The Antenna Mamma
Bearing all the pains and passing through various tests placed in front of her, the mamma brings a cute little angel into this world. And then from each passing day the mamma goes through various tests set by the universe of bringing up the angel in the right way. And so the journey begins.
With no worries at all regardless of the time, the angel cherishes each and every moment of being a new born. And having a new born by the side the responsibility doubles up and exam standard gets tough for the mamma. So she will run, run and run hop, hop and hop around the angel to check if the angel is perfectly fine and hearty regardless of the time. Each time mamma will leave her work aside to cater to the angel’s need. And within no time mamma passes the exam and can say what the angel needs when she cries. Her time of feeding, sleeping, waking up, playing, everything gets fed into the mamma’s antenna. And as the angel grows, the mamma’s antenna grows too making life easy for the angel.
As the time flies by, the angel goes to school so as the mamma. But the angel doesn’t like going to school and study. Despite which the mamma makes her go to school and study. Slowly the good mamma becomes a bad mamma. But mamma’s antenna is also growing to cope with this attitude of angel. Mamma says, “Angel, you go to school and study, complete your homework and I will let you play daily for 2 hours,” making her understand the importance of schooling as well as playing. In the back of her mind Mamma says’ “Angel I know it is difficult for you to adjust and cope with the changing environment, but trust me I am doing what is best for you.”
The angel becomes much smarter as she approaches the teenage. But mamma was not the one to be left behind. Her antenna also grew taller. The angel ordered to the mamma, “Mamma, I want a cell phone now as all my friends have it. I want it by this weekend. Along with this, also comes a huge demand list:
- Want to celebrate my upcoming birthday in grand style with return gifts for my friends.
- Want a new pair of jeans and tops
- Want my pocket money to be increased by atleast Rs.1000
- This year I want to visit south in my summer holidays
- Lastly, need an internet connection for my pc.
Mamma gets a shock of her life by reading the demand list. She calms herself down and lets the antenna do the talking. Mamma agreed for the birthday, increase in pocket money but with condition that atleast 25% will go into savings. Of the money saved new clothes can be bought in a span of time. “Rest of the demands will be thought of later, said the mamma.” Red faced angel cursed mamma for not meeting the demands and accused her of being a monster and a bad mamma. In the back of her mind mamma says, “Angel, if you get everything easily without earning it, how will you be able to handle the pressure of life once you are an adult? God forbid but how will you face a setback in your life? These steps of mine might be harsh for now but nothing compared to the realities of life once you are an adult.”
And the angel reaches college with new set of friends, ready to enjoy the college life and willing to take her own decisions irrespective of whether it’s right or wrong for her. Angel calls mamma:
Angel: Mamma, I am going for a movie, will be late for dinner.
Mamma: Where? Which movie? With whom? Do I have your friends contact no with me in case of emergency?
Angel: Err, Mamma please, (with irritation and hesitation on her face) don’t worry about me. I am a grown up now. We will talk at home now. Bye.
Mamma in the back of her head saying, “Dear Angel, I know you are a grown up now but am still your mamma. I do respect your privacy but you also need to understand that mamma just cares for you and want your well being. Mamma doesn’t want you to be in any trouble. Mamma wants that before taking any decision just ask me, inform me properly and clear all my doubts. Afterall Mamma is a synonym to feed, care, nurture and to protect you.”
Though the children will one day become an adult capable of doing things on their own but mamma’s antenna will never stop. It will grow, understand and keep a watchful eye on you. As it is aptly said, “To be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today.”
Hetal Kachalia is a preschool teacher in the morning and a dotting home maker by the evening. She blogs at http://ponderingtwo.blogspot.in
