I used to go to my Nani's (maternal grandmother) once an year, my mum would be ecstatic to go there, she used to say that atleast for a couple of days now she can take a leave from mommy duty, Nani will take care of me. Nani used to get excited for our visit, she'll have our beds ready and my favourite dishes cooked even before we arrived, fridge Will definitely have the ice cream and soft drinks i loved. She will get up early in the morning take care of all the chores will cook delicious traditional food and run after me to feed me, my mum will wake up late then lazily move to the varanda and sit in sun shade, will talk with my nanu (maternal grandfather), my Nani will try her best to provide the comfort to my mum.
Unfortunately I lost my Nani few years back to a long illness, post that my trips to Nani's place reduced and my mum's increased, nanu refrained from leaving the house so my mum and her siblings started going there more often to help nanu with everything. My mum goes to the same very house, but now she makes sure to pack groceries, she goes there, she cleans the house, cooks fresh for the nanu and makes a point of cooking enough so that he has the leftovers to eat for upcoming days as well. She never said but i know that feeling of going there for a break to get away from here daily duties have been diminished with time.
This makes me wonder when this feeling ended for my Nani, when did she stopped being a daughter and completely surrendered to her motherly duties, when was the last when before she got sick someone made breakfast for her and asked her to eat it while it is hot.
When did this transformation from being someone's daughter to someone's mother happen? It happens gradually, but did anyone prepare us for this? How do I know that this time when i leave my home I'll be returning back as a daughter only?
