My mum

My mum has spent many years raising my brother and I, then my sister after, alone in London. She worked many hours, two jobs at some points, juggled studies for a while, moved us around London countless times, took us to many, many theme parks, museums, parks and on trips, and then dealt with all our bullshit in adolescence, shouldered the financial troubles and shortcomings and managed to maintain a marriage half way across the world. I do have a lot of respect for her, especially now that I’ve begun my journey in her footsteps as a mum.

But what she has also taught me are so many in number and priceless in value because I know that that everything I’ve learnt, achieved and dream of had all been down to her.

My love of reading, books and the inherent desire to seek knowledge is my mum’s efforts and my mum’s alone. When I was growing up, and even today, she says: “Learn, learn and learn more. Education and knowledge is power. And no one can take it away from you.”

Helping others comes naturally to some and not so much in others, and for me it’s never questioned. No matter what the situation I can never seem to walk away from a problem or a person without ransacking my brain for any last vestige of possible aid.  And my mum has taught me this in the best possible way-by leading in example. This makes me a push over to an extent, naturally, but I enjoy it. I just have to remember to put some boundaries up.

Patience is a virtue they say but my mum says that patience will get you what you want. Controversial as it may sound, the one who let’s the moment pass (in matters of emotions, money and relationships) will ultimately win because you’ll always end up with the upper hand. In anger you won’t say something you’ll regret later, in impulse you won’t spend more than you can afford and in relationships you won’t hurt the other person).

Believe in something bigger than yourself. It’ll protect you, and it’ll guide you. Call it Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, hippy talk, sustainable living, or what you will but I don’t like labels mostly because I grew up in an environment I couldn't quite label myself at the age of nine, and no one taught me the specifics, and also because I think if we wait patiently, soon the need for labels will cease to exist and we’ll all live a life most happy.

Moving forward and upward, always. This was not taught per se but observed and fully accepted. Even in times of hardship and uncertainty I realise that we’ve always strived for better things. Better jobs, better homes, better food and even better English. Knowing that you can always do better and more in life has given me courage in the face of impossible situations and heart breaking moments.

My mum: a wife, a mother, a granny, a sister, a friend, a doctor, an inspiration.