Memories of My Mothers

February is heavy on me.

The month starts with the celebration of my brother’s birthday, but it is also the month in which my mother, Abida Sultana Chowdhry (d. Feb 12, 1999), and my paternal aunt, Zakia Ashraf Mughal (d. Feb 6, 2012), left this world. The dates fall within just 6 days of each other.

My mother, Ammi in Urdu, commanded respect from her three sons. As the eldest of the three I benefited from about 23 years in her shade. 21 years after her passing her example continues to provide me with protection and inspiration — every day. Sometimes, I think, she…