She is nearly seventy. She had a stroke and is bed ridden for last three weeks. She looks around and tries to recognize the room. Her brain is working but she tends to forget little things like where is she, what time of day it is and why is she unable to sit up by herself.
She has had a life full of struggle. She has been a strong nerved woman. Her father died when she was doing her undergrad. She earned B.Ed and taught English in a Federal Government School and supported her family with other brothers n sisters too. She loved her work and was so professionally committed that once when she was sick her sister offered to mark examination papers for her; she replied "mujh se haram nahi khaya jata" (I cannot earn illegal money). She has been a woman of strong values and will.
She got married into a traditional family. Leaving her work for her home was her own decision that she made keeping in view family traditions of in-laws. She had three kids - two sons and a daughter (i.e.me). She gave almost twenty years to her home and kids with such devotion that people gave examples of her household, upbringing of her kids and fabulous skills of managing a home in affluent as well as poor conditions. She was known for her marvelous cooking skills, her remarkable taste in literature, and above all her human friendly nature. All my friends became her friends as soon as they met her. Females of the family looked up at her as a symbol of strength and dignity. Men around her respected her for her graceful personality. My paternal uncles used to call her "bhabhi" in such a loving tone as if they were talking to their own elder sister/mother.
She joined a semi-government school in Rawalpindi to teach once again, only when me the youngest child had finished secondary school. She worked like a workaholic. She was still managing home and never letting her personal and professional life get into conflict. She was known at school as a strict but loving teacher. We know her as a strict but loving mother. I have no idea how she has had such balanced approach developed.It was her who taught me how to be a woman of values and will. She transferred the best possible knowledge and values but she also kept telling me not to let anyone be a dictator in my life. She kept teaching me the best lessons of life. She groomed her kids in a way that all of us become strong but sensitive enough. She helped us face the world with confidence and courage. She clearly showed us the thresholds of negative and positive behaviors.
Today she is bed ridden. She cannot sit up, or mover herself. Whenever someone asks her how she is she says "Shukar Alhamdolillah" (Thanks to Almighty Allah). I ask her twice or thrice a day if she thinks we are taking good care of her. She keeps telling us we are doing fine. She keeps telling us that her sickness is a test for all of us and she keeps mentioning how good she is feeling seeing her children around, taking care of her. I know life has been hard, I know she has gone through many tough times, but this is the hardest time I think. I wish and pray that she may recover as soon as possible. I know she is a woman of values and will. I know she will fight back her sickness. InshaAllah
She has had a life full of struggle. She has been a strong nerved woman. Her father died when she was doing her undergrad. She earned B.Ed and taught English in a Federal Government School and supported her family with other brothers n sisters too. She loved her work and was so professionally committed that once when she was sick her sister offered to mark examination papers for her; she replied "mujh se haram nahi khaya jata" (I cannot earn illegal money). She has been a woman of strong values and will.
She got married into a traditional family. Leaving her work for her home was her own decision that she made keeping in view family traditions of in-laws. She had three kids - two sons and a daughter (i.e.me). She gave almost twenty years to her home and kids with such devotion that people gave examples of her household, upbringing of her kids and fabulous skills of managing a home in affluent as well as poor conditions. She was known for her marvelous cooking skills, her remarkable taste in literature, and above all her human friendly nature. All my friends became her friends as soon as they met her. Females of the family looked up at her as a symbol of strength and dignity. Men around her respected her for her graceful personality. My paternal uncles used to call her "bhabhi" in such a loving tone as if they were talking to their own elder sister/mother.
She joined a semi-government school in Rawalpindi to teach once again, only when me the youngest child had finished secondary school. She worked like a workaholic. She was still managing home and never letting her personal and professional life get into conflict. She was known at school as a strict but loving teacher. We know her as a strict but loving mother. I have no idea how she has had such balanced approach developed.It was her who taught me how to be a woman of values and will. She transferred the best possible knowledge and values but she also kept telling me not to let anyone be a dictator in my life. She kept teaching me the best lessons of life. She groomed her kids in a way that all of us become strong but sensitive enough. She helped us face the world with confidence and courage. She clearly showed us the thresholds of negative and positive behaviors.
Today she is bed ridden. She cannot sit up, or mover herself. Whenever someone asks her how she is she says "Shukar Alhamdolillah" (Thanks to Almighty Allah). I ask her twice or thrice a day if she thinks we are taking good care of her. She keeps telling us we are doing fine. She keeps telling us that her sickness is a test for all of us and she keeps mentioning how good she is feeling seeing her children around, taking care of her. I know life has been hard, I know she has gone through many tough times, but this is the hardest time I think. I wish and pray that she may recover as soon as possible. I know she is a woman of values and will. I know she will fight back her sickness. InshaAllah
