“Happy Teachers Day!”
We would hear this a million times and feel the echo long after her students had wished her and gone.
After I got married, there were two teachers in the house and it warmed my heart to see them exchanging greeting cards on this joyous day – Teacher’s Day.
Every year, for as long as my uncle was alive, he would send my Mom a card. I still have those in my precious memory box.
My Mom, my favorite teacher, loved being a school teacher. Her students adored her. Not surprising. She believed in always being kind and treating everyone with love. She never scolded or raised her voice. I smile to recall how she only had to look at me serenely and I would calm down. Saved me a lot of energy that I might have otherwise spent on ranting and on useless discussions.
I always marveled at how she could be so cool. When I was old enough to understand, I discovered her secret. “Think twice before you speak” was her mantra. “Especially to yourself,” she said.
She taught me positive self-talk.
Her golden advice was: Let people remember you for being nice, being positive. Not as someone who says hurtful things.
I feel so fortunate that I am her daughter.
I am filled with gratitude today. She shaped me and made me who I am. The good bits, anyway!
I miss her.
Here’s my tribute.
For My Mom…
Gratitude
Growing up in difficult circumstances was not easy, but love made all the difference, and that I received in abundance, from my Mom.
Reach for the sky, Vidya, she always said, and I did, because I trusted her implicitly
Attitude will be your best friend, so make sure it is positive and proactive, she said, and I listened
Truth usually triumphs, but don’t be impatient if it doesn’t because if nothing else, it will bring you peace, especially when you speak up, she said, and I engraved it on my brain.
Intuition will guide you, if you open your heart and listen to it, she said, and I listened to her
Take things with a pinch of salt and don’t jump to conclusions, she said, and I made it a practice, a habit.
Universe is always listening and is eager to help you achieve what you aspire for, she said, and I have learned she was right.
Dream big, you’ll be surprised what you can do when you focus on the good and work hard, she said, and I followed her advice.
Encouragement was all I needed to bloom and give the world my heart and today, I enjoy collecting smiles.
Happy Teacher’s Day to dear aunty from me….I am sure she’s watching over you as fondly as ever! I totally identify with what you are saying, my mum as I’ve mentioned earlier is a teacher too…retired but still at it as a consultant in a village school. I too wished her today. Loved the poem Vidya. Saving it!!
Thank you Kala! Please wish your Mom on my behalf! Glad you like the poem. I enjoyed writing it. Hugs!
What a lovely post and those lessons are for all of us. so important to think twice before we speak. My parents are also teachers, Mum is a school teacher so on 5th September when she gets back from school, lovely hand-made cards come along. I love to see the affection children pour.
Thank you Parul! Please wish your parents for me. I know, for teachers, today is far more important than any festival! 🙂 Hugs!
Your mom-posts are always a treat full of such simple advice. That poem needs to be saved up for recurring inspiration.
Thank you Tulika! 🙂 Hehe I enjoyed writing it.
This is such a beautiful post and a gorgeous tribute to your mum. My eldest daughter is going into her third year of a teaching degree, she has been a camp counsellor for people with special needs at a camp in America this summer, she absolutely loved it especially the children. Teachers are such special people xxx #mg
Teachers are the second important person in one’s life- they shape us for the future.However, each one has their own way. Lovely poem.
Great post, Vidya. I could proudly say I’m a Teacher. Belated Techers’ Day Wishes !!!!
Happy Teacher’s Day to you, Vasantha!
This is a beautiful tribute to your mom and these are also wise words. I’m so glad you wrote this in honour of your mom and what she believed in as a teacher and as a mom and person. Thank you for putting a smile on my face today.
Beautiful. Your mum sounds like a very wise and wonderful lady. #mg
Thank you, Emma. She was most inspiring!
What a lovely homage! Very nice.
Thank you so much, Darla!
Love the for my mom plaque. It is so cute and heartwarming. Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Enjoy your week.
Thank you Marilyn! I love #overthemoon!
This is a lovely post. Thanks for sharing it with #mg
Thank you, Helena!
This post is just so wow Vidya Ma’am! Your mother must be an angel I’m sure! And yes, what we leave behind and for what are we remembered for is what matters. We should take care of such things in life!
This post filled my heart with so much of warmth!
Cheers
oh this was so moving, it really affected me, as your words so often do. I know I do not know you personally, but I feel your warmth and generosity and I know your mum must have been so honoured to have you for her daughter. These words were beautiful an this is one of my favourite reads this week, I am truly blessed to have you in my life xx #mg
Love the bond you shared with your mom. Simply love the posts you share about her. ♥
Heartwarming!
Thank you 🙂
Wow, Vidya, it felt as if I was hearing my mom speak with me! Every thing your mother taught you is something I have heard from my mother, time and again. And, she is a teacher too! And, it fills me with gratitude to know that I am truly blessed to have a mother like her! An epitome of perfection, patience, kindness, generosity, the list goes on. We are really lucky, you know? We may have done some good in our past birth for having been blessed with such precious mothers in this birth!
Love to hear about your mum. I am sure she was a fabulous teacher. Look at how well turned out, warm and compassionate you are. What would we be without the wonderful teachers in our life?
Ah, what a mom you had! That is so lovely, and I see how proud she would be of you, passing along her knowledge and your foundation. It shows Vidya. Loud and clear, it shows. Happy teachers day to you too! M’wah! #mg
I miss her every single day, Lisa. I was so lucky that she and I were best friends. Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Mmwah!
Mi must be smiling and sending you all her blessings every single day. Her love makes you who you are – joyous, glad and a good friend. A lovely tribute, Vidya.
Thank you so much Shailaja! Hugs!
I loved the “positive self talk.” I have two teachers that I’d hold up a my best, and I’ll never forget them. Loved your post, Vidya. Thanks for the teacher tribute.
That’s such a lovely, love-filled tribute to a mother, a most favourite teacher. I loved what your Mom taught you about Truth. Very wise and yet down-to-earth practical advice for a happy, peaceful, truthful life. Thank you for writing this. Somehow it worked as a soothing balm for my mind today.
Thank you dearest Beloo! 🙂
Ah, what a mom you had! That is so lovely, and I see how proud she would be of you, passing along her knowledge and your foundation. It shows Vidya. Loud and clear, it shows. Happy teachers day to you too!