Every child sees their mother through a lens shaped by love, memory, and gratitude. This Mother’s Day, voices from across the community come together to share reflections, stories that reveal not just who their mothers are, but what they mean in their lives. Under the headline “Through my eyes: The woman I call mother,” these personal tributes capture the essence of motherhood in its truest form.
Speaking to Nagaland Post, Kumrido Nungdi from the Yimkhiung tribe began by sending Mother’s Day greetings to all mothers. He recalled that his happiest childhood memories with his mother were often simple yet joyful moments. During his school days, his mother would unexpectedly give him money or buy him snacks, and those small gestures brought him great happiness. He said those were some of the treasured moments he shared with her.
Reflecting on lessons understood later in life, Kumrido admitted that as a child he had always thought his mother was very strict. He often wondered why she did not allow him to go out or do certain things. But as he grew older, he realized that his mother had only been protecting him and guiding him toward the right path. He said that realization had deepened his respect for her, as he now understood that every restriction had been for his well being.
When asked about food or songs that reminded him of his mother, Kumrido mentioned old Mizo songs she used to sing, which often came back to his mind while staying away from home. He also spoke fondly of her cooking, especially kholar (kidney beans) with pork trotters and prawns with kholar fried dry. Kumrido observed that mothers were often celebrated only on Mother’s Day, with messages, pictures, and posts, but on other days their mostly sacrifices went unnoticed. He emphasized that true appreciation should go beyond one day and must include respect, support, and giving mothers rest from the burdens they silently carried.
In closing, Kumrido offered a heartfelt message to his mother. He thanked her for nurturing and raising him from childhood, teaching and caring for him at every stage of life. He admitted that he might have hurt her at times, but he assured her that he was striving to move forward in life without giving up and promised to make her proud one day. He reminded her that he was deeply loved by all her children, and wished her blessings, love, and remembrance in his silent prayers.
Ahothola, who is preparing for the civil services examination, shared her reflections on her mother. She said her mother’s strongest quality had always been her selflessness. From childhood, she had seen her mother put the family’s needs first, sacrificing her own comfort and time to ensure everyone was cared for.
Recalling a difficult moment, Ahothola said there was a time when she began doubting her career path after facing a major setback. Her mother stood firmly by her side, offering emotional support, helping her see the bigger picture, and reminding her to stay true to her values and not give up. She also admitted that she had unknowingly picked up her mother’s habit of making sure everyone around her felt seen and provided for.
In her eyes, she said that a mother’s true speciality lay in her strength and her instinctive understanding. She said mothers always seemed to know when something was wrong or what their children were feeling; even without words. She expressed gratitude for all the sacrifices she had made for the family, noting that her acts of love and devotion had never gone unnoticed.
Wezu Kronu, a recent graduate currently preparing for the NPSC while taking coaching, shared his reflections on his mother. He recalled that his happiest childhood memory with her was when they went out to restaurants together to try new food. Those outings, he said, carried a mix of joy, small arguments, and the delight of eating good food.
Speaking about his mother’s way of showing love, Wezu explained that she often scolded them when they asked for something unnecessary. Yet, moments later, she would call them back, ask if they truly wanted it, and eventually buy it for them. For him, this thoughtful balance of discipline and indulgence was his mother’s greatest expression of love.
He also shared a lesson from his mother that continued to guide him: the importance of respecting elders, speaking to them properly, and treating everyone equally regardless of class or background. These values, he said, had shaped his outlook on life.
When asked about food that reminded him most of his mother, Wezu mentioned smoked pork meat curry mixed with mashed potatoes. That dish, he said, always brought back memories of her care and presence. In his closing remarks, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to his mother and thanked her for her constant support and apologized for his past mischief. Acknowledging that he may not have always been the best son, he promised to strive to do his best in all that he does and make her proud. (Staff Reporter)
