Mothers’ Day: You mean the world to me ‘AMMA’

From L to R: Merly Patabendige with daughters Oshie on her left and Hansi Kottegoda on her right

Source:Daehaena – Monthly Newsletter – May 2021 – Radio 4EB Sri Lankan Group

Another year has come by where we celebrate Mother’s Day in the month of May. I truly believe that a Mother should be celebrated every day. However, does this busy life allow us to do that?
There are Mothers in this world, and then there are Sri Lankan Mothers. My mother is no different to any other
Sri Lankan Mother. She makes me second guess my choice of clothes, treats me as if I am still 5 years old, asks
me to look after my health but also, bakes me a butter cake.

My mother Merly is a very emotional lady. A running joke in the family is that we call her ‘Rukmani Devi’. Just
like the late Sri Lankan actress, she cries at absolutely everything. This is because her heart is full of kindness and love. She is strong, considerate and thoughtful. Another beautiful quality of hers is that she truly invests her time to be there for her loved ones and empathise with their situations. Her love and care for her friends and family goes above and beyond.

I am not proud of this but during testing times in life, I have hurt her feelings. However, one hug and a ‘sorry’ would melt her heart and everything is all back to normal. Her unconditional love amazes me. Amma, you are everything to us. We may not show it every day, but please know that we are nothing without your love and guidance. I will never truly understand what you have sacrificed for us, until I become a mother myself. Till then, please excuse me if I fail to understand you. I hope one day I will become a loving and a devoted mother, just like
you have been to me and my sister. Thank you for bringing us into this world. We love you more than words could ever say.
To all the strong and beautiful mothers out there, with all my heart, I wish you a very Happy Mother’s Day. Also, let us not forget the Mothers to be, Mothers who have lost their battles but are still hopeful, Aunts who love their nephews and nieces, and pet mothers. I wish them all a very Happy Mother’s Day.
Oshadie Sunilshantha Peiris Oshie works in the Real Estate Industry at Property Pursuit Paddington.
(Buyer’s agents/Property Management Services). Oshie loves to support small local businesses in the community. She is passionate about music, drama & theatre. She loves and values her family & friends and is obsessed with her dog Hugsie Peiris.