Yes, really!
My mum, my biological mother, will always be my idol. A woman I respect to the utmost, someone I aspire to be like, but over the years there have been others that have given me the love of a mother for various reasons, and I want to celebrate them also.
The first ‘other’ mother I have to mention is, of course my Mother-In-Law (MIL). Now, contrary to popular belief, my MIL and I have an amazing relationship. I am so lucky to have her as my MIL. She is a lovely lady, and has been a huge support to us, and me, as a woman, first and foremost. She knows what its like to leave your home, and all you know, to live in another totally alien family. I am 3 hours away from mine, she is a 10 hour plane ride away from hers! She has taught me the ropes of being a daughter-in-law in my new family, helped me hugely with my journey to become mum, and when I finally was one! She looks after the kids for us, still cooks us meals, and nothing is too much for her… but the biggest thing, she gave me the love of a mum, when my own was far away. She treated me like the daughter she never had, and for that I will always be grateful. Love you MIL mum! ❤
The second ‘other’ mother who is so important in my life is one of my aunts. I have to say here that all of my aunts are pretty special to me, they have all loved me, and treated me like a daughter, but this one I hold a special candle for… She has been in my life for many years, married my uncle. They were unfortunately not blessed with a child of their own, despite many attempts to become parents. Still, she had a smile on her face all the time, and through many important periods of my life she has been there, supportive, as a mother would be, and I have always wanted to give her the love and respect a mum deserves, as she would have made such an amazing mother. In fact, even though she couldn’t biologically do it, she has been ‘mum’ to many, helping her own other nieces and nephews to settle down in new countries, and new lives, and their children call her grandma, as they would to a ‘real’ grandma. She is not well nowadays, fighting diabetes and epilepsy, and constantly giving us a scare, but she does it all with this most precious smile. Last year she was ill, in hospital, and it was touch and go. In fact my parents rushed overseas to be by her bedside, and I was on standby to go, if things took a turn for the worse… but she slowly turned a corner, and fought, and Pops would send me pictures of her in hospital, wearing the God – awful gowns, and hats, but with the biggest smile ever! I love that smile, what I wouldn’t do to see it regularly. Love you Mamiji mum! ❤
The third ‘other’ mother I have is not someone in my family, or even from our community or religion. She is my ‘Ammi’, my best friend’s mum. The day we became best buds, our families became extensions of each others. My mum is called ‘mum’ by her, and her mum ‘ammi’ by me out of respect, and love. See, a Sikh and Muslim family can have such a bond. Ammi is such a wonderful person, funny, caring, loving. I don’t get to see her often nowadays, but she is still someone, who, when she knows her daughter is seeing me, will make up my favourite dish of hers, and send it in a Tupperware pot, like any mum would do, and who would lament with me over the phone about my bezzie not getting married, and where she would find a suitable boy! (she did folks, and he is lovely!) s looks at my children as another set of grand children, and loves to see her ‘other’ son-in-law (Hubby Dearest), when he deems it right to pay a visit too! Love you Ammi mum! ❤
So you see, Mothers are not just those who give birth to you, but those that nurture you, and help you become the person you are. There are many such women out there who take the place of a ‘real’ mother for various reasons, be it as a step parent, a foster mum, an adoptive parent, or, like I have, those who you feel in your heart, deserve the love and respect a mother naturally should garner. My Mum will always be my mum, and she has taught me that my heart is big enough to have this type of love for many. She knows she is the most important lade in my life, but I believe she would be proud to know that I recognise these other women, the way I do above.
❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
Another set of thoughts pre Mother's Day.
But I Smile Anyway... 
Apr 30, 2018 @ 16:44:43
Beautiful post ! looking forward for more on this topic ! keep up your good work.I have written something similar.Feel free to have a look at it.
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Apr 30, 2018 @ 16:55:44
Thanks 😊
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Mar 22, 2018 @ 13:01:51
So wonderful how you honored your MIL and other special women in your life!! ❤️💮💗
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Mar 22, 2018 @ 15:54:54
They are just as important!! ❤
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Mar 14, 2018 @ 16:36:47
Wonderful❤ I’m jealous! You are so lucky to have so many wonderful ‘mothers’😍
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Mar 14, 2018 @ 19:07:13
I feel blessed Luccia! ❤
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Mar 13, 2018 @ 04:19:16
Ritu. Such a beautiful post. And I have to congratulate you for not only having such relationships but also for pausing to acknowledge them. Made me stop to think about mine as well. 🙂
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Mar 13, 2018 @ 06:59:22
Thank you Radhika. A mother is only one, but there can be so many mother-like figures in our life… I feel like one to 30-40 kids every day as a teacher too!
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Mar 11, 2018 @ 19:00:15
Beautiful!😍
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Mar 11, 2018 @ 18:14:53
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Mar 11, 2018 @ 18:12:31
MIL always had been Major Indian Languages throughout my school days🙂
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Mar 11, 2018 @ 18:14:56
Ha Ha! Mum in law for Me!
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Mar 13, 2018 @ 04:22:10
Haha. MIL – Major Indian languages !! . That’s a new angle !! I like it. 🙂
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Mar 13, 2018 @ 18:30:35
Well, that’s what our high school curriculum and examination papers used to say.
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Mar 14, 2018 @ 08:08:41
That’s true now that I think back!! At that time Mother-in-laws were a distant thought!! 😉
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Mar 11, 2018 @ 12:34:49
That is so nice, Ritu! ❤️
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Mar 11, 2018 @ 15:43:50
They are special women Jennie 💜
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Mar 11, 2018 @ 12:17:01
A touching tribute to people who matter to you
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Mar 11, 2018 @ 12:18:49
Thank you. They are most important to me xx
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Mar 11, 2018 @ 04:17:50
What a wonderful tribute to the women who shower motherly love on you Ritu! You are so lucky to be loved by your mom-in law equally! You must be a nice and kind person worthy of so much love. Stay blessed dear friend.
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Mar 11, 2018 @ 06:48:45
Thank you Balroop. I am blessed and thank Him daily for all he has showered upon me. Wouldn’t be me without all these loving influences around me 💜
Happy Mothers Day 😊
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Mar 11, 2018 @ 04:11:31
It would’ve been a beautiful thing if every family could have that aunt/mom, that mom who is not a mom, but just as special. I also have a couple of other mothers in my life. Love and appreciate them all.
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Mar 11, 2018 @ 06:47:17
They are all so important 💜
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Mar 05, 2016 @ 21:41:51
this is such a lovey post, thank you for sharing your tribute to all the women who have helped you become a special mom yourself….very nice…..love the sheep post….and I wanted you to know I am still doing the knee yoga movements and can’t say I have felt any changes, but makes me happy knowing I am doing something physical to help my OA…..enjoy the weekend…kat
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Mar 05, 2016 @ 22:33:42
Thank you Kat! 😊
I know the knee massage takes a couple of weeks to show effect… I’m doing it too as I hurt my knee at work the other day! 😯
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Mar 06, 2016 @ 00:17:28
I think its a great way to keep the blood flowing around the joint….hope your feeling better….k
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Mar 06, 2016 @ 00:27:19
Thank you! And I hope it helps you too!
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Mar 06, 2016 @ 00:17:53
Happy UK mum’s Day….
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Mar 06, 2016 @ 00:27:30
Thank you 😊
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Mar 05, 2016 @ 14:33:05
Such a beautiful sentiment, Ritu. You are so lucky to have been mothered by so many wonderful women. 💕 A great tribute you have here.
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Mar 05, 2016 @ 15:05:09
Thank you Van. Truly blessed, I feel 😊
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Mar 05, 2016 @ 13:36:09
It is said that people who are about to die always have their moms as the last memory they will have… And some even call their moms out loud. Yap, there’s only one person in the world whose love is unconditional, our mother!
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Mar 05, 2016 @ 13:43:19
Absolutely! 😊
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Mar 05, 2016 @ 11:52:36
It is wonderful to call so many women your mom. And you are truly blessed with your mother-in-law. When the relationship finally got better, she became more the needy person and kind of a child than a mother. But my biological mother is an absolute gem for all of us. She made that all up. Thank you for sharing such heartwarming facts of your life, Sis! 💖
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Mar 05, 2016 @ 11:57:36
I am lucky sis in so.many ways. .. its important to be grateful 😊😊😊
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Mar 05, 2016 @ 12:21:23
It is, sis! That way you see even more of the blessings in the people you already appreciate! So wonderful 💖
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Mar 05, 2016 @ 12:23:21
😍😍😍
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Mar 05, 2016 @ 12:26:04
😘 😘 😘
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Mar 05, 2016 @ 08:54:28
What a lovely post Ritu, and a beautiful tribute to all of those very special women in your life. You are indeed very blessed. 🙂
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Mar 05, 2016 @ 09:08:01
Thank you Judy. I think you have to remember them all! 😊
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Mar 05, 2016 @ 11:29:32
Yes, and it is lovely that you have 🙂
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Mar 05, 2016 @ 11:50:44
😊😊😊
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Mar 14, 2015 @ 10:53:07
Great one Ritu… Brings a new depth
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Mar 14, 2015 @ 10:58:34
Thanks Prajakta! 😊
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Mar 13, 2015 @ 20:11:23
Beautiful! I love the intensity of words!
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Mar 13, 2015 @ 20:33:37
Thank you! 😊
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Mar 13, 2015 @ 20:34:34
You’re most welcome!
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