Every day is Mothers Day

(From left) Sangeeta, with her mother Gayateri, her father Retnakumar, and her two siblings. Photos: Gayateri Harikrishnan

To Sangeeta Retnakumar, 12, a Malaysian figure skater and student: “Mother is the one who teaches us right from wrong, good from bad, and are special because they work round the clock without any complaints to keep us (children) happy.”

Sangeeta, who has not only represented Malaysia in figure skating tournaments in Asia but also won first place in many of them, believes that part of her success in the world of competitive figure skating is having a mother who believes in and is willing to support her.

Sangeeta (right) says that part of her success in the world of competitive figure skating is having a mother who believes in and is willing to support her.

Together with her younger siblings, Nitish, 10, and Shivanya, three, she feels that “every day is Mothers Day”.

“It means so much to us because we love our mum very much and we’re thankful that we have the best mum in the world, ” she says.

Although they can’t celebrate Mothers Day every day, they are glad there is a special day to appreciate all mothers.

“The children always do something special for me each year. They have handmade cards for me, and even bought me a cake or flowers with their own pocket money, ” says their mother Gayateri Harikrishnan, 40.

A handmade Mothers Day gift that Gayateri received from her children Sangeeta, Nitish and Shivanya.

“Last year, they even wrote a Mothers Day poem and bought me a necklace, ” says the administrative executive.

This year, the family plans to stay safe by celebrating Mothers Day at home.

Gayateri reveals that her daughter Sangeeta’s birthday is on May 9, a day before Mothers Day, so they will celebrate both occasions together.

Both she and her husband, Retnakumar Annamalai, 42, a procurement manager, have been staying home since the MCO started.

Gayateri admits that being at home, preparing and cooking, doing household chores, looking after the kids and overseeing their schoolwork and online classes, can be tiring.

“But I’m happy to see them safe and at home, so it’s all worth it, ” she says.

“My only sadness is that I can’t celebrate with my own mum this year. It’s the first year that I can’t wish her, can’t buy gifts for her, nor send flower bouquets to her, ” Gayateri reminisces. Her mother passed away in December last year.

“It’s so important to love and appreciate your mother while you have the chance to, ” she says.