An Ode to all Moms, our best teachers!
No one in this world is untouched by pain, struggle, hardship, suffering, grief, negativity, or brokenness. At various points in life, we all experience moments when we feel broken. In those times, many people give up and break down, but a few persevere and break through—with grit, determination, and resilience.
In 2014, when I conceptualized and created this unique oratory to teach the science of resilience and the law of transformation, I decided to call it “The moJOsh magnificent Magnificent 7.” The name is inspired by the first movie (The magnificent 7 with Yul Bryner) my mother and I watched together at Liberty Cinema in Bombay, a year after my mother concluded the 1-year muring ceremony after the untimely passing of my father, Wilfred Simon Almeida, on December 16, 1978. I was only eight years old, overwhelmed with grief and the loss of a parent and our family’s provider.
Our mother, Betty Martins, a peaceful warrior who embodied the principles of The moJOsh Magnificent 7, spent her life fighting injustice and wrongful denial of her rights as a daughter and daughter-in-law. She was my first teacher, showing me the importance of standing up for what is right, correcting wrongs, and being resilient, adaptive, and tenacious in facing failures, hardships, and suffering—especially after we lost my father and were deprived of our property rights, comfort, and security. From her, I learned to remain strong and steadfast in adversity, drawing on inner strength and perseverance. She taught me never to give up or break down, but rather to break through by harnessing the power of the mind and taking action within our circle of influence.
Our mother not only gave me a solid education but also imparted vital lessons in life, leadership, and learning how to learn. Though her formal education was limited, she was a fount of wisdom and common sense. She taught me my first lessons—helping me learn the alphabet, use the abacus, and understand that in life, as in learning, we must crawl and walk before we run. Despite life’s challenges, she encouraged me to sing, dance, laugh, and remain playful and childlike. She also taught me to live simply, with integrity, humility, compassion, gratitude, honesty, courage, and righteousness. As a teacher and leadership coach, I strive to share this inspiration with others, just as I learned from my mother.
In 2019, life came full circle when my alma mater, St. Xavier’s High School (SXHS) – Fort, Bombay, invited me as the chief guest for its sesquicentennial (150-year) closing ceremony, titled "A Million Dreams." I shared the occasion with the esteemed Major General Ian Cardozo, a friend, Karmaveer awardee, and senior alumnus. During my speech, I said to the gathering of students and parents, “My mother is the real chief guest; I made it to Xavier's because of her sacrifices and dreams for a holistic education at this prestigious institution.” My joy was boundless when the school management, in an impromptu gesture, invited my mother to launch the sesquicentennial memoir book—a priceless gift that no amount of money could ever buy.
My mother, who was later diagnosed with cancer, passed away on July 19, 2022, just as we begann planning to launch the Tmm7 hybrid public events. The Tmm7 initiative, as well as the lines I wrote on the day of her funeral, are tributes to my mother and to the positive contributions and values she instilled in my life. I also wish to acknowledge my mother-in-law Malkit "Mini" Grewal who was a great friend to my Mum and added huge value and made positive contributions in my mum's life and all our lives.
My mother’s birthday, May 10, often fell near Mother’s Day, and in 2015, it coincided exactly. On that day, I shared a simple tribute, which IMHO, I feel is a tribute to all our Mums who are our best and biggest teachers.
“You are the driving force in our lives. We are because of you. I am because of you. Thank you for everything.”
Mother, you were so little and young
Just a few years ago
You had many loves, passions and dreams
Which for your children you let go
While you showered us with love and nurtured us
Helping us to become and grow
You watched us repeat the mistakes
You had made before
But that made you hold us tighter,
Empowering and encouraging us even more.
Perhaps we didn’t always consider
The circumstances you had seen—
To us, you were simply our ‘Mother’,
Without thinking of all you could have been.
But now, with love, we remember
Your life from beginning to end;
And we are so grateful to have known you,
To have you as our dear Mother—
Our anchor, enabler, teacher, mentor,
Guide, philosopher, and friend.
