What I received from my mother

What I received from my mother

 Unconditional love. What do those words really mean? How does that translate into action? These are uniquely personal to each of us. I consider myself among the fortunate to have been Blessed with amazing parents. On Mother's Day, perhaps more than any other attribute, unconditional love comes to mind. My parents were married in 1968. Growing up for the early portion of my life in India, I was Blessed to experience the warmth of a large, integrated family unit but blissfully unaware of the significant role my mother would come to play once we immigrated to the United States. My parents left the comforts of an upper middle class life in India to start all over because they believed in the promise and ideals of America. But life was not easy for my parents, particularly my mom but I don’t recall a single instance where that ever permeated in a negative way to my brother and me. My mom simply did what she thought was necessary to support our family.  

As I reflect back, the only words that can explain the steadfast strength of my mother is unconditional love. My mom was present through all of my triumphs and failures as a teenager and then as a struggling college student and foreseeing what only mothers can see - giving me unyielding belief when I failed to grasp at it myself -- showing remarkable strength when I joined the US Army though I know she was scared of what might come -- taking the brunt of doubts from others on her son’s unconventional path while being steadfast in her belief of the art of the possible. My mom instantly saw the remarkable character of my future wife and extended her unconditional love as we began our own journey through life as a couple.  

None of us take the same paths in life but we need guide posts along the way. My mom's unconditional love served as a beacon that ultimately brought me to my faith journey. In Indian culture, there is a belief that parents are the closest thing to God on earth. I feel Blessed to have experienced that and do not take it for granted. 

As we raise our daughter, I see so many of those same qualities in my wife and especially as we live through Covid-19. My respect and admiration for her has only increased multifold.  

Happy Mother’s Day to my mom, my wife and to all the remarkable mothers out there. Thank you and God Bless.