Well, yes, you could say "What is the big deal?! Lots of women drive!"
But, it is a big deal! I'll tell you why - My amma is 54, not an age when most Indian women will work up the enthusiasm, much less the nerve to learn driving a car and actually do drive on the chaos that passes off for roads in Bangalore. And, the other major thing is that she has never ridden anything in traffic before, if you don't count the one time she tried handling my Scooty with me sitting pillion and drove us right into a ditch! I guess the last 'vehicle' she drove/rode with any degree of comfort was a bicycle when she was a little girl.
So, I am extremely proud of my amma!
But, that is not the only reason for this post. You see, this driving a car is not just driving for her. I can see that she comes alive, she feels good that she is still capable of challenging herself and winning - it makes her feel that she has, after all, not lost her edge after her voluntary retierment from a job she loved. And she feels great that she did it inspite of Appa being very very skeptical about her being able to pull it off.
And, I guess, it means the world to me when after a safe ride to our destination and back home, she hugs me, plants a kiss on my cheek and says that she could do it because I was there by her every time she practiced driving, reminding her that she can do it and guiding her along!
Just a little joy that I could give to my Amma who does soooooooooo much for me each and every day!
6 comments:
Anu,
What a great way to start your blog off -- with a post that talks about your mother!
In this post, I can see how proud you are of your mom. Simple things that we, the men in general and our generation in particular, take for granted, are really big achievements for our mothers. You did a great job recognizing her achievement! I have no doubt she is feeling great -- the compliments our mothers yearn for the most are probably those from us the children, especially the children our age, because we think we can do anything, and treat our parents, especially mothers, as if they aren't relevant in this world anymore!
Knowing your mother -- how efficient, smart, knowledgeable and self-driven she is, I am not at all surprised that she managed to learn driving at this age. In fact, I would have been very surprised if she had given up after the initial hiccups.
Hearty congratulations to her! :)
Thank you Srikanth! :)
He he he .. I can just imagine doddamma in a F1 race car and showing the fist to the other driver for blocking her way!! Just kidding !! Way to go doddamma!! Tell her to drive fast and zip through bangalore traffic. :)
Oye,Write something else..Its collecting cobwebs!! :)
Hi Anu
I particularly loved the Amma is driving article ...Women Power and admire any "Mother " just the way you just have !!
RA-- spell it out Rheumatoid Arthritis, not everyone know about our dear Anu ...with RA she is a v strong loving and caring person!!
Loved the article of Amma is Driving...i truly admire Aunty taking this brave act on Bangalore roads!
My congratulations to u and your dear mother...
Rheumatoid Arthritis --do spell it out , not everyone knows what that is dear!!
I really like the simplicity and genuine aspect in your blogs
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