Written by: Rtr. Umayanga Kavindini

For me, my mother is the strongest, most incredible person I have ever seen in my life. No matter what age I am, I will always need you, Amma! I am truly lucky to be the one who gets to call you “Mage Amma.”

Since my Thaththa has been working abroad from my childhood, Amma did so much to take care of us, raising us, teaching us, and managing both her office work and all the household responsibilities on her own. Around 2008–2009, when Thaththa was still working abroad, he used to send birthday cards to us every year because he couldn’t be there to celebrate with us in person. Technology wasn’t that advanced back then also. I still have some of those cards. Later in my life, when I was going through my old birthday card collection, I noticed that some cards had different handwriting. That’s when I realized it was Amma’s handwriting. In the years when Thaththa couldn’t post our cards, Amma had quietly bought cards herself, written wishes in them, and gave them to us pretending they were from Thaththa, just so we wouldn’t feel his absence.

  See, that’s my Amma!! 

It was a tiring Sunday last February. I was so stressed about an exam and wasn’t aware that something had happened at home. Only after finishing the exam that evening did I find out that Amma had been in an accident the previous day and was hospitalized with minor injuries. I cried a lot after getting to know that. I got so emotional, because no one told me. They said that they didn’t want to spoil my mood since I had an exam the next morning.

But what broke me the most was realizing how I didn’t even feel anything was wrong. Everything at home felt normal. Amma had even called me at 6 o’clock that morning to wake me up for my exam, while she was still in the hospital. That’s when I truly felt it.

See, that is my Amma!!

People say my Amma is strong and tough. She’s so kind, so good. And when someone says that I remind them of my Amma, I feel so happy. Because even when I talk to her, it feels like I’m talking to my own twin, we literally carry the same attitude, the same tone. I really love my Amma, of course as you all. I want to be as strong as her one day.

Even now, if someone asks me, “Who is your best friend?” my answer will always be: Mage Amma.

With each year I grow older, I begin to see how much of herself she sacrificed, how much she gave to us. Every single day, I’m so proud of her. I’m thankful to my Amma for everything she’s given to us. If anyone sees me as a good person today, trust me, it’s because of my Amma. She made me who I am today. 

Amma,

I want you to know, I owe it all to you.

I want you to know, I love you.

I love you more than you know.

We all have a lot of love for our mothers, but sometimes, we may feel like we don’t show it enough. I feel it too that I haven’t expressed it as much as I should have. So now as the person who is writing this article, I wanted to remind you all: show that love to your Amma.

Because this is her first time living this life too. And yes, I’m also still trying to show that love.

Right now, I’m sitting on the balcony, looking up at the starry sky. There’s no noise around me, but my heart is full of thoughts, full of reasons why I am grateful for my Amma in this lifetime. It is like their love towards us children. ENDLESS. 

Let this moment be for you, to think of your Amma.

Happy Mother’s Day!