MY PRIZED POSSESSION by Vinaya Seshan

MY PRIZED POSSESSION

Everybody has a preferred gift: toys, games, chocolates, bags and what not. Furthermore, every gift has the following: firmitas (strength), utilitas (a use/ purpose) and venustas (beauty); without these a gift is not a gift. I received my favorite present the second I was born. The peaceful, purple ribbon perfectly tied in a bow held my most valuable treasure together: MY MOTHER- limited edition, exclusive and highly flammable. Terms & conditions apply!!!

Mother’s physical strength is the least to worry about as it’s the strength in character which matters the most (at least for me).

Opening the gift started with exploring her sensitivity to others. Not just me but anybody who is emotionally troubled. This makes her a role model of a kind. Moreover, when I have conversations with her about my friends and myself, she speaks to me as if she is 13 years old. This shows how my mother can adapt to one’s way of understanding.

Likewise, mother teaches me life lessons with small yet affective stories or incidents leaving a scar of hope through every step of my life. An example of this is how she reacted because of my flippant attitude towards music. She said, “You have the instrument and the amazing talent and yet aren’t making use of them.” Amma also added her struggle of taking up music when she was a kid..

This made me realize not only the hard work she has put into my life but how I must take advantage of the opportunities I get; I must set goals in life to do the best I can do and finish what I started.

A gift always has a purpose but a mother is a gift who guides you and is always there for you. The special part is how you do the same to her…

Despite saying this, not that I must mention, she is useful in so many ways which include: making milk, making food, sharing feelings, being the most comfortable pillow and much more. Every night after dinner, Amma lets me rest on her tummy, which I use as a pillow to watch TV! Not to mention, the love and happiness she spreads is always comforting. Although, terms and conditions apply!

The beauty of a gift is what gets the receiver to like it. In other words the first impression depends on how appealing or attractive the present looks. A friend of mine once said, “Everybody is beautiful in their own way.” I realized this as soon as my mother entered my life. Amma may not be slim and attractive like Aishwarya Rai but certainly is perfect at heart. As I write this, she probably is so conscious about her looks but doesn’t know that she’s amazing just the way she is! Maa consciously asks looking at a mirror, “Have I lost weight?” but laughs after a long meaningless pause.

My mother’s smile is contagious her voice is something that when I hear brings me calmness and comfort. A heart so pure I have never seen….

To sum it all up, my mother is gifted (pun intended) in a very abstract way. However, one question hit me after I wrote this…..

IF MY MOTHER IS THE BEST GIFT I HAVE EVER GOTTEN, WHY DO I NEED ANY MORE GIFTS???