My mother's sacrifice: 'She didn't leave my side'

With Mother's Day coming up on May 9, we invited readers to share special stories of sacrifices their mothers have made for them. Here are two responses:

First up we have this narration sent in by Nalini Jagnat Kudalkar from Mumbai:

Being the only child of my parents, I was most pampered. My mother doted on me like any other mother, but I was always very special to her.Whatever I wanted was mine, till my dad intervened to a certain extent! The reason behind this special fondness is still not known to me.

As I clearly remember, at the age of 18 I fell sick and was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. I was about to be and admitted to hospital immediately when word came from Mangalore that my uncle, my mother's elder brother had expired.

Despite this being the last funeral in her family, my mother did not go for it; instead, she sent my father. I did not understand the seriousness of the situation then and did not say anything to her at the time. But once I recovered fully, I casually asked Mamma one day why she didn't go for the funeral and after rites and leave my father with me instead. She just put her arm around me and said, "My child, my brothers, sisters and myself have spent our lives' good and bad times together. Now that this was the last funeral, I should have gone, but who was there to look after you here in this hospitalised state? I have lost them and now I do not want to lose you, Naloo (my childhood name)."

For a mother, her child comes first; then come the rest. Tears welled in my eyes that day and whenever I recall this incident, especially since neighbours, relatives and friends have turned their backs on me. My mothers little words of little wisdom stand by me rock-solid. I miss her a lot in life.

Share unforgettable memories of your mom with us. Tell us a special story -- a memory that is very dear to your heart because of something unforgettable that she did for you, in the way that mothers often do. That one incident that reaffirmed your belief in your parent's ultimate sacrifice. And if you can, do send in a photograph of you and your mom to publish alongside.

Simply write in to getahead@rediff.co.in (subject line: 'My mother's sacrifice'), because we'll be publishing the best entries right here on rediff.com

And here is Tania Dasgupta's account:

I am the second child born to my parents. Seven years after my elder sister was born, my parents decided to usher me into this beautiful world -- they are the greatest and have provided me with every comfort in life that I could have wished for.

My dad was working in the North East and my parents and elder sister were settled there for seven long years. My mom had all the comforts that she could wish for -- servants at her beck and call, cars with chauffeurs to drive her around the city, the best shops to offer her the best of things at the best prices, friends to share joys and sorrows with and to top it all, of course, a loving husband and an immense sense of security.

When I was conceived, my mom decided to shift base to the more vibrant city of Kolkata (then Calcutta). For her, Kolkata provided more opportunities in terms of education for her children, thereby paving the way to a better life for them. Since my dad was at a good post then, it was not prudent for him to leave his job and shift base to Kolkata along with my mom. So she took the decision of shifting alone to Kolkata with my sister. She was very young then and I am sure the decision of living away from her husband was a tough one. But the prospect of having her children get a better education was a strong enough motive for her to take it.

And so a few months before I was born, she shifted lock stock and barrel to Kolkata with my sister. She did have the help of her brothers and sisters at that time. Then began the long journey of life for her -- to raise two children alone in a big city with no connections, while my dad worked far away day and night to earn a good living for his family back in Kolkata. We all used to wait eagerly for the monthly visits from him and he never disappointed us.

It took me a number of years, a marriage and a kid to understand the gravity of the sacrifice that my mom had made so many years back for her children. She had spent the main part of her youthful marriage life away from the security of a husband just so that her children could get better opportunities in life. Today, I am at the same age as my mom was when she moved to Kolkata -- I am not sure if I have the strength to take such a decision if a similar situation arises.

Today, whatever I am is because of my mom and although I may not say this often to her, there is no one way in which I can express my gratitudefor everything that she has done for me. I only hope that I have not disappointed her in any way ever and have been able to do justice to the greatest sacrifice that she made for me.