13 Nov 2015

#madeofgreat

Written for the Tata Motors contest on IndiBlogger

There is this woman.


She is intelligent AND beautiful. She is sensible BUT does not take herself too seriously. It is very easy to make her laugh. She is loyal and will do anything for her family. She loves easily, trusts even more quickly. She bruises quietly and heals quickly. She is the foundation that a family stands on. Without her, we are all just a pack of cards waiting to fall apart.

Her heart has been trodden on one time too many. After a quietly abusive marriage to worthless garbage, dependence of the worst sort, and the desperate helplessness that comes with the dependence, she walks on, still strong, she goes forward, she makes sure we have the best opportunities she can give us, she is still the pillar that everyone collectively leans on.

Her insides writhe with a mother’s guilt; she beats herself up every day quietly because she thinks, in the absence of a father, she is giving us only half the life that we deserve. Little does she know that our lives start and end with her. While all other sentences will end in a period at some point, she is the only run-on sentence in the book of our lives that will last forever.

I remember long hours of studying together for the UN Assembly exam, the distinction I got had my name on it but all the work, she did. I remember exam times during which we finished our third revision of the portions and played a game of Jenga with broken glass bangles. I remember how much crap I gave her as a teen but one year away from her taught me that she is everything I have and she is all I need. I remember finding out that she had given instructions to the boyfriend and the best friend to make me so happy that I’d not miss her, she was more concerned about my happiness than the fact that she was travelling so far alone from home all by herself for the first ever time.

I’m so jealous of her: wherever she goes, she gains a fan following. People like her so much, they get attached to her and want her for themselves. I want to scream at her and say GET LOST, she is MINE. Her students (she is an English teacher) love her so much that they study and get great marks just to make her happy.

She can wiggle around to pop music to make us laugh, teach us to read and write, and ensure that we want more than just the stars for ourselves. Her heart breaks more than ours, when we fail at something but she has never ever left our sides, brushing failure off and teaching us to stand up and try again.

She supports every last one of my decisions (and also helps me picks up the pieces when everything comes tumbling down) and is the one person I can speak my mind to – while mum believes that it is because I am sensible person, I believe that I may be an okay person because she raised me right. Her fifteen-year-old son goes to her for comfort because, for him, there is no one better than his mum. Her little-est one, a bratty teen if there ever was one, rants and raves at her but at the end of the day, the only person she wants around is her mummy.

You should see the way she plays sports; with one sprained leg and one cramped one, she beat the living daylights out of us, less than half her age, at badminton, with no practice whatsoever. She swings the bat and you will know for sure that the ball has gone far past a sixer. If she had not gotten stuck in the most unnecessary of marriages, she would have most definitely gone places. Natural talent does not diminish over time or with age.

Fifteen minutes in the kitchen and this woman has dinner ready – twenty rotis and one sabzi. This is apart from prep for the next morning. Her room and her clothes are always in pristine condition. If only even one of us took after her. If only I could manage this ONE day of the week.

She taught us how to live, how to be safe, how to protect ourselves. She taught us good from bad. And how one should always forgive. She taught us that having faith can get us through the toughest times. And she also has ingrained in us the ability to always, always see the silver lining.
And she taught us all this by example.

After all the crap that life has shoved her way, she still walks around happy with who she is. After more than two decades of unhappiness, she smiles, she laughs, and she makes people around her happy. She believes in being good. She believes in herself.

As a grown woman going through a similar life, I appreciate all her sacrifices and the little things about her that make her amazing so much more than I did as a child. I shrug out of my own problems because they seem so insignificant in front of the ones she has.

Ties of love come with being related by blood. But to inspire a person through all stages of her/ his life, to make them want to be better, to do better, takes a special kind of person, inspiration of the most real kind.

She is the coolest mother out there.
She is the mother that everyone wanted, but only we got.

She is definitely, definitely #madeofgreat

14 comments:

  1. Thats' a great analogy. Does your mom read your blog? If she doesn't, share the link.

    And I was about to write for the contest. But by the looks of it, you beat me fair and square. So, saving myself from being disappointed (again).

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  2. Yo! Messi on the field=Mother at home :-D ! There couldn't be a better parallel! Best wishes to you and your mother :-)

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  3. Such a sweet post! Big hugs to you and wishes to your mom, moms are just simply the best!

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  4. And there I thought she was your elder sister!! Kudos to her spirit!

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  5. A superb post...
    I think the association between Lionel Messi and Tata Motors is that of excellence within simplicity, commitment and strive to achieve.

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  6. Your mom is no doubt made of great :) I think for every child out there her/his mom is made of gret. Aren't mom's the ones who do great things without expecting anything back in return? Lovely post dear. I am sure your mother is lucky to have children who appreciate everything she did in life for you .

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  7. Tata Motors and Messi compliment each other like aloo does to Samosa. Tata Motors and Lionel Messi have many things in common.Firstly both of them have highly credible performance record. Secondly they are both made of great material. Indeed there couldn't have been any other brand ambassador than Messi for Tata Motors. Visit my post as well
    http://maheshsowani.blogspot.in/2015/11/stream-of-happiness.html

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  8. For me too my mom is #madeofgreat! Beautifully written!
    Tata Motors represent India. Tata is associated with reliability, performance and strength of automobiles. Similarly Lionel Messi represents football. He stands for reliabilty, performance and strength of his football team.
    http://dudekgmc.blogspot.in/ 

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  9. The story of a Legend in herself – that’s how I will describe it in a short sentence. Very well written with words and pics which enhance the simplicity yet greatness of the Lady. Salutations and very happy for you to have got inspired and bringing out your best in life.

    My answer: Tata is a name which any and every person can rely on for its honesty, commitment and perseverance. Lionel Messi is a legend who has carved his name in history books with total dedication to the game, simple living and improvisation which is seen with each game he plays. The association of Tata Motors and Lionel Messi as their Brand Ambassador will definitely give an edge to the Tata group over its competitors solely because the brand Ambassador also holds the same reputation of not letting his fans down ever, like Tata Motors who have given the best to the world over the decades. Its an exemplary association par excellence.

    You can choose my answer as the Voucher winning comment if you feel I described it all well.. :) Please remember to post it on the Indiblogger contest page.

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  10. Hi PeeVee a very refreshing blog and
    Indeed a nicely written post. I wish you good luck for the contest
    Here is my answer
    The association of Tata Motors with Lionel Messi is that of two greats. Lionel Messi has been exceptionally talented who with his hard work, determination and sacrifices has got better and tougher in his chosen sport so is the Image, reputation and quality of TATA Motors that have transformed brilliant ideas into masterpieces of engineering and created a brand and products that we are so proud of as Indians. Lionel Messi has transformed his body and the mind body co-ordination into a masterpiece of precision and excellence it would not be wrong to say that Lionel Messi is the TATA Motors of sports where as TATA Motors is the Lionel Messi of vehicles both giants in their own spheres driven by the drive to excel and lead by example. So Lionel Messi is the best choice for becoming the brand Ambassador for TATA Motors
    aaloke19@gmail.com

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  11. Your post describes #madeofgreat so well that it has winner written all over it. Good luck for your entry.
    Here is my answer.
    Like minds think and act alike looking at the track record of TATA Motors it has stood the test of time and built a business that was built using bricks of hard work on a foundation of trust. Authenticity, reliability, simplicity, as well as its commitment to innovation are the trademarks of brand TATA Motors. These same qualities are present in Lionel Messi who with his immense talent has made a mark for himself on the international football field .Facing all hardships he has worked hard toiling on the fields and in training sessions facing injuries and pressure to come out trumps and be a winner. Thus these two greats Lionel Messi and TATA Motors are made for each other .There association is a bond of two legends
    In case you pick me a winner my email id is : princess09hema@gmail.com
    Fingers crossed :)

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  12. Your mother is a true rockstar! Best wishes to her and I am sure you will be like her because afterall you have her genes! :))
    Reg the association between Tata Motors and Messi: Joseph Campbell said: A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." I feel that both these brands do and believe in more than themselves. Tata is known for its good work for the society and Messi has inspired millions across the world - hence truly an association scripted in heaven! :)

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  13. Your post defines #madeofgreat in an awesome manner.Very well written and interesting post indeed.
    My Answer
    Tata Motors is a brand that makes durable vehicles, with its MADE IN INDIA mark makes every Indian proud. It is a brand seen globally as Trusted, Reliable, Innovative and at the forefront of technology. In its journey since inception it has overcome all odds, competition, and adversities with grit and determination. These same qualities are associated with Lionel Messi who was very talented and hardworking from a very early age. With each game that he played he kept improving his skills and built a career to become one of the best player of professional football. There qualities make both TATA Motors and Lionel Messi giants who perfectly compliment each other and Lionel Messi the right and perfect Ambassador who stands for the same values that TATA Motors does.
    bhuwan198grover@gmail.com

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  14. Hi, You have written a beautiful post. A mother is the greatest teacher, a teacher of compassion, love and fearlessness. If love is sweet as a flower, then a mother is that sweet flower of love. A mother's arms are made of tenderness and children sleep soundly in them. All the best.

    Here is my entry:- https://confusedmango.wordpress.com/2015/11/13/142/

    TATA MOTORS & LIONEL MESSI are two perfect examples of greatness.
    Tata is a brand known for honesty, commitment and perseverance. They have been a part of so many charitable trust. Lionel Messi on the other hand is an exceptionally great player with his natural technique and creative skills. Facing all the hardships on their journey, both of them has emerged to a great success. The association of Tata Motors and Lionel Messi as their Brand Ambassador will definitely give an edge to the Tata group over its competitors. Also TATA will find it easier to connect with the youth as the company is focusing on more youth-centric products globally.

    They are two sides of one coin. Perfect combination for a great success.
    nazfelicia@gmail.com

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Go on, you can say it.