Oh! Children FEEL the pain!! On Friday, when I went to pick up my kids from school, I was late the school parking was full, and I had to park outside, next to the school is a small supermarket, where I parked my car. It started to rain, so I quickly rushed to get shelter inside. My son was sick as well, so I carried him in my arms and sat down on the sitting area. Just then this old lady came and sat down next to me, she carried this big sized teddy bear, with her. When I saw her, I recognised her, because, the day before me and my daughter had seen her in the grocery store, at that time I thought she was carrying this teddy bear for may be her grand children, but then you will be surprised to hear her story! So, when she sat down, she greeted me, and I greeted her too, I didn’t have a clue, She wrapped the teddy bear, in a wrapping cloth, like we wrap babies, with the hat and mittens, and she kept rocking it continuously, I just kept watching, just then I saw a bag next to her, which had this milk bottle, with real milk, nappies, wipes, lotions, dresses, I said to myself, Oh! Allah, what is all this, she took out some wipes and again kept it back, she asked me, do you have a tissue, I said yes, I do, I gave her tissue, she then started wiping the teddy bear’s nose, Oh! Allah I was shocked, she said my baby has flu, I understood that she was mentally ill, so I said “yeah I can see that”. She kept rocking and rocking, she said he is 6 months old and his name was Rayen, I told her that her son was cute, and adorable. Just then her daughter, who was around thanked me, for talking in her way, she told me that she had Alzheimer’s, and the only thing she can remember is that the birth of her son, who passed away when he was young and she being a mother, I just remembered the ayah where Allah says, then We bring you out as infants, means, weak in his body, hearing, sight, senses, stamina and mind. Then Allah gives him strength, gradually and causes his parents to treat him with tender kindness night and day. Allah says: then give you growth that you may reach your age of full strength. Meaning, his strength increases until he reaches the vitality and handsomeness of youth and among you there is he who is brought back to the miserable old age, meaning advanced old age with its weakness in mind and body, in steady decline in comprehension, and disability to grasp. Indeed, it is Allah that is The All Knowing, The All powerful. She actually carries with her real milk, nappies, wipes she wrapped the teddy tightly, and held it close to her. I couldn’t imagine her world, where she lives in the past, where she can only remember her son, and no one around. What a relationship Allah has created of a mother with her children, which she can never forget, SubhanAllah, She forgot everything, but could not forget herself being a mother, I don’t think children can even comprehend the meaning of motherhood, unless they become one. Her behaviour kept my thoughts ticking, all the way, I was in tears, I saw my son in my arms, and I thought, what kind of gift this is from Allah SWT, which sometimes I take for granted. I also thought what would make my children realise, that a mothers sacrifice is over everything this world can give. Her image should be respected, loved and cherished. By no means, can any child repay his/her mother, there is no currency made on the face of this earth, which can repay her sacrifice. “A mother is like the candle, which will burn itself, and shed tears, but will makes sure that she keeps the house enlightened!” I owe a lot to my mum, for all the sacrifices she has made for me, to come to this stage of being a mother myself. Love you MOM!!! -Sharmeen Syeeda