Story: Dr. Shahla Gondal
Every morning in life follows its routine, but some mornings, even in their chaos, become invaluable. Today was one of those mornings—cold, dark, and tangled.
At 5:30 AM, the alarm woke me up. The haze of sleep and the stillness of the cold couldn’t overshadow the excitement of answering my students’ intriguing and unique questions at school. However, today, unlike usual, Naveed had to leave for work early, making me long for a day off. My mind quickly reminded me that I had to help students with their science projects, and this was no day for taking a break.
With a prayer, I got up, woke Naveed, and after taking care of my personal routines, headed to the kitchen. I prepared breakfast for him, and by 6:30 AM, he had left for work. Usually, he would drop me at the station at 7:30 AM before taking the kids to school and then heading to his office by 8:30 AM.
I woke up all four kids and went back to the kitchen. Ayesha, who had to catch the 7:30 AM train, was ready. It was her final exam of the semester, and I saw her off with countless prayers.
The younger ones, Hassan and Zainab, were to go to Husnain’s house around the corner, where his mother, Saima, had agreed to drop them off at school. Naveed had already requested her over the phone the night before. After feeding everyone breakfast and packing their lunchboxes, I quickly started getting ready myself.
The little ones had already left for Husnain’s house, and I was almost ready to leave. Salman, whose school started at 9:00 AM today, said, “Mama, let’s leave together. You can take the 8:30 bus, and I’ll walk you to the bus stop before heading to school.”
I smiled and said, “Why not? With such a lovely companion, even a long walk will feel like seconds.”
We locked the house at 8:08 AM and set off on foot.
Fresh footprints on the snow were clearly visible. As we neared Husnain’s house, tire marks from a car on the road made me think Saima had already picked up the kids. But Salman pointed out footprints on the sidewalk and said, “Mama, these are Hassan and Zainab’s shoe prints.”
I replied in surprise, “They were supposed to go with Husnain’s mom. These must be someone else’s.”
Salman insisted, “No, these are theirs. The shoe design and size match.”
As we walked further, just past the plant shop near the red building, we saw them. They were walking toward the bridge leading to their school. It seemed Saima had forgotten to take them. For a moment, my heart skipped a beat, but seeing the confidence on their faces brought a sense of relief. They had become so responsible and independent! I hugged them, praised them, and we took a memorable picture together. At 8:22 AM, after crossing the zebra crossing, Hassan and Zainab turned toward the road leading to their school, while Salman and I continued toward the city center.
We reached the bus stop at 8:28 AM. My bus was due at 8:38 AM, but Salman was unwilling to leave me alone. He held my hand and said, “Mama, come with me across the bridge. Take the bus from the next stop.”
I hesitated, saying, “I always take the bus from here; this is my comfort zone.”
“Sometimes, one needs to step out of their comfort zone,” he said, gently pulling me toward the bridge. His tone, full of love and assurance, melted away my reluctance. We crossed the bridge and reached the next stop at 8:35 AM. Soon, the bus arrived. Salman looked at me with satisfaction and said, “There you go, Mama. Now you can sit comfortably.”
I smiled, said goodbye, and boarded the bus. He watched as I settled in, then turned and walked toward his school.
By the time I reached my school, it was already 9:00 AM—an hour late. But what I had witnessed and felt today left a lasting impression on my heart. The day reflected my children’s love, upbringing, and sense of responsibility.
Hassan and Zainab, still very young, displayed remarkable independence for their age. Walking confidently toward school, leaving footprints in the snow, they showed no fear. They had learned to find their way and make quick decisions in challenging moments. Not only did I see their self-confidence, but I also realized the importance of allowing them the freedom to make decisions. It was a moment of immense peace as a mother, knowing we had instilled courage and trust in their hearts.
Salman, walking with me, had become not just my son but also a friend and companion far beyond his years. His eyes radiated a sense of protection and a desire for me to reach my destination comfortably and safely. When he said, “Mama, sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone,” it wasn’t just advice—it was love that pushes you to care for someone beyond yourself.
When I boarded the bus, and he looked back one last time to ensure I was seated comfortably, I realized the beautiful balance in the relationship between a mother and her children. The child who once clung to me for attention and love was now returning that love and care in his own way.
Love and responsibility are intertwined. Love isn’t just about expressing emotions; it means creating ease for others and adjusting your priorities for them. My younger kids’ independence and my elder son’s thoughtful care showed that our upbringing had instilled the values of a strong human being in them.
Every moment in life carries a lesson. Today’s lesson was that when children grow up under the shadow of your prayers and love, they reflect that love back in new forms. They become independent, but your importance never diminishes. They are ready to walk with you, step by step, just as you once taught them to walk.
This morning, which initially seemed chaotic and worrisome, turned into a beautiful memory. Small moments of love, trust, and responsibility enriched my life even further. I learned that being a mother isn’t just about guiding your children; it’s also about letting them guide and care for you in their unique way.
