Women are undoubtedly…
An epitome of strength and power,
Always ready to shower affection and kindness,
Full of courage, dedication, and selflessness,
A treasure—incomparable and priceless.
A sprinkling of resilience, unwavering spirit, patience, and forbearance adds to these qualities, forming the invisible characteristics that make every woman invincible.
From time immemorial, history has shown women strategizing victories in wars and holding authority in the durbars of various kingdoms. Whether nurturing a child who may one day lead a nation or stepping into leadership herself, women have ruled the pages of history across multiple spheres of life.
One such exemplary woman was my younger sister, who was born a blue baby with a congenital heart condition. For most of her childhood, she was often unwell due to her weak constitution. Even in school, she was exempt from strenuous activities and sports. She would sit in the playground, watching other children run and play, yet she was not allowed to jump, skip, or hop. As she grew, she became more aware of her limitations—but she faced them bravely.
Doctors advised surgery to improve her quality of life. The procedure was risky given her condition, yet she agreed, driven by her unwavering spirit to live. It was an open-heart surgery, and during that time, our hearts raced with anxiety.
She was a warrior. After her recovery, she began attending college, embracing her newfound freedom. Popular and social, she had many friends and never missed an opportunity to go out—whether it was a movie or a picnic.
Life moved forward. She started working and eventually got married. The doctor who had operated on her was amazed at her recovery. Her will to live and enjoy life despite medical restrictions added sparkle to her days.
Then, she achieved something remarkable, purely through her sheer determination and willpower—she became a mother. After seven months of complete bed rest in a hospital, she gave birth to a baby boy. When her heart surgeon heard the news, he said, “It’s a miracle.”
Both mother and premature baby required extra care. Yet, my sister navigated these difficult times with grace, fortitude, and strong-mindedness. Her endurance and resoluteness were astounding.
Soon, another tragedy struck. She lost her husband in an accident. Now, she bore the added responsibility of raising a child alone. It was a long journey, with innumerable obstacles along the way.
She became a mother, breadwinner, nurturer, and caregiver, all at once. With remarkable toughness of spirit, she tackled every challenge that came her way. She took immense pride in her son’s achievements, educating him to become a Computer Engineer and eventually settling him in life.
Despite her deteriorating health, she balanced her medical restrictions while enjoying life to the fullest. She never missed an opportunity to dress up, go out for dinner, or attend an outstation wedding. She was always eager to go.
And then, she finally left us—suddenly, leaving behind shock and grief. Looking back at her memories, I now realize she lived every day with gratitude, holding onto hope and faith for another tomorrow.
I dedicate this blog to my brave-hearted sister, who is no longer with us. She won innumerable hearts with her love, warmth, and caring nature. Her undaunted, invincible spirit in embracing life against all odds continues to inspire us…
Image Courtesy: by 822650 via pixabay
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– Munira Dalal
About the Author:
Munira Dalal holds a B.A. in Sociology and is a respected educator with nearly two decades of experience teaching across various schools and coaching students from all boards. She is also a Level 8 trained Abacus instructor. Munira’s creative flair extends to designing greeting cards, leading to the successful launch of her brand, SHABNAM, which offers a collection of exclusive, self-designed greeting cards. Her poetry, covering diverse themes, has been widely appreciated and awarded in renowned literary forums, including Asian Literary Society, POEMarium, Prose and Poetry with January Khan, StoryScrapers, Penmancy, Poetry Planet, and Beyond The Box. In recognition of her outstanding contribution to literature, she was honored with the SAMPOORNAM MEMORIAL AWARD 2018 by the Asian Literary Society.
