A Tribute – My Love, My Sparkle

God could not be everywhere and so he created Mothers.

There is nary a word in any language that can evoke a surge of emotions and an avalanche of love more than the one word, Mom. Although it may sound cliched, I am sure most of you will agree with me, Mom is not just a word, it is an emotion; it is a personification of selfless & all-encompassing love.

When I lost my Mom some years ago, I was wracked with crushing, unbearable pain. It was and still is without any shadow of a doubt, the most traumatic event of my life so far. The pain hit me with such ferocity that it left me numb and gasping at the same time in its wake. One of my biggest pillars had been taken away. Gloom descended on me like a shroud, and I knew that my life would never be the same ever again.

Blinded by the pain, I stumbled through the dark corridors of grief, trying to make sense of my own existence. I realised that the pain never ebbs, you just learn to live with it. To help me navigate through life and to ensure I feel her presence forever, I decided to ensure her legacy lives on. In addition to all the love she bestowed upon us, she is also the reason I am who I am today.

She instilled in me the values that help me make the right decisions even when I am confronted with the toughest of dilemmas. While I want to try and pen down what she taught me, it would be at best a fleeting glance at the vast treasure she left us during her lifetime. It would be appropriate to say that more than a ready reckoner for dealing with decision-making, she provided me with a bedrock of values to base my life on. The most beautiful part was the fact that she never preached nor forced it upon us. She showed the way and yet always left the choice to us. In no particular order, I will try and touch upon some of these guiding principles.

My mother was an embodiment of compassion and empathy. She believed in offering help wherever humanly possible. She helped without any expectation of anything in return, not even from the divine. Her act of helping others was selfless and pure. Although difficult, I have tried to walk this path as much as I can.

 She believed in respect for all life and her mantra was “at a bare minimum do no harm if you are not able to help.” My love of animals, more specifically all life, is a fallout of this.

She taught us to be inclusive and to respect every individual’s preferences, and views. I was fortunate enough to grow up under such a liberal influence decades before the world got wise to this idea. She went a step ahead and never sat in moral judgment of anybody’s choices irrespective of what they did in their personal lives. She passionately believed that we should not judge others unless we have walked a mile in their shoes. She also advised us to live life on our own terms and be comfortable with the choices we make as long as we do not harm anyone.

While she was firmly against discrimination of any kind, her pet peeve was discrimination based on gender and religion. It pains me to see that women still get discriminated against and the patriarchal mindset is quite stubborn and resistant to change. But that, I believe, is a topic for another day.

The one thing she repeatedly told me was to do the right thing. Integrity was close to her heart, and she used to say it was not only about doing the right thing when no one was watching but also to have the right intent. At times we may be tempted to find ways to ensure that we are seemingly doing the right thing; but if the intent is not right then nothing matters. Thanks to my mother, for me integrity is even more nuanced than just doing the right thing. Intent also matters. She used to say if I could look myself in the eye in a mirror without my conscience pricking me then it was probably a good sign. I have used this barometer quite effectively throughout my life.

When it came to avoiding wasting of food and other resources, she was way ahead of her time. She encouraged us to finish what was in our plates. That led to a habit of serving only what was needed. She believed in sharing if there was ever a surplus, however meagre it was. While it also blended imperceptibly with her empathy and compassion, avoiding waste was by itself a particularly important agenda for her.

She brought all these and many more beliefs and values to life by living them daily. Whenever we strayed or faced dilemmas, she told us real life stories of how she dealt with such situations. And irrespective of the choices we explored or decision we made, she was always supportive without judging, sermonising, or patronising.

I have barely scratched the surface in my attempt to paint a very brief word picture of my Mom. I know for a fact that however much I expound or wax eloquent on this topic, I would not be able to do justice to her. As much as I try to tread the path shown by her, I know that I will not be able to hold a candle to her. While I know I am woefully inadequate, I am proud to call myself her son and fortunate to have had her as my mother.

Love you Mom. Miss you so much!

60 thoughts on “A Tribute – My Love, My Sparkle

  • Amazingly written Dr. Bhavesh. You clearly made a point that your mom is the one who had a major role in making up a successful leader like you. And we too love your mom for moulding up such a fabulous person.

  • Nicely explained boss. V much true and completely agree with u…. without Mom and her following path…we r nothing…real love to all Moms…

  • I have never read before a tribute so well written and one can feel pain of missing .
    The way , pain and trauma are expressed in words have brought tears in eyes.

  • While I am a person with words galore – today, I am left speechless – amidst the current pandemonium – indeed there is nary a topic that could bring peace and calm to the wounded soul ! In a so very touchy excerpt that you have etched your mother – it leaves me goose bumps to see that selfless woman – the spark behind your journey – stand right in-front of me – as an epitome of absolute divinity itself – She shall surely be proud of you !! 🙌🏻👍🏻 May you keep spreading these words of wisdom !!

  • Beautifully written straight from the heart . I spent time living with mum and I agree she was a wonderful human being showering selfless love on everyone she met. She welcomed me into the family as a daughter never a daughter in law. She supported me and we had the best of times giggling about the silliest things.
    You will forever live in our hearts and guide us through our lives.
    Miss you mum ❤️

  • It has been quite a while that I read such a beautiful and heartwarming tribute to Mom. Kudos to you for penning down the blog and bringing alive the learnings and values in the distinguished manner.

  • Well, I have a recollection of your attachment to your mum.
    But this piece of writing takes it to another level.
    Great writing
    A homage well paid

  • So heart touching and overwhelming!!
    Very nicely and crafted emotions for Mom!!
    I belive that every mother is like that so we all are in debts.
    Thanks for sharing !

  • Amazingly penned Dr. Bhavesh. The values instilled in you are prominatly noticed and without a doubt I am now sure about its origin. You have clearly and so lovingly mentioned about your mom. Wish if many realise the importance of the existence of loved ones we have in our lives. Keep inapiring, keep writing…

  • Wow Bhavesh, beautiful description of the person some of us did not have the pleasure of meeting. I see so much of what I have read here in you as a parent. 😊

  • So beautifully written Sir..heart touching💖 You are a great writer!! 👌🏻🙏🏼

  • How beautiful!
    I am sure she is looking down on you, and beaming with pride.
    Definitely she has raised an amazing son and a wonderful human.
    Thanks for sharing it with us. 🙂

  • Beautifully penned down. Right from bottom of your heart. It truly depicts only a mother’s love is selfless and immeasurable. More love to all moms.

  • Beautifully narrated… Moms are indeed greater that the invisible almighty…

  • So beautiful and overwhelming !! I completely relate to this. I lost my Mother 15 days and I am utmostly grateful for all the advice ,support and selfless love you showed my family. Your Mother did a great job in raising you.Im so proud of you. THANK YOU for being you ❤

  • Once again you‘ve raised the bar…..wonderfully narrated straight from your heart bringing tears to my eyes. ‘Mom’ the whole hidden world within one word, thank you for sharing this most important and meaningful part of your life. And thank you for spreading her essence by being such a wonderful, kind hearted and affectionate human being.

  • I too lost my mom a year ago. It’s been very tough since then. I feel her memories, her habits, her teachings live in me now much more than they used to be. Much relatable article for me. Nicely wrote.

  • Such a beautiful and heartwarming tribute!
    Her immeasurable strength and compassion lives on in you, Sir!

  • Beautifully written for Mother who truly close to everyone! You are Amazing and Awesome gift for me as a friend, Boss. Thank you

    • Amazingly expressed your love and respect for your Mom. Moms are real gems 💎

    • Amazingly expressed your love and respect for your Mom. Moms are real gems 💎 no one can replace her love

  • You are one of the strongest people I know!
    Absolutely touched by your writing!
    She shall surely be proud of you!!
    Homage well paid🙏

  • Appreciate so much, very well written
    When I was reading I was able to correlate with my thoughts for my mother

    Indeed Mother’s are special and as rightly written by you
    Mother is not a word … Mother is emotion and much more

  • As always, beautifully written right from the heart. The first time I read your post on Mother’s Day, I could feel your overwhelming pain. It is important for us all to remember that it is okay to miss that much the one we love…that is what unconditional love is and that is what she has given you.

  • Mom the most loving and loved person in my life. A tribute to her.

  • Very well written Sir…. I could so much relate to the right intent and not only the right actions that you mentioned. Your Mom would be very proud of you. ❤️❤️

  • Speechless !!! This is the power of writing. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with you. You create long lasting memory with people u interact with ..😊

  • Never came across a livelier expression of one’s emotions on paper!! The thoughts you’ve penned down have much deeper meaning and your writing brings it out so intimately.

  • Dr. Bhavesh your words of love for your mother cannot be written and reflected better by anyone. You have made everyone reading this imagine and feel how much we owe to our maa.
    Thanks for the great message.

  • It is values indeed which define us. Children are reflections of their parents.. u idolise them.. u idealise them.. & there is a time when we even fight with them.. becoz’ we know we will always be forgiven.. each word is heart written.. A beautiful, articulate, wrought with emotion tribute to your mom.

  • Very well written. Whilst there are no words that measure the loss, the feelings from the heart reflects a truer snapshot compared to other measurements out there of the vacuum that is left behind.

    Thank you for depicting a wonderful and thoughtful message.

  • Dear Bhavesh ! You are indeed blessed to have had such an exemplary role model ! Living your life by embracing her core values is the perfect gift / tribute you can ever give her. Keep on honoring her legacy. God bless 🙏🏼 And thank you for sharing.

  • Bhavesh
    Straight from the heart comes this tribute, surely a glory that many would have peeped into and searched their own experiences and reflected on the wealth called MOTHER. Many of us through your thoughts penned have seen our own mothers Bhavesh and thankyou for taking us through this journey.
    Cheers
    Vijay

  • Bhavesh
    Straight from the heart comes this tribute, surely a glory that many would have peeped into and searched their own experiences and reflected on the wealth called MOTHER. Many of us through your thoughts penned have seen our own mothers Bhavesh and thankyou for taking us through this journey.
    Cheers
    Vijay

  • Wonderfully written straight from heart. I believe that the best way to truely appreciate someone is to follow their footsteps which you are also doing as a parent. We all should be able to strike this balance of inculcating right values through a very liberal approach. Kudos to ur writing!! Stay blessed!

  • Well written and clearly straight from the heart. I can relate to alot what you have written.

  • Its such a beautiful and heart touching tribute and is sure that it came directly from your heart.Mothers love is bliss and is peace!!!Tribute to all mothers❤

  • Heart touching tribute to mother . It’s very difficult to craft emotions about maa. Wiring following but words are missing.,but you give justice.speechless and endless feelings ——-.

  • She lives on in you…don’t forget that! You are her true legacy.

  • Once again, beautifully written, Bhavesh! It is said, ‘Mother-child relationship is 9 months more than any other relationship in the world!’ Only mothers can stir such positive emotions in any individual. I could so relate to every word in the blog. A big salute and respect to all the mothers for their endless unconditional love and teachings which make us who we are today!

  • I recall, lots of heart touching memories you shared boss about your love with your mom. Glad to see such wonderful tribute to her. I m sure she will be proud of you.

  • This is so good Dr.Bhavesh, I got tears reading through the blog…. I miss Mum every single day since I got married & I can not understand how you must be feeling. Thank you for sharing…

  • Nicely penned down Dr Bhavesh.
    There is peace, there is calmness, there is affection, there is love, there is trust , there is everything in mom’s lap.
    Her blessings are always there for her kids whether she is with them or she is far away from them.
    Your Mom also must be showering down her blessings feom the place, which may be far away but not so far that she cannot reach you in spirits. Momis just a walking miracle…

  • I can understand what you feel what you say that you aren’t doing justice to this beautiful soul despite the intricate description. You are truly blessed to have experienced and to carry forward this rich legacy!

  • Wonderfully written , straight from the heart.
    We are thankful that God made you our Mom.
    Thank you Mum for everything 🙏🙏

  • Being a firm believer of inclusion, equality, respecting other’s views must have been difficult qualities to imbibe in that era, but you are a live example of her success..
    Even prouder to know you as a person.
    well written!

  • Well written boss, straight from the heart. No one can express enough ever about what mom gives us. Yours is truly best attempt.
    Great tribute to her!
    Im sure she is there with you and still guiding you on your path, which we call life.

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