If the story of my life began anywhere, it was with my mother. The first face I saw after coming into this world, the first voice I heard—all were my mother's. Even after all these years, I feel that no matter how big I grow, I remain that small, helpless child to my mother. My mother is the first teacher, the first friend, and the first shelter in my life.
As a child, I always saw my mother busy. Waking up early in the morning, cooking for everyone, cleaning the house, and preparing us for school—her days were spent in all these things. At that time, it seemed that my mother never got tired. Now, I understand that she got tired, but she did not show it to us. She kept everything inside herself, her physical pain and mental fatigue.
My mother never showed too much affection, nor was she ever too strict. Her affection was silent and deep. Patting my forehead at night while I was sleeping, staying up all night when I was sick, silently praying before exams—these were the small things that her love was in. I didn't understand all this then, but now I understand that these were the greatest care.
My mother witnessed every mistake in my life. When I made a mistake, she scolded me, got angry, but she never left me alone. Her anger was also filled with love. At the end of her scolding, she would say, "People make mistakes, but learning from those mistakes is the key." These words seemed very ordinary at the time, but today they keep me on the right path in many areas of life.
My mother rarely talks about herself. None of us noticed when her dreams, her unfulfilled desires disappeared behind our lives. She may have wanted to be many things, wanted to do many things. But our future became the biggest dream for her. Our good results, our smiles, our security—all these were the successes of her life.
I saw that my mother became happy with very little. Even my small successes brought tears of pride to her eyes. Again, she breaks down inside because of my pain. Forgetting her own pain, she feels our pain more. Sometimes it feels very heavy to think about this mother's mind.
During difficult times in life, I remember my mother the most. When everything seems chaotic, one or two words she said seem to give me strength. My mother never said, "You can't do it." Rather, she always said, "Try, trust in Allah." This belief has taught me to stand up again and again.
As I grow older, the way I look at my mother has also changed. Where before she seemed like a person who could do everything, now I see that she is gradually getting tired. She can't walk as fast as before, she can't do all the work easily. Yet she tries as hard for us as before. This effort is what makes me cry the most.
Mother never knows how to ask for anything. Her needs are very simple—a little attention for everyone, a little time, and a little love. Yet, we ourselves don't realize how many times we neglect her in our busy lives. When we remember later, we feel guilty inside.
Today, I understand that a mother is not just a mother who gives birth. A mother is a person who has given her life to us little by little. Our future is tied to her breath. There are very few people in this world who are as selfless as she was for us.
My biggest wish in life is that my mother should be healthy and at peace. I want her to be able to smile until the end of her life. Because all my good things, all my peace, begin and end with this one person. My mother.
