The Memory Project - Mother's love for Children

Sadly, there isn't much to do, except treasure the happy memories and forge ahead, creating your own path and immortalising her legacy. As you get older, dealing with the loss may become easier, but it does leave a gaping hole in your heart that never really heals entirely.

Huma and her brother Vikram had to face this reality very early on in life. Their mother was somebody who chose to break stereotypes and fight the norms. Back in 1997, at a time when women were still not fully accepted in the work place, Yamin Hazarika became the first woman police officer from North East India to join the Delhi Police. Despite the fact that her job forced her to be stern, Huma remembers her as a sensitive soul.

Unfortunately, their strong mother was diagnosed with cancer. But the children did not know. They were told that their mother was suffering from malaria, and so to cheer her up, they put on a little skit for her in her hospital room. Looking back today, Huma realises that even though she saw her mother on a ventilator, the stark reality of the situation never really dawned on them after all, as far as she knew, malaria wasn't life threatening. Sadly, their mother eventually succumbed to the disease, and her children were left in shock.

Now, 20 years later, the kids look back and they only have happy memories of their mother to accompany them through life. There is a keen sense of stability when you have a strong female figure in your life, acknowledges Vikram. And even though his mother may not be around in person, he knows her undying spirit is with them always. Today, they stand proud of their mother's powerful and pathbreaking accomplishments. The two are incredibly grateful that they've managed to lead a comfortable life over the last few years, but only because their mother was careful with her money and did her best to get her affairs in order. In doing so, she had secured the financial future of her children all while she was still young.

Huma and Vikram both know that they are few of the lucky ones. There are cases that we all hear about every day, when children who have lost a parent, are left struggling for several years, trying to figure out financial affairs, and simply trying to make ends meet.

Yamin did whatever she could to ensure that her daughter, and women all over India, had the ability to choose any career they wanted, and she also did what she could to make sure that Huma never had to struggle. She was a true trailblazer, and we can all learn something from her example.

The Memory Project explores life after losing a loved one and the memories, objects, stories one may cling onto to remember them. If you too have a story to share, participate by clicking on the link below:

www.hdfclife.com/thememoryproject