Magical Motherhood

I recall a particular mother. She stood out not because she was expensively turned out. Her attire was ‘different’. Her kind face was worn and lined. She wore no makeup nor accessories. She had nothing to flaunt. Her clothes were clean and simple. She carried a reed marketing bag (the ones with the large pink/red flowers with a spot of green) on her arm, instead of the usual handbag. In a flowing floral skirt and pastel coloured blouse, she stood quietly under the shade of a tree alone with her thoughts. Simplicity became her. A smile began at the corner of her sparkling eyes which lit up her tired face each time someone looked her way. She didn’t mingle because no one thought of asking her to do so. On that first day of school, she was mistaken for a child’s caregiver/maid. It was a long wait. 

Words - Shanthi Wijesinghe

The eager and anxious young mothers looked out for their child at the close of the morning. The little ones tumbled out of their classrooms and more curiosity built up around the lady. Alittle one shrieked excitedly “mamaaaaaa! 
I missed you mamaaaaa!!!” and ran to the ‘maid’. Silence enveloped the scene.I watched as they walked out of the gates hand in hand, the little one chirping and chattering possibly about the day. I saw her nodding and smiling and even laughing out a little. They hopped a bus home. Later, as we acquainted ourselves I came to know her as a dedicated mum of four…the oldest was 13 and this bundle of joy was her youngest. She worked as a caregiver to an elderly patient and was off work for an hour every day.   

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