INSPIRATION____________________________________________________________________
Special Advice For Mothers
By Naadira Chhipa
T oday as I was walking out of a 'home'
for the elderly, I was stopped by an 85-
year-old beautiful lady. She invited me
and my three-year-old into a little garden.
As I sat on a bench, she asked me to
listen to her carefully, little did I know I
was about to receive priceless advice.
Looking straight into my eyes and in a
hushed voice she said: “When I look into
your eyes, I see that sparkle, the sparkle
of love and admiration for your little boy.
I know that look very well. I also had the
same sparkle in my eyes a few years ago
when I was surrounded by my children
and grandchildren. Now my eyes are
dead as I have not seen them in over
three years. My child, I do not know you,
I do not know the story of your life, but I
know that you are a mother and listen
carefully to what I am going to tell you
from one mother to another. Don't ever
sacrifice your life for your children.
“Don't put your dreams and happiness
on hold while you become busy raising
this boy. Don't neglect your relationship
with your husband and with yourself
while you are busy chasing after your
children. Enjoy your life, make time for
yourself and whatever you like to do, do
it. Be happy and make lots of memories,”
she told me. Tears well up in her tired
and wrinkled eyes. She went on to say, “I
sacrificed my life for my children and
look at me now. I am alone and all I have
are memories, which sometimes abandon
me also.”
This was the sincere advice of an amazing
woman, mother, granny and now my friend. I
cried with her and as I hugged her tiny frame,
I could feel the pain, the disappointment and
hurt in her heart. The heart of an abandoned
mother. May Allah give all mothers the
comfort of being surrounded by her children
and grandchildren. May no mother ever feel
abandoned or alone. May Allah purify and fill
the hearts of children with love and mercy for
their parents always. May the sparkle in the
eyes of every mother remain illuminated until
she closes them forever and may children
never forget to make dua for their parents
even after they leave this world. Ameen.