Are You My Mother?

As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect.

     The other day it was Reading Across America Day. So I decided to tweet, and share books that I read to my children when they were very young, probably between 1-2 years or the toddler age. Since that day, I left a couple of books out. I kept them were I could see them everyday as a reminder of the playful innocence, and wonder that can be found in children books. One of the books is called Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman. I re-colllect reading this book almost everyday in both English and Urdu to the kids, and the curiosity and intense suspense that was created in their eyes.  

The title of this book made me think about what it means to be a mother. Who is a mother? There is great pain involved in child birth, the pains are rewarded with the birth of a baby. The title and the curiosity of the bird reveal that a mother can be in the form of biological birth bonds, but it takes much more strength to raise a child, than to just birth the child. A mother can be anyone that is a care-giver, or one who takes on the role of a guardian, and where the baby forms attachments. 

     These thoughts can also be related to nations. When wealthy nations decide to assist or provide aid to nations in need, it is almost as though the wealthy nation is taking on a parental role to support that nation, to create bonds and attachments. This can be said because of the vast investments that were made in China by the USA, and the increased exportation of goods from China. Today we hear about the rise of China, but we have to think: Did the rise of China or thier economy happen by itself? No it was not. Western countries were outsourcing to China, exporting, investing, all contributing to the growth of China, the same can be said of India. However, the difference we see today is that China wants to engage in Trade Wars, while India acknowledges the historical ties, investments, industry, trade from the west. Which we hope continues.

     So when we ask or think of the question - Are You My Mother? We can relate. A mother is much more that giving birth, it involves taking on the parental role, doing the best you can to love and support the child's well-being. In the same sense nations must also remember who was there for them, when no one else was. 

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)

Notes: these thoughts were originally hand-written on March 23rd, 2018.
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