Happy Mother’s Day

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Our mothers are divine in human form and their love teaches us our first lesson in grace.

This year, I finally learned that lesson, not through words, but when life gently disrupted my well-laid plans.

Every summer, my wife, daughters, and I travel to my hometown to reconnect with our family. My mother, now in her late eighties, lives in our childhood home along with my brother’s family. The plan was simple: a quiet week to unwind, catch up, and enjoy meaningful time together.

But soon after we arrived, as if the universe were testing me, life threw a quiet twist. I realised something I had completely overlooked—Mother’s Day was the day after our departure. In my 50 years, I had never spent that day with my mother. As a child, I did not even know such a day existed.

A heaviness occupied in my heart. This was the perfect chance to celebrate Mother’s Day with my mother, and now it seems like it is slipping away. I wanted to stay. I truly did. But when I saw the skyrocketing rescheduling air fares day after Mother’s Day, a flood of justifications rushed in: too expensive, not planned, not necessary.

I could not help but wonder at our strange financial logic. We often say family, relationships , love is priceless—until a price tag shows up. Then suddenly, it’s not about feelings anymore. It is about fares. Choices. Calculations.

We often easily spend on unplanned online shopping, fancy dinners, the latest gadgets, premium cars, and EMI-backed vacations. We do not think twice for our children’s stuff, and in moments of crisis or emergency, we empty our wallets without a second thought.

Yet, when it comes to our aging parents—the people who gave everything to us , we become accountants. We ran the numbers. We convince ourselves: Maybe next time.

That bitter truth stayed with me. I knew what the right choice was. But in the end, practicality prevailed. Logic won. And love quietly stepped aside. Eventually, I dropped the flight reschedule decision.

As planned, we got into the cab for the airport—a three-hour ride to another city. Hearts heavy with goodbye, I smiled, but inside, the weight of missed moment felt like a shadow.

However, halfway to the airport, my phone buzzed with breaking news:

Pakistan conducts an airstrike across the border. Tensions rise. Airspace under review.

What had been simmering after India’s missile strike on terrorist camps had now escalated dramatically. Flight cancellations began rolling in.

By the time we reached the airport, an airline staff member confirmed it:

“Your flight’s canceled. No incoming aircraft. Airspace is frozen for now.”

For a moment, I stood frozen, too.

The flight, I couldn’t justify changing; life had canceled it for me. Decided for me.

I turned to my wife. There was nothing to discuss.

“We’re going back,” I said.

Not out of convenience—but out of grace.

As we drove back, I was humbled by a quiet realisation: sometimes, when logic suppresses love, life steps in.

When logic suppresses love, life steps in.

The next morning, I was there for Mother’s Day.

Not by plan. Not by obligation. But by grace.

For the very first time in my life, I celebrated it not only with my mother but also with my wife’s mother.

The irony? The money I had hesitated to spend on rescheduling ended up being spent anyway to rebook our flights. Looking back, if I had made that decision earlier, I would’ve saved money.

But none of that mattered anymore.

What mattered was the moment. The memory. The miracle of finally celebrating Mother’s Day with the woman who brought me into this world. It felt like fate made sure this special day happened just when it was supposed to, even though fifty years had passed. Thank you .

Sometimes, what feels like a setback is actually a setup for something spectacular.

Wishing you and your mom a wonderful Mother’s Day!

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