It starts with a miraculous first embrace, then the gentle hug of warmth. A stroke of strength with the growing years that toughen each year that passes by.

The gentle whisper of lullabies, to the Rock a bye Baby in Cradle, Snow White fairy tales to the Goldilocks and the Three Bears mystery. The temptations of Winnie the Pooh Bear’s honey, graduating to the encyclopaedias of Know How's of the world. The know your facts to hopping over to the course books in the classroom.

The layers of motherhood bring forth a new face to life and its stages. The comfort and warmth of storytelling in cosy bed to the push of facts of the "Know How's" of the world. The warnings and the alert thrown every step forward, preparing for a firm foot to survive a tough wave. The heart of steel, shines on to help ride this tricky wave and not be knocked over.

A Mother is the beginning, and Motherhood a Journey, that peels many layers to find a true Soul. A Soul, who leads a way to life of comfort, knowledge, challenges, love and heartbreaks, to find a "Path to Life".

Thank you, Mom, to show me a path to life and its journey. You have been truly beautiful in every way and at every peel of emotion.

To the World, you are a Mother... To your family, you are the World
- Anonymous

Photography: Manasi Kochhar