During our recent trip to El Paso, when we heard the pastor sharing some thoughts about the Pope’s visit and blessings he shared a great way to enquire each other’s wellbeing. He said instead of asking folks how they are doing or how is life and so on and so forth, it would be better to ask “Comastas tu Corazon?” meaning “How is your heart?” It resonated well with me.

It is our heart that generates these true feelings of oneness.  It is our heart that yearns, pines, longs, feels, pains. It is our heart that allows us to reach out to others. It is our sweet heart that gets elevated and uplifted. It is our heart that resonates to others suffering. It is our heart that heals us from traumas.  It is again our heart that understands, forgives, cherishes, embraces, and encompasses everything with great love, grace, and without any expectations, restrictions, and constrictions.  So the heart is the seat of all that makes us truly human. If we wonder where God resides we can easily say that when our heart melts at other’s pain and suffering that is where God lies. Our heart is the vessel of all love.

A mother, the best embodiment of love on earth, carries the tenderness and sweetness in her heart for all her children. She is the visible manifestation of God.

On this mother’s day, as on previous mother’s days as well, I started to reminisce.  In my mind’s eye the many interactions, guidance, support, care, and above all, love that my mother who now lives in faraway Puttaparthi, India, shares with me, crossed the screen of my consciousness.  It is always rejuvenating and refreshing to be around her.  When being around her physically is not possible I make do with phone calls and they too are a great means to bond.

I also remember my grandmothers – paternal as well as maternal – who I unfortunately lost a few years ago. They had a great influence on my life, especially during my formative years.  I miss them dearly.

My maternal grandmother completely devoted her time for God and the family.  She was always busy tending to her family. I used to see and observe how to grow vegetables and fruits in the back yard; how to work hard day and night; cook a delicious meal when a bunch of people suddenly showed up or even on a daily basis without complaining. Cleaning dishes, washing clothes, if needed drawing water from the well – she did it all with a smile. She was all in one – always willing to extend herself for the family.

My paternal grandmother taught us the value in serving others and how to uphold dharma and values no matter what. She would take us to missionaries of charity and we would visit orphanages couple of times a year and serve food to children there. My grandmother stood as a beacon of love. She would help seniors with their pension problems, take them to the local government offices and plead with the officers on their behalf to provide the pension benefits due to them.  She would write articles or letters to the editor in the newspapers where she would share the problems that people are going through in the neighborhood. She was willing to stick her neck out as the voice of the meek. My commitment to community service is due to my early exposure and it was possible through my grandmother’s love and care.

Likewise I fondly remembered the time I closely spent with Shyam’s mother, my mother in law, during her last couple of years before she merged in the Lord.  While her health was deteriorating her spirit was always hopeful.  By spending time with her during her illness, I was able to see how she continued to shower love on all despite her growing physical infirmity. She would wonder when the Lord would call her back to His abode.  She pondered over her life and if she had fulfilled her life’s purpose.  By the continuous stream of neighbors and other visitors who came to spend time with her and enjoy conversing with her it was clear that she had indeed a loving impact on all who interacted with her. She enjoyed the simple things of life such as the presence of the warm sunshine on a cool morning, cool breeze on a summer afternoon, reading a book, feeding all who visited with her, sharing words of wisdom in easy to understand ways, to keep spirituality simple rather than esoteric and many such invaluable traits. Being with her up close during her final days helped me look at the deeper aspects of life with a clear understanding. I am ever grateful to her for the wisdom she imparted to me.

What can I say or do which can ever thank these beautiful mothers in a befitting manner?

Wish you all a wonderful mother’s day. Do take time out of your schedules to spend quality time with your mother – you will cherish this time again and again.

God Bless and Namaste,

Sarojini