Inner Strength

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Today (11/21/15) is Maa's three month death anniversary. 

"Love always triumphs over what we call death. That’s why there is no need to grieve for our loved ones, because they continue to be loved and remain by our side”

I would like to talk about one important thing; Inner strength.  When I reflect back, it is amazing that she had such a deep inner strength. 

Maa got married at the age of 14 to a big family. She had to cook for 30-40 people everyday. She told me that most of the days, by the time she ate (almost the last), not much was left. She used to fry some "Badi" and eat it. I always wondered why Maa likes to eat some "Bhaja" everyday .. a little bit of "Badi Bhaja" is required .. I see the connection now. I was born after 7 years of marriage ( Thanks God in one way) but also she had to deal with no kid taboo during that time.  My father was not with her during that time as he was finishing his Ph.D/working in Cuttack. She really had to go through first 10 years of marriage on her own .. hard to fathom. During that time, she got the strength from my uncle (Saroj) and Saan Aai (grand aunt) as they were of similar age (+/- few years).

Once Maa joined Bapa in Cuttack (1968),  she was happy but life was hard (financially) but she fondly remembers that it was one of her best times ... For the first time she was independent with kids and husband at her side.

(Not writing a Biography of Maa here)

Over the years, Maa faced many challenges at home .. kids, money, family coming and staying for months at Burla for hospital visits. Bapa was always busy in his lab until late night. She only had few sarees  ...  but I have never seen her complaining and I have never seen her get mad. When things gets tough, she will become quiet and shed some tears (I have seen)  but always enough strength to move forward. I remember once she broke down looking at all the utensils to clean .. no maid and dozen family members staying in our house.  (I helped her clean it  -- May be that's where I got my training ... ).  Lots of challenges in her life but she was always smiling ...    An uneducated village girl ... gave us the most important education of love and strength. She was an epitome of amazing inner strength!!



TO ALL THE SIX WOMEN WHO HAVE SHAPED MY LIFE  AT DIFFERENT POINTS IN TIME WITH AMAZING INNER STRENGTH. They represent the strengths of Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Friend, Wife and finally Daughter. 

Without your strength ... life could have been much different!

Thank You! 



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