A mother's day tribute by Raghava Lawrence

The actor pens a letter of love and gratitude to his mother
A mother's day tribute by Raghava Lawrence

It’s not easy being a mother. Being one is way more than giving birth to a child. I realised this only when I became a father. It’s a gift, a blessing, a relationship that never ends. When I grew up, I didn’t have my father around. It was tough. I had brain tumour as a kid. My mother had to endure so much pain. I am married today, and remain very much attached to my mother. No matter how occupied I am, I make it to a point to spend time with her.

I have become a better human only because of the values I learned from her. Though I am in my early 40s, I still go running to her sometimes. She always knows what to say to me to make everything seem okay. She isn’t the kind to watch films, but she’s the only one who hears things I don’t even say and sees things I try to hide. She makes me feel heard. My mother’s an ardent fan of Swami Raghavendra, and I, too, became his devotee and adopted his name.

Parenting doesn’t stop when your child turns 18. Even now, she keeps guiding me. I feel disheartened when I see children abandon their parents. In fact, I’ve heard  stories where the staff of old-age homes attend funerals in place of the children. This should change. The law today penalises us when we drink and drive. I wish there were equally stringent laws to ensure that elders are not abandoned. I have always felt mothers don’t get the attention and love they deserve in general. I wonder sometimes: “How does everything feel so safe when a mother’s around?”

Thank you doesn’t even come close to expressing the gratitude I feel for what she’s done, but I just want to let her know she’s very important. I see how much she’s sacrificed for me. But with great effort comes great reward.
I still remember how she put me to sleep when I was barely eight or nine. Those are precious moments that I’ll never forget and will always be grateful for. In fact, looking back, I feel everything deeper now, including respect and admiration for my mother. She never eats food on time. She’s always making sure I eat first. I am talking about the simple things, the things everybody knows, but that’s what matter the most.
I’ve had friends tell me that they could never talk to their mothers as friends, the way I have always talked to mine. My mother gave me the ultimate gift: she accepted me for who I am. She has tolerated my stories that go on and on without a point. She has supported my dreams unconditionally. Also, she’s taught me how to lead a simple life.

My mother is proud of whatever I’ve accomplished today.  She always says, “You need to work to make it happen.” She puts me first and is truly an example of everything a woman could be.
Now, I see my daughter’s face in my mother’s. A lot of parents try to make their children in their own image, but that is not what my mother did. She helped me become who I have.

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