Saturday, July 22, 2006 ||
10:22 AM ||
The lovely tag by H & L set me thinking. Unlike several of my friends moms, whom I had often felt, lived to cook, going by the incredible range of delicacies that I would be served, every time I paid them a visit, my mom cooked to live. Up at about 4 o clock, when the rest of us would be peacefully snuggled up in bed, she would bustle around in the kitchen till about 8.30, when presto! my lunch box would be ready! Off to work she goes, and gets back home around 5, after a quick bath, its back to bustling again until the supper has been set. Add to it a lawyer husband on his toes most of the time and a nagging boy who would refuse to leave her alone, you have the complete picture.
Amidst this entire hullabaloo, she still managed to cook (!) and yes, shes one wonderful cook, if you ask me. Perhaps the best I have seen, in her own way. But I guess, every mom is. While I had my lunch with my colleagues, I was usually unabashed to admit that they never reached up to my mom. (They got used to my verbal tirade soon) ;) Ammas nonchalant reactions at not having been able to elicit a word of encouragement for a wonderful dish that she had managed to cook up, often surprised and amused me. At a more discernible age, I realized that my father is a man of few words, and that it would only be fair, that I acknowledge her laudable efforts. A warm hug at times, or a kiss on her cheeks would be met with a nod of her head or a brilliant smile. In-keeping with the requirements of the tag, I would list five of my favorites from Ammas menu; the most yummy Aviyal I have had in my entire life, the sweetest of Paalada paayasam, the amazingly appetizing Kappa with Uppum Puliyum, a range of luscious ice creams and anything non-vegetarian - precisely because she is a vegetarian, and put up with the mess just for us.
Thank you H & L, for this wonderful tag, that I am gonna make her read, once its done. For all these years that she has been with me, for all that she has been to me, for all that she has done for me (believe me, cooking is the last on the line!), and for being the best ever mom in the world;
Amma, I love you.
NB: I would truly love it if James, Neers, Meetme, Mindinside, Ganesh & GP took this one up! :)