My daughter kept reminding me about wishing my mother on her 70th birthday.I seem to have a convenient sort of amnesia these days which keeps me reminded till the previous day and then when the D-day dawns , it slips out of my mind neat and clean!I usually end up cursing myself.But this time I was determined to remember to wish her.When I escorted my daughter two days before , she was incessantly chattering away on how she would plan the Birthday.
Since my mom was staying all alone at her place ,my daughter would go over to keep her company and to pass off her revision hols peacefully.So then this time she was planning on how she would wake up her grandma in the middle of the night and bring her to the dining room in all suspense and then lo and behold! the dining table would be laid out with decorations and of course, the cake!The verbal arranging went on and on till in the end I hit upon an idea!True!Why not spring a surprise on Amma's birthday?I'd reach there from my workstation,which was a good 100 kms. away,with a huge basketful of flowers and a cake....oooh! that was it!And I definitely was not going to reveal this even to my daughter,for fear of the secret being broken .
The day dawned and I was up early.Hurriedly I got dressed and drove down....keeping my fingers crossed.Amma should have just woken up,I presumed.I reached there just as she was rubbing the sleep from her eyes.She was really surprised and of course , happy to see me.After the exchanges were over,I was ready to get back.I had two meetings scheduled at the office and I was wondering if I could get back on time.
Suddenly my Mom went into her room and came back with a cover which she pressed into my hands."this is for you", she said.My daughter is the one who usually opens any covers that I receive.That has been the practice for years now.When she did open it she found a wad of currency notes !Rs.25000 in all!!My God ! I stood stunned .This was the least I had expected."What is this for,Amma?" "Oh, that is a small gift from me to you.Go and get yourself a pair of diamond earrings ....you've wanted it for long now," she nodded understandingly.
This was truly a surprise on surprise!!The one and only incident of my life where I had been bowled over and stuck for an action or speech.Usually I gave gifts and sprung surprises! I had given a penny and received a pound!I was too moved for words.I just hugged her and wished her good health and a long life over again!!A mere 'Thank you' seemed out of place here.God could not be everywhere and so He created Mothers!!
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