Just keep writing
why words matter
I rushed out the door leaving my one year old at home, my husband in charge. Mum was in hospital fighting cancer. ‘She wont live long’ Dad had told us the day before. Driving to the hospital, my mind was filled with mixed emotions. Now and then I wiped a tear and drove on. As I was parking and walking to Mum’s room I noticed her waving to me, seated in the balcony her cheerful smile lighting her face. Mum always looked beautiful though she had lost her luscious long curly hair to the dreaded disease.
Knowing it was my time to pop in she had freshened up, sported her wig and was sipping her coffee. I held on to the magazine I had brought to show Mum as I swiftly walked the corridor not wanting to waste a second of the precious time I had with my best friend.
It was good to see Mother and share my stories as a wife and mother, about the chicken curry I had made, our trip to the zoo and that little Abi was now taking his first steps and playing peek a boo! There is so much to tell Mum everyday because she listened with rapt attention and all the love in the world.
I was happy to hear her new medicines were working well and that she had slept through the night. I squeezed her hand. The hands which had been my comfort and strength on many occasions!
As we held on, I showed Mum my first ever article published in ‘Eve’s Touch’ a popular Women’s magazine. Mother was overjoyed! ‘ That’s wonderful’ she said. It was her idea that I take up writing at this time, when I had to opt out of architecture to be a full time Mum.
Soon it was time for me to leave and as I bade goodbye promising to be back the next day, Mum said ‘Keep writing’. In a few weeks mother lost her battle and passed away. There are many gems she has left me with and one of them is this bid to keep writing.
‘Yes Amma, as a mother of two, as a grandmother, I am still writing’. I recently published my first book and it is a loving tribute to my wonderful Mum.
