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Let's understand that while we celebrate, days like Mother's Day might not be a happy time for all around, especially not in the current times.
Let’s understand that while we celebrate, days like Mother’s Day might not be a happy time for all around, especially not in the current times.
Last year on the occasion of Mother’s Day, I wrote an article talking about difficult pregnancies so many women go through to become a mother. I wrote that piece on a close friend’s pregnancy journey.
Sadly with the second surge in COVID cases in India since April 2021 and the number of people we lost as a country, this particular day I choose to also remember and pray for the souls of the mothers any person, of any age may have lost.
I saw a heart breaking video few days ago of a man pleading with cops to not remove his mother’s oxygen cylinder (which was by the way being done so for on a VIP demand). He lost her within 2 hours.
One cannot even imagine the level of grief and the sense of helplessness a person would feel losing a family member, their mother – who gave them life and the deep feeling, that of a failure for not being able to save her life. The unfortunate and absolutely unfair consequence, that of a life lost and these emotions that will persist among those they left behind.
The friend whom I interviewed last year lost her father few days ago. Her young daughter, all of two years is wondering why her mother is crying all day.
A colleague in her mid-40s lost her life few days ago leaving behind a young girl on the cusp of her teenage years.
A friend’s younger sister carried her baby to full term; the baby did not make it past that day.
Her older sister gave birth to her second daughter the same month.
What we need more than ever this year, is compassion for such days that honour relationships in the family (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Siblings Day etc.) as it is hard to escape them on most platforms on social media.
Understanding that this day may not be easy for all – having lost the family member or perhaps even just not having a great relationship with them.
So often we overlook how these days remind some people perhaps of their difficult/ traumatic childhoods, teen years and even at times a toxicity in relationships within their family.
Some are blessed to have a loving family while others may have never even known their mothers and fathers.
So perhaps we need to make such days more inclusive, to include all kinds of relationships of a maternal sense on Mother’s Day.
So here’s to –
As this year has been an all too vivid a reminder of one’s survival and valuing relationships, let not this year and such days pass us by without thinking of those where this may be a hard day.
So celebrate by all means, online and offline, but let a prayer manifest in your thoughts today, as this day may also bring for some people grief, pain, hurt or just memories.
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Soul centric and free spirited all the while living life through travel and adrenaline junkie activities. Counselling Psychologist and Educator by vocation. And a life and laughter enthusiast by heart. Usually found daydreaming about her read more...
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If you want to get back to work after a break, here’s the ultimate guide to return to work programs in India from tech, finance or health sectors - for women just like you!
Last week, I was having a conversation with a friend related to personal financial planning and she shared how she had had fleeting thoughts about joining work but she was apprehensive to take the plunge. She was unaware of return to work programs available in India.
She had taken a 3-year long career break due to child care and the disconnect from the job arena that she spoke about is something several women in the same situation will relate to.
More often than not, women take a break from their careers to devote time to their kids because we still do not have a strong eco-system in place that can support new mothers, even though things are gradually changing on this front.
A married woman has to wear a sari, sindoor, mangalsutra, bangles, anklets, and so much more. What do these ornaments have to do with my love, respect, and commitment to my husband?
They: Are you married? Me: Yes They: But You don’t look like it Me: (in my Mind) Why should I?
Why is being married not enough for a woman, and she needs to look married too? I am tired of such comments in the nearly four years of being married.
I believe that anything that is forced is not right. I must have a choice. I am a living human, not a puppet. And I am not stopping anyone by not following any tradition. You are free to do whatever you like to do. But do not force others. It’s depressing.