Unseen Strength

Tears roll down without a second thought,

Lost in memories of you,

my mother!

You loved me without conditions,

Forgave me for each mistake,

Guided me with endless patience,

And Never gave up on me.

You taught me to have faith,

And showed me how to pray.

Worked two jobs, saving every rupee,

in a new place,

all was foreign to you, but you were home for us.

In your large garden

with roses, hens, and pigeons,

Guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs alongside,

you cared for us while our father was away.

Big responsibilities, with no help in sight,

How you managed, I fathom not;

Together, you and Daddy built us a home so true,

A testament of love and strength instilled.

Growing up, I thought you were super strict,

Only as a mother did I understand your reasons.

Never did you raise a hand, no matter our naughtiness or stubbornness.

Your life,

A testament of love, devoted to your siblings and special care for their families.

The theatre plays you did with the church group were amazing,

A passion uniquely yours.

Each Christmas, my friends, warmly welcomed, each one,

Even vegetarians, enjoyed the dishes specially done.

31 years battling Parkinson’s,

Each year trying a new treatment,

You always kept clinging to hope,

You were an epitome of grit and will power,

Desiring to walk unnoticed,

Never wanting outsiders to see your pain—

Only we your confiding family knew.

Now I know your suffering has ended,

Now I know you are in a better place,

Now I know you walk unaided,

Yet, I miss you—

Your calls just to check on me,

Your biryani, your unniappam when we visit home,

Your warm, loving hugs,

I miss calling you to vent without judgment,

Your tear-filled eyes when I depart—

The void you leave in my heart is vast…