Dear Mom,

It's my first time celebrating Mothers' Day away from home, away from you. And let me tell you, it doesn't feel right. When we used to be together during the celebrations, I never got you any special gifts, never expressed my gratitude rightfully. Heck, I haven't even thanked you properly, personally for everything.

Remember that time when you had said, "A mother's love is vast and you can't understand that until you yourself become one."I might not have understood it yet, but whenever I am away from you, I have started observing it. Whenever I see a mother and a child, I automatically see us in their place. The way she carries her child, lets the child fall asleep in her lap, feeds but makes sure that the baby's clothes don't get ruined…… You did all those for me yet I never realized how all those acts carried colossal amount of love……. & then I see all those kids who quarrel with their mothers. I was as troublesome as they, wasn't I? God knows, how you handled me & managed to raise me without even raising your hand once.

Thank you Mom; for never complaining about the swollen legs & extra weight gain when I was growing inside you. Thank you for being happy even when I kicked you. Thank you for going through all the morning sickness, nausea, hair loss and a whole nine months full of discomfort. Thank you for giving birth to me and loving me since then. Thank you for all those sleepless nights you had to spend; when I was crying and screaming over nothing. Thank you for teaching me how to speak, walk and read. Thank you for explaining the intricacies and myths of this big, mysterious world in language simple enough for my curious yet delicate mind to understand.

Thank you for all the ceremonies and programs you missed to prevent my discomfort. Thank you for all the hospital visits you underwent for me. Thank you for every time you cooked egg for me, even though you were a vegetarian. Thank you for every time you let me watch my favorite programs. Thank you for every time you prepared tiffin for me. Thank you for all the time you tried to get me ready for school. Thank you for all the birthday cakes, candles, wishes and lovely meaningful gifts.

Thank you for all those times you did not shove decisions into my hands. Thank you for allowing me the dignity of my choice. Thank you for respecting my decisions and standing by them. Thank you for encouraging me every time I went down. Thank you for giving me enough freedom. Thank you for giving me wings to fly, rather than keep me chained. Thank you for teaching me to stand for what is right.

Thank you for every instance you supported me. Thank you for never giving up on me; even though I have managed to disappoint you time and again. Thank you for supporting me when no one else did. Thank you for sticking with me through thick and thin. Thank you for accepting me for who I really am and not forcing your opinions on me. Thank you for guiding me. Thank you for respecting my beliefs and opinions. Thank you for not filling up my mind with preconceived stereotypes. Thank you for every success, every moment of happiness, and every comfort you sacrificed for me. Thank you for always loving me selflessly, without any boundaries, beyond any comprehension. Thank you for encouraging me to dream and for comforting me when they always did not come true. Thank you for teaching me how to love. Thank you for always being there for me as a friend, a critic, an adviser, a nurse, an emotional support, a source of inspiration and the best mother. Thank you for being my idol.

I love you mother. You are the source of my inspiration. You are my idol, my hero, and my true north. All my achievements, everything I have managed to become now, I owe to you. Without your love, support & guidance, nothing would have been possible. Here is to the best mother anyone could ever wish for in the whole world. Happy Mothers' Day, Aama