WhatsApp Me, Mom

Last November was a hard time for my parents; they had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Though they overcame this fearful situation and everything appeared fine, the post COVID complications were slowly cropping up, making them feel more and more depressed. My father however managed to get out of this plight and resumed his work, but my mother was utterly drained, both mentally and physically; that made me very anxious to get her out of this exhausting and awful state.

It was also not possible for me to visit her every day as there were covid restrictions imposed in every corner. But then, it was difficult to stay without seeing her. I thought of getting her a smart phone so we could be more in touch through video calls. Besides, she could do a lot of other things with it that probably would brighten up her mood.

But I was quite unsure whether she would be able to use the gadget. A perfect Indian housewife who lived solely for others and never for herself, who worked tirelessly every day to keep her family happy. Who even, after being well educated never had the chance to establish herself. And now in her early sixties, she felt deeply estranged from the outside world.

As I gifted her the new phone, it filled her with utmost delight. Just like a child wholly engrossed in her new toy; she could not take her eyes off the new gift, neither could I from her beautiful serene face; kindled with a pleasant smile. It was always a bliss to watch her like that; a truly rare moment to cherish. I was a bit perplexed as it was hard to believe that a gadget could make my mother happy. Maybe she felt that she too belonged here and was not left behind. It was difficult to figure out what exactly she was feeling, but one thing was certain that I was too late to give her this happiness.

Composing myself, I explained to her some basic stuff like how to on/off the mobile, make and receive calls, use certain applications, particularly stressing more on ‘WhatsApp’ as this application was the much-needed platform to illuminate her on the other features & functions of the device. Teaching everything in one go was not a great idea either, it had to be a gradual process. Again, I needed to hurry up as my kids were all alone at home. Back home, I made short videos on how to use the net, watch YouTube, check for poems & songs and many other things that she would like the most, which I forwarded to her, of course, on WhatsApp. My husband too allowed me to use his mobile to make the videos as two cellphones were needed, one for filming and the other one to demonstrate.

My mother was a quick learner. She understood a lot in a very short time. Dullness and dismay were fast disappearings from her life. And after a few days with Google in her life, this is what happened….

Mom always loved making quilts; she still makes them … but now, they are transforming into some designer stuff.

She is trying to revive her once-beloved interest in composing poems.

These days she is laughing a lot; even the neighbours get disturbed (kidding) …  her favourite comedy shows are the reason.

And even in these covid times, my kids can see their grandmother … it’s a blessing.

I was a bit concerned about her eyesight considering her age however, her dear friend Google has already acquainted her with vision care.

So now whenever she is ready with a few lines of her new poem; ever thrilled to read it,

I call out loud, “WhatsApp me… Mom’’.

Image:toa-heftiba–unsplash