Ghalib on my Mom Life 

Today we celebrate the birthday of one of Urdu language’s finest poets, Mirza Ghalib. Born on Dec 27, 1797, in Agra, he rose to prominence in Delhi in the last era of the Mughal empire. His poetry has touched the souls of millions. It has often been said that Ghalib’s poetry is timeless. I have felt that more than ever since I became a mom. Sharing a few incidents from my life where Ghalib’s verses have hit home!

Oh the struggles of getting a picture taken with a toddler. Reminds me of Ghalib’s famous verses: “Hum hain mushtaq, aur yo bezaar, Ya Elahi ye maajra kya hai.”
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Every time I was leaving the mall or someone’s house with a screaming toddler throwing a tantrum, the following verses from Ghalib echoed in my mind: “Bohat be abro ho kar teray koochay se hum niklay.”

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My feelings whenever I have had to clean the toy room AGAIN after a very adventurous play date: “Mujhe kya bora tha marna, agar eik baar hota.”

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Ghalib on my unhealthy snacking: “Use ko dekh kar jeetay hain, jis kaafir pe dum niklay.”

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On my aspirations when I piled all these books to read for the winter break: “Hazaron khawaheshein aise ke har khawahish pe dum nikley.”

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Anticipating my husband’s text message response after I suggested Humsafar for movie night : “Qasid ke aatay aatay khat eik aur likh rakhon, mein jaanta hon jo yo likhein ge jawab mein.”

A little background information: I love Pakistani dramas while my husband has the sad misfortune of seeing a crying woman every time he has popped in while I’m watching one!

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The picture above is our walk to school this winter, when a -16 C one morning felt great after days of -26 C. Reminded me of the famous lines: “Mushkelein mujh per pare itni, keh asaan ho gayen.”

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I stumbled across this picture of mine from my single days, posing in Florida without a screaming child in the background. Made me wonder what was in that bag of mine when it obviously didn’t need to be stuffed with diapers, was I ever that thin and how I had all this time to pose on a bridge tilting that thin neck of mine?!? Ghalib truly captured my feelings with his timeless verse: “Jee dhondta hai phir yohi fursat ke raat din“.

Hope you enjoyed this tour of my Mom Life described in the words of Mirza Ghalib. Which verse of his describes a part of your day or phase in life? Would love to hear from you.

Salgirah Mubarik, Mirza Ghalib!

[Read More: Favorite verses of Allama Iqbal]

[Read More: Favorite verses of Faiz Ahmed Faiz]