A few years back, on the second Sunday in the month of May, I announced to my son and husband, “It's Mother's Day. Please wish me!”

Both my men were stoned and wondered what was I saying! Suddenly they were awakened to Mother's Day; they did not even have the faintest idea that such a day existed. I made them both understand the western concept. They cutely agreed to celebrate me! Arjun, my son, made me a card and got me a basket full of my favorite jasmine flowers plucked from the garden. Also, dinner that night was at our favorite restaurant.

After that year, well before Mother's Day approached my family made plans for celebration. We happily included all the women in the family also in the celebrations. Year after year this became an occasion that everybody in the family look forward to.

Last week I teasingly asked Arjun, who is studying overseas - “Mother's Day is coming. Where is my gift?” I could feel the smile in his voice as he asked, “What do you want me to get for you Mom?” We both laughed and relived happy memories and ended the call with happy tears.