The Mother of a Mom-to-be

I am a modern rebellious daughter who always argues with my mother. When she finally gives up, she puts an end to the ‘discussion’ by saying “You do not know enough to understand. I am your mother, so you listen to me. PERIOD.” So, you can imagine the concentration of tension between us. It is a love-hate long-term relationship; nature’s complicated blessing.

About two weeks ago, my mother had to make a trip to India urgently. I sensed in her a strong reluctance to leave. Generally, my parents never left us, girls, alone. Either of them had always been with us. If there was a situation in which they both had to go somewhere, then we will be India with my mother’s mother or elder sister. This time it was different. The trip to India was unavoidable and my mother was unhappy about leaving her elder daughter who is undergoing her first pregnancy.

Well it was not as if she was leaving me alone. I had my husband and siblings with me along with a maid. Also, I had cousins, relatives and friends within reaching distance. But my mother was not comfortable. She was worried.

She has always been worried. Ever since I told her I am pregnant, she has gone into a marathon of worries. And, she thinks she does a good job in hiding it. (Haha). In fact, worry is an understatement. She has become paranoid.

She watches me and tries to make out how I am doing. She observes my facial expressions, the posture of my body, my sleeping and eating habits and the way I behave to make sure I am fine. The minute I place my palm on my tummy she asks “Enna?” (‘What’ in Tamil). And, the ‘what’ is filled with so much worry.

Once I told her that my tummy or side abdomen hurts. I am not sure how she understood it. (Honestly is it difficult to differentiate tummy and abdomen in Tamil!!) She went sleepless for those nights. She called grandmother for remedy and the next two days I was drinking some herbal drink. If I was not so busy with schoolwork, she will check on me every hour. (Haha)

Yesterday, I vomited on the way to school. I wanted to call my mother immediately and tell her, but I avoided it. I knew that she will not be able to concentrate on anything until I get home. I told her after I reached home. And, she has been worried since today morning. In the last 4 hours she checked on me twice; once about the nausea and another about baby movements.

Once, I overheard her telling grandmother that she feels as if she is pregnant. She gets so stressed and worried. In fact these days, she does not say "I am your mother, so you listen to me", because she needs to make a call to India before she says anything like that. Can you believe that this woman mothered three children??? (Haha)

And that, my friends, is just a snap shot of the mother of a mom-to-be. One blog entry can neither elaborate her care and affection nor my grateful respect and love for her.

Alhamdulillah (Praises to Allah)