My mommy bestest..

So it was this afternoon that Mom called and broke the news about her promotion. I realized after speaking to her that unintentionally, I always kept a tab on her professional growth. And this promotion isn't just another promo.

Starting her career on a very humble note, joining a world renowned organization as a temporary clerk and slowly moving up the ranks, not to forget the part time MBA she enrolled herself into in her early 40's, clearing it in the first attempt whilst managing the family/work/study, us kids and other responsibilities, I see this to be quite an achievement.

Clearing the internal interviews and creating a record of sorts by being placed 1st amongst the whole set of candidates on a national level, beating her peers from top notch B-Schools (which I totally dig) and landing a plum post getting to the no. 3 position on a state level, i'm at loss of words to express myself.

The sacrifices made by my Mom, to get here today cannot be forgotten. Working in places like Bihar, getting her purse snatched, giving shelter to a certain outside consultant working with her who was sexually harassed by the local goons in that state, witnessing the kidnapping of the office driver, moving to another state and visiting the naxal affected places for work, not to forget she being away from home since the past 4 years and at one point in time being the sole breadwinner, taking care of dad from the time he was first told to quit working thanks to his deteriorating health to being by his side when he was diagnosed of his heart problems to the 3 months post surgery care, I could go on and on.

I'm absolutely proud of my folks, always have been. And this news brings to focus all the efforts that they collectively put in. Until this afternoon I was smug, considering that I was leading the way when it came to professional achievements, but Mom just overtook me and I will be honest in saying that this is something which perhaps I could never do in my lifetime, even if my little responsibilities that exist were taken away.

Maybe I could get promoted to a step higher, but getting a triple promotion to make it to a prestigious post... nah, I can't even dream of it.

Mom will officially become a bigshot come Jan 08. As someone who will soon have direct access to the CM of the state she will be moving to, and working with an international organization which the govt. of India works closely with, I think the least I could do is pay her a visit which is long overdue.

Reading what I wrote, I am reminded of a post made by a blogger about women and if their social responsibilities hindered their professional goals. Taking my Mom as an example, I would say that maybe it is a bit more difficult for women, but definitely not impossible.