Motherhood - A tribute

"The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation." - James E. Faust

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Dear Investors & Friends:

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Welcome to this edition of the SundayReads.

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Today is Mother’s Day.

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In one of my favourite photographs of my mother, she’s about 16 and very beautiful, with long plaited hair. It’s the 1960s and she’s wearing a white top and a black pleated skirt. She sits there, a young woman on the brink of the world, unaware of the joys and sorrows that will shape her journey.

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I hadn’t seen this photo for years, until I stumbled upon it in the old box of photographs pending to be scanned. She looks beautiful, so young and innocent. The young woman in this photo has no idea that life will bring her a loving husband, three children, and five grandchildren, she will battle health issues, widowhood, and a move across homes.

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For me, as for many daughters, the time before my mother became a mother is a string of stories, told and retold: I remember the stories, the fragments of her past woven into the fabric of our family lore. The tales of adventures with her grandparents, the victories on the badminton court, the moments of spotlight on the stage. Each memory, each snapshot captured in the frames of our minds, a treasure trove of her essence before she became "Mom."

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As I gaze upon that photograph, I see more than just a young woman; I see a reflection of myself, a mirror into my own soul. In her laughter, I hear echoes of my own, in her dreams, I see shadows of my aspirations. It's comforting to realize that no matter how much time passes, how old we get, or even if we become mothers ourselves, our essential selves remain unchanged.

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And yet, in the passage of time, it's easy to forget that she was once more than just "Mom." She was a woman, with hopes and fears, passions and desires of her own. The photo reminds me of the person she was before the weight of motherhood settled upon her shoulders.

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Many of us look back at our mothers' younger selves and see a sense of effortless strength that we can't help but envy. In those old photos, we find a roadmap for how we want to perceive young womanhood. We admire qualities like courage, allure, authority, compassion, and determination, and we yearn for our moms to embody them again as they once did.

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But does becoming a mother mean letting go of these traits? Can a woman be both sensual and nurturing, bold and responsible, naive yet wise? Do we unintentionally box our mothers into certain roles, expecting them to shed aspects of their identity as they step into motherhood?

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Perhaps it's time we see our mothers for who they truly are: multifaceted beings capable of embodying a myriad of qualities, regardless of their roles in life. They are not confined to stereotypes or expectations; they are individuals with their own dreams, desires, and complexities.

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Today, on Mother's Day, I am reminded of the woman behind the title. In her, I see the embodiment of womanhood in all its complexity. She is both fierce and gentle, strong and vulnerable, wise beyond measure yet forever young at heart. And as I look at her, I realize that she has always been there, a constant presence in my life, a source of love and inspiration.

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The woman in the picture is someone other than the woman we know.

She is also exactly the person in the photo — still, right now.

Finally, we see that the woman we’ve come to think of as Mom — whether she’s nurturing, or disapproving, or thoughtful, or delusional, or pestering, or supportive, or sentimental — is also a mysterious, fun, brave lady!

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She’s been here all this time.

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Have you looked at her lately? What do you see?

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To the incredible women who fill our lives with love, strength, and endless support: Happy Mother's Day! Today, we celebrate them and all that they do.

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Until the next week and the next SundayRead, Ciao.

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With much Warmth

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Kavita Bothra

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Helping you think thoughts you may not have thought before.