by Rameez Rasool Mir
In India, Mother’s Day 2024 falls on May 12th, as it does every year, being observed on the second Sunday of May. Similarly, countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia also celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May. It’s a special occasion to honour mothers and make the day memorable for them.
Origin: Mother’s Day traces its origins back to Anna Jarvis, an American who, after her mother’s passing, advocated for honouring mothers while they were still alive. In 1908, she organized a memorial for her mother, who was known for her peace and social work, where she distributed her favourite flowers, and carnations, to attendees. This gesture inspired the nation, and in 1914, President Wilson officially declared the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. Initially encompassing activities to pray for peace and recognize mothers’ societal contributions, Mother’s Day has evolved into a global
occasion dedicated to expressing gratitude and love for mothers.
Significance: Mother’s Day holds great significance as a day dedicated to honouring the boundless love, nurturing care, and selfless sacrifices of mothers and maternal figures. It’s a special occasion for expressing heartfelt gratitude, appreciation, and affection towards those who play pivotal roles in shaping
families, nurturing children, and fostering love and compassion. Around the world, various traditions mark Mother’s Day uniquely. In India, families gather to devote a day to their mothers, often expressing their appreciation through gestures like giving flowers, cards, or gifts. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, children commonly present handmade cards and flowers to their mothers as tokens of love.
Although the expressions of love and gratitude vary across countries, the underlying essence of Mother’s Day remains universal—an opportunity to honour, cherish, and celebrate the remarkable influence and importance of mothers in our lives.
Our Story: Courage Against Adversity In 1998, my father passed away due to an accident while he was working in the Power Development Department as a lineman. This was a very challenging time for all of us, as I have heard. We are four siblings, including me. I was only 2 years old when my father passed away, so it was very difficult for me to remember him. Everyone, our near and dear ones, was shocked and felt very sad about this incident. This tragedy shattered all the hopes of our family. My mother was only 28 years old when my father died. This was a very challenging time for my mother to handle everything. Many relatives came forward to help us, but many showed very inappropriate behavior that hurt us and made us cry. During those very tough times, my mother faced various taunts, etc.
Early Challenges: Our uncles made plans to not support our family, thinking it was very challenging to handle everything. They told my mother to check out from this house, saying, “This was your property with the presence of your husband; go where you want to go. This place is not yours; you have one day’s time to leave this home.” This was actually a well-planned scheme by our paternal relatives; they believed we had made them financially and emotionally weak, and that my mother would definitely try to find a solution in the form of a new marriage, and getting a job would Favor my uncle. However, my mother played a very positive role. She told them all, “I am not going to marry again. I have four children; these are enough for me”.
Finally, they started beating my mother and raising various allegations. My maternal uncle decided to give us proper shelter. This was a golden time for our life. We came into this environment. This home was not just a shelter for us; it was also an institution where we learned a lot and built strong connections towards education. My grandfather was a religious person. He guided us and made us into better human beings. My maternal uncle, a tailor by profession, faced various challenges during this three-year period. They became very economically weak. During these three years, my maternal uncle stood up for our case, and my mother received an appointment letter for a job in 2000.
Strength and Resilience: My mother displayed remarkable bravery, always maintaining hope even during our toughest times. Despite our struggles, she reminded us of the challenging circumstances we faced. She consistently played a crucial role in organizing our activities and emphasized the value of education, being an avid radio listener who recommended educational programs like “Dhadkan” by Hamayun Kaiser. Despite enduring poverty and hardship, we remained resilient with our mother’s unwavering support. Her guidance encouraged patience and discouraged conflict, urging us to prioritize education over unnecessary disputes with relatives or village authorities. She emphasized the transformative power of education, which enabled me to contribute articles to prominent newspapers and magazines. My mother’s influence has earned me respect and provided valuable lessons for others.
Today, I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to my mother for her remarkable accomplishments.
I’m composing this piece for mothers who ponder the future implications of dedicating their lives to orphaned children. Our mothers nurture and Mold us into compassionate individuals, which is why I’m penning this tribute to commemorate Mother’s Day and express my gratitude. In conclusion, the story of resilience, courage, and triumph over tragedy exemplified by this mother’s journey is a powerful testament to the enduring strength of maternal love. Despite facing immense challenges and adversity, she stood tall, refused to succumb to despair, and provided unwavering support to her children. Her determination, resilience and unwavering commitment to her family serve as an inspiration to us all. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let us honor and appreciate the remarkable mothers in our lives who selflessly dedicate themselves to shaping our futures with love and devotion.
The writer is a columnist, poet, and social worker.
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