Life and Times of the Fireflies: Happy Birthday Mom

When you were my age, I remember you never being able to see your life beyond the age of 40. That number hung like a noose around your neck, and you anticipated that oncoming horizon like it was the final sunset. I know that a lot of those feelings had to do with the loss of your mother...the unresolved emotions and grief. In some ways, your survival felt like a betrayal to her memory and her struggle. But here we are today, celebrating 66, and if anything, what you have accomplished in these years has been the biggest tribute to her!

They say that a mother and her child's destinies are inextricably entwined. As children, we carry their stories in our heart and continue to pass and build on the legacies they started. Perhaps it's because of that, that your birthday always conjures up memories of her - my grandmother...my Naani - and it's a reminder that you have had a great purpose to fulfil. I know that you used to think that living past the age she died made you feel like you have failed her...but I want you to know that the WAY you have lived has been the greatest celebration of her memory!! Every breath has been a testament of great strength, and with each step you have broken down the walls and chains that have bound us...you liberated us and freed us from conformity and gave us the greatest gift and platform to build our lives on. For that we are forever grateful...

Today is a celebration of a life well lived. A celebration of a strong and powerful woman. A celebration of the accumulated memories...of a mother, grandmother, wife, sister...daughter. Today we celebrate you, mom; and all that you have sacrificed for us and all that you stand for. When I look at your 66 years, much as you had looked upon your own mother's years, I can only hope to live my life as fully and courageously as you have! I can only hope that we will be suitable bearers of your legacy...

You are an amazing mother and we are forever blessed to have you with us, guiding us and showing us the way. We are even more blessed to have you as our children's grandmother...the unconditional and abundant love you show them is a true gift. I know that you plough all the grandomotherly love you wish we had but never got to taste, into our children, and that you have and always do go beyond the call of duty! For that, we are all extremely lucky, and we are exceptionally grateful to have you. On this day, we pray that we will have you in our midst for many more years Insha Allah <3