.

            My mom and I share a special bond. Every day, we sit together for our random coffee breaks, leaving all work behind for a moment. During these times, my mom sometimes exclaims, "How did you become my daughter? I don’t see any of my traits in you. You don’t play pranks, you don’t sing wrong lyrics, you barely sing at all, and you never lie about missing plans!" She wonders aloud, and I love her all the more for it. This is why I never want to be apart from her, even for a short time. During the days when I worked away from home, I missed her every single day.

           She’s the best—best wife, daughter, mother, cook, and friend; in short, she’s the best human being. She’s the heart and soul of our home. My dad and I weren’t initially fond of pets, but when my mom started caring for a cat and later a dog, we gradually grew to love them too! In fact, my dad now adores them even more than my mom does. Her garden is filled with plants that seem to smile under her care. I admire her life spirit and her love for living. She never fails to inspire me in some way or another. She’s the strongest woman who raised me well, taught me exceptionally, and does everything for me. From being a strict mom when needed to offering the best career, financial and relationship advice as a friend, this is a small appreciation post for my dearest, loveliest mom!

Her resilience and sense of humor keep our home lively and full of laughter. She's the one who turns ordinary moments into cherished memories, whether it's a spontaneous joke or a heartfelt chat over coffee. I feel incredibly lucky to share my life with her, and her daily presence is a gift I cherish deeply. Each day with her is a reminder of the joy and comfort she brings to our lives.

I’m sharing these photographs because they capture some of her best and happiest moments from recent times—memories she’ll cherish and look back on with joy.