Mother and Me

Mother and Her Diet

Unlike most of us who are slaves to our taste when we crave for a particular delicacy, the Mother was never choosy about any food. She ate to live — and not like most of us who live to eat! Whatever was given to her, she took it without any expression on her face.

When I reduced her salt intake, her food was cooked without salt. She ate it with relish. When someone advised (and I agreed) that bitter gourd (Karela) could be good for her, being a good appetizer, she ate it with equal ease. I was told by “D” that the Mother always liked bitter taste and in fact enjoyed it. I was very happy to learn this since I myself have always enjoyed bitter taste! I wonder if enjoying bitter food also enables one to face bitter things in life!

This could be a good subject for research by gustatory gastroenterologists and psychologists. I have no knowledge about her earlier likes or dislikes, but she was always obliging us by taking whatever we gave her. Gradually, however, her intake came down and despite our requests, she took very little; but she never had a frown on her face. When asked, “How is the Mother?” she always replied, “Bon” (“Good” in French), and nodded her head.

Biological science mentions four basic tastes — salt, sour, sweet, and bitter. Yet what a variety of tastes one experiences when one eats or drinks different foods! There was a special “Mother’s kitchen” where they used to cook specially for her, and the food was sent to her room around 7:00 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday. It was a routine.

At that time, no visitors were allowed during her meal.

The Mother, however, always responded with “Bon” for food at every meal. It was evident that she was content and had no preference or dislike for any dish. Like a little child, she ate everything offered to her lovingly.

As a doctor, I wondered, what must have been her taste sensation? No longer retaining the ability of taste itself? One would never know. She was the most self-controlled person in the world, as were so many people around her.

The Mother, however, always responded with “Bon” — a nod and a smile — for every dish that was offered to her. In her calm poise, food had become a symbol of equality and gratitude. For her, food was an aspect of integral Yoga, where all tastes are nothing but good.