The Last Gift

THIS DAY LAST YEAR - Chapter 2

The Last Gift

April 12th, 2021

It was the wedding season for our family as we were all prepping for my uncle’s wedding. My cousins and I were on a shopping spree to buy matching outfits for a few days.

After waking up, Mom, Dad, and I had our morning worship session listening to songs on the TV. Mumma and I were planning what we wanted to wear and how we were gonna travel for the wedding. Maa kept telling me she wanted to buy something for me, and I said okay. And we spent the entire day doing our own stuff, Maa answered a few calls and checked her emails.

My Mumma was an exceptional person. She had the tendency of creating an impact on people within a five-minute talk. At times I wish I had the chance of getting counselled by her.

In the evening, Maa started arranging everything for the cousin's night out. Though Maa was in her early 50s, she was a kid at heart. She enjoyed every outing, every gettogether, and every moment of her life. So she was more excited about the night out and made our beds and all the snacks. We ( Dickie Mama, Richie, and I) went to pick up my cousins( Abey and Gudiya). At first, Maa planned to join us but suddenly said she had something else to do and went out on her own. After reaching my cousin's place, Maa called me and asked me to check my phone. And to my surprise, there she was at a mall buying a present for me. She sent me three pictures and asked me to decide what I wanted. I was overwhelmed cause that was my Mumma. She kept saving for some time to buy me this present.

I chose what I wanted, and she bought it for me. We came back home and had dinner together while watching an IPL match. She quietly took me inside and showed me my gift. With tears, she said, “ Love you J” and gave me a tight hug. Anybody who has ever hugged my mother knows that she gives the warmest hugs. Ever since a baby, it was an unsaid rule at home that every day, I had to hug and kiss both mummy and daddy. But today, I wish I could hug her.

We all changed into our night suits and sat down to play games. Every now and then, Maa kept checking on us if we wanted something. At around 4:00 AM on the 13th of April, Maa called me and asked me for chilled water. Chilled water and Cool drinks were Mumma’s most favourite things to drink. When I checked, she was on her knees praying. Knowing that cool water is not good for her, I gave her normal water, and she made a face. I still laugh every time I remember the face she made. I gave her a stern look and said “I’m not going to give you cold water”, and left the room. Within two minutes, I heard some sounds from the hall and went to check, there she was drinking chilled water. After her eyes met mine, we both burst out in laughter and went back to our respective rooms.

Now, every time I miss Mumma, I give Jesus imaginary hugs and ask him to tell her that I miss her. The Lord has been my hiding place for the past 11 months. Dad and I cry and laugh together when we remember Mumma.

And there it was, the last time I got a gift from Mumma,

This Day Last Year.

By HIS Grace,

A Daughter with A Mother in Heaven.

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