MOTHER’S DAY? What Mother’s Day? Oh, I think it falls in May. Well, I’m not too sure about the date - maybe it is on the 8^th or 10^th. Anyway, it is okay. We’ll find out about it from someone and wish mom then.”

Now, would you ever say anything like this if it was your best friend’s birthday or better, your first anniversary (i.e, the day you met your boyfriend). Obviously not. Your life revolves around your friends – so much so, no matter how busy you are, if your best pal wants your company for her shopping, you leave everything aside and make sure you are with her, right there, to help her choose the right clothes and give expert advice – whether the piece of clothing makes her look fatter or slimmer.

When you return home after a gruelling session of a never-ending class, snacks and a refreshing beverage are waiting for you, courtesy your mom. When mom sits by your side to make sure you’re relishing it and asks you how the day went, you focus on gobbling up all that’s dished out to you. You do not acknowledge the enormous effort that must have gone into preparing it; you don’t even utter a word of appreciation or a simple ‘thank you’. You rush to your bedroom, grumbling, “Oh the day was tiring, mom; I need some rest”. But you are not tired to boot your computer, connect to the internet and talk to the whole world through Facebook for hours together. The moment you get a call from your bunch of buddies, you are up and ready to go for a movie only to return home late in the night.

Even then, your mom hopes you have a nice time out and prays that you return home safe and sound. She makes sure you have enough money to spend on all the junk food even though she takes great pains to make the most nutritious meal for you. When you reach home late because your friends insisted on a round of dessert, she is wide awake, waiting for your return and makes sure your dad doesn’t get to know you returned late. But good old you, you have no time to say good night or thanks, all the same. You are back to your room, glued as usual to your computer or your mobile, all excited, to describe to your best friend what an amazing time you had or how the date went.

When you’re heartbroken or upset, she tries to make you feel better by asking you to share your grief with her. But pat comes your reply: “mom you won’t understand”.

Do you realise that while you were learning to speak, mom understood everything you tried to convey? Then why wouldn’t she understand now? Mom can be your best friend and the biggest pillar of strength. Try it for once. This Mother’s Day, (May 10, 2009), book a table at her favourite restaurant, have lunch with her and go on a shopping spree with her. Talk, laugh, share and have fun. At the end of the day, give her a big hug and say ‘thank you’. She will be the happiest woman on earth. Or should I say, ‘the happiest mother on earth?’