Moon Phases - by Thara Karan

What will you do if your Mommy asks for hair clips?

What will you do, if your Mommy asks for Hair Clips? I was sleeping in my Red (my favorite Red Mattress Bedroom, all by myself, alone. It’s normal and usual! I prefer to sleep alone after an exhausting day! I mean which is everyday!! So,…I was in deep sleep (early hours of the morning, maybe 3 or 4) My Mom walked into my room. (Back story: she passed away 10 years ago; and, even before that…she was bedridden for 10 long years, without the ability to walk, talk or even to recognize self or anyone of us). It’s pitch dark. She walked towards my feet, pulled the red mattress off, and rubbed my feet…especially my toes, I guess! So very realistic! I felt it was so REAL. My feet tingled with chillness. And, I swear, I felt the touch! Then, she literally (or at least to me) crawled on to the bed to my right side(the empty side of the King Bed) and lay next to me, for 3-5 minutes maybe. And, turned towards me. As though she wants to talk. I heard her voice saying “I too want that hair clip”. That’s all. That’s all she spoke. She vanished! It was so vivid and clear. Very audible and realistic to my knowledge! I suddenly felt…Mom is not alive anymore to have this conversation! I woke up from my dream/sleep, feeling all awful! Now, rephrasing and cohering her words: “I Too Want That Hair Clip”. Only like 10-15 days ago (prior to this dream), I was impatiently browsing for the Pearl HairClips for Kushi (my 8 year old little girl). I was trying to get one of a kind! Although…there was only a few options at that time! Just bought a bunch of those. (for the time being) While..I planned on making/ordering a custom made one pretty soon! Anyway… Hmmm,I don’t know much about science behind the dreams nor life after death! But, I do know my Mom. And, it’s quite very much like her. Lol. Guess, what I did that morning. I was replaying the dream again and again: those little words especially!Kind of non-stop…over and over again, a million times is no exaggeration! Just to hold-on to Not To Forget (something that happened so-real). While…brushing…showering…and so on! Right after done with my morning routine, cook, clean…drop off at school etc. I have gotten ready and rushing to my office ( the time that you forget everything except for the traffic that you need to beat that day) Lol. My office is like 45 minutes drive in crazy hours! ) The moment I grabbed my bag! The memory of dream came and hit me so strong! Am this usual two minutes prayer kind of person. A flower, candle or even one incense, that’s my daily! Nothing so religious or so or What’s so ever! But, however…today (that day) I felt compelled to go upstairs for a silent prayer (despite of all overwhelmed thoughts). A meaningful prayer: Thanked her for this beautiful conversation after a long time. I gave Mommy what she asked for. The hair clips. The hair-clips that I bought for my daughter. I was so pleased to lay the clips in front of her (photo) than the usual flowers from our garden! And, said…I always loved her.

Am really glad to know that she can walk, talk and out of all this worldly miseries. With this feeling…I am off to my work-place. - Malar Gandhi