As I walked into the shower on the day before Mother’s Day, I was excited to hold my usual weekly call, and the topic was Mother’s Day with members of my Café of Joy WhatsApp group. I reflected on what the word mother means to me and felt a rush of emotion, so strong.
I recognized it as the intense grief of losing the most beautiful of spirits I’ve had the privilege to call my mother.
My mind recited the familiar line: Matha, Pitha, Guru, Deivam — Mother, Father, Teacher, God— in that order of reverence. A profound eastern philosophy, where the first and highest respect is given to the mother, who leads a child into this world and is their first teacher and nurturer—the one who introduces us to life, love, and values.
My mother was the epitome of beauty, selfless love, courage, abundance, and purity of spirit.
She taught me to live with purpose, to honour my word, to give generously, and to stand by my principles even when it’s hard. These are the values that continue to guide me today, especially in my work.
To me, she embodied the divine philosophies of the three goddesses: Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati—the goddesses of strength, abundance, and creativity.
So many stories of her flash through my mind, but here is one that always reminds me of her selfless love.
I was in my mid-to-late teens when an opportunity came to trek in the Himalayas with an organization. As my siblings and I prepared to head out, I glanced back and saw my mother at the window, watching us. I remember that feeling of sadness, knowing her fears and leaving her to face them alone.
You see, she was a single mother at the time, and we lived in a big two-story home with large trees in the backyard and an open space in the front. As courageous as she was on matters of principle, she had a deep fear of being alone in that large house. So, she closed off all the upstairs bedrooms and created a little rest area near the front door, overlooking the yard. That’s where she stayed for nearly two weeks—managing her intense fears quietly, never once asking us to stay back or calling anyone to support her.
She just let us fly, not just that once, but oh so many times!
It might sound simple now, but life was different back then. She fought to ensure we had a global education in language, in sports, and literature. She taught us philosophy and positivity. And when she passed nearly 20 years ago, I coped by leaning into her teachings, where her unique strength became my compass, her voice a whisper in moments of doubt.
I am beyond grateful. She was my everything… until her passing.
And today, I miss her more than ever, knowing how much she would have reveled in my growth as a life coach. In fact, it is her unwavering belief in human potential instilled in us through her example that helped shape my path as a coach.
And in every flight I take today, I carry the wind of her love beneath my wings.
