In this world of realities, my mother was the beacon that led the way in my life.  From her, I learned the values of life.  A vessel of generosity, she opened the door to humanity.  She saw people as human beings, irrespective of rank and station.  She told me that the people around us were all children of some “mothers”, whether they were master or servant.  Welfare of others was of paramount importance to her.

She was always generous with food. People stopped by after the morning Mass.  They never left without breakfast.  She had a regular acquaintance for Wednesday lunch in honor of St. Joseph.

She always cared about the well being of her domestic help.  I have memories of her directing the girls about personal cleanliness.  She watched over them and directed them when they washed their hair.  She gave particular attention when they washed their clothes.

The mental wellness of those who worked for her was very important for her. She lent books and magazines for those who worked under her.

She never ate food delicacies without sharing them with her underlings.  If there was not enough, she used to cut them into smaller pieces to go around. 

My mother’s cooking was out of this world.  But she never looked down on others’ cookings. She taught me to respect the efforts of others. She discouraged me from looking down on them.

My mother was a natty dresser.  She was meticulous in pleating her clothes in the traditional manner.  Although  of a height of five feet, she knew how to hold a dignified stature.

She was a gifted natural singer.  Everyday our family sang at least two songs after the family prayer in the evening.  She came from a family that sang.  Her brother taught himself how to play several instruments and got together with his friends and had music sessions.  At home, he sang with his sisters and was the accompanist. My mother had cherished memories of her appearing on the stage as divine apparition of Virgin Mary and sang. We all inherited her singing genes at varied levels.

My mother was very neat.  Her housekeeping was excellent.  While she was in school, her teachers kept composition book on top when the District Inspectors came for assessment.  

 To me, Elizabeth Joseph was the quintessence of “ Mother”.