Feminine Force

The stylish oval mirror on my Mom's dressing table always beckons. In the first light of dawn I see her, fresh as dew, combing her hair. Her favourite Evening in Paris fragrance floats to me as I rub my eyes. Propping myself up on my pillow, I watch her get ready for the day That perfume, a blend of soap, cream, talc and some scent - that has been my takeaway since I can remember. As I grew up, instinctively I knew the Scent of a Woman was her most identifiable aspect. That invisible impact of her persona. Naturally, I imbibed the same. Her freshness was not just in her daily regime Her thirst for new knowledge, skills and ideas were a great influence too Like her, I craved to be accomplished, both in the letters and arts. She'd been a state athlete and a trained dancer. I grew up in an Air Force station, and my mother was my coach. So I too got some winning moments in the camp. But my discipline in sports and aesthetics in dance were established As the years spanned out, we shared many moments, both joyous and difficult. But her humility and simplicity became ingrained in me. We learnt to rejoice with the smallest of things - sighting a yellow bird or becoming ecstatic over a new bloom Without my knowing, I was being moulded in her persona That persona which strove for excellence in whatever role or relationship she played

As a wife she was perfect - understanding, supportive, loving and caring. As a mother she was a perfectionist, immaculate in her care of us, strict, a health freak and a human clock As a person she was pious, kind to a fault and funny in her faults Always laughing at her own mistakes Subconsciously, I was picking up those traits as my roles in my life expanded.

But it was her old age that impacted me most. Retiring as a military wife, her strength in her vulnerable years, her fortitude in the face of adversity and her calmness in her lonesome days became ingrained in my mind Never complaining, always fulfilled, forever compassionate about others' failings.

She still loved her perfume and looking fresh. I grew up in her inspiration, and sketched out my roles on the drawing board It was a tall order, but I saw myself reflected in her eyes Compassion, empathy, piety, caring, uplifting, educating, dutiful, diligent, and moral - many traits of a woman essential to live out that blessing given to us.

I am a woman and I am blessed. I will bestow to the world as I have been granted by His Grace