A Kiss, A Legacy

 

 

A kiss that carried all the love unexpressed, emotions untold, and thoughts undelivered in a single moment - that was my mother’s kiss on my forehead on my wedding day, when I bent to receive her blessings before stepping into a new chapter of my life. The impact of that one kiss - perhaps the last she ever gave me, has overshadowed the thousands that came before.

Her kindness, brilliance, strong will, and resilience have always mesmerized me. I loved the way she smelled - when she hugged me, her warmth enveloped me in a soothing fragrance I could never quite decipher. It still amazes me that, at times, I sense that very same fragrance when I hold my daughters close or press a kiss upon their foreheads.

And so, though I love my children deeply, I find myself hugging them whenever I can, just to feel you near me. Selfish of me, isn’t it? But I cannot help it.

Amma, you were so beautiful. When you smiled, a gentle shyness lingered on your face. The slight tilt of your head when you giggled, your eyes narrowing in playful naughtiness - oh, I miss everything.

But you know, Amma, you have passed that smile on to me. It has become a signature uniquely ours. I feel both proud and content when those who know us see your face reflected in mine. And so, your fragrance remains, your smile lingers and the legacy of that single kiss lives on – from you, through me into your granddaughters!

© Anjana Premkumar 2026