I read on Twitter that the great Indian actor, Irrfan Khan passed away this morning after a long battle with cancer, at the age of 53. He primarily acted in Indian movies and was a Bollywood superstar, but we Americans would recognize his handsome face in movies such as Slumdog Millionaire, Life of Pi and Jurassic World. He left behind his wife and two sons, and millions of adoring fans. Apparently, in his final minutes of life he mentioned to his wife that “Amma” had come to help him to transistion. Apparently his last words were, “Amma has come to take me.” Khan was referring to his own mother.
I remember hearing the name “Amma” before, so I did some research. Here is some of the meanings that I found for the word “Amma”.
Amma means “born on Saturday” (African), “mother” (Basque), “water” (Native American) and “maid” (Arabic). (charlies-names.com)
“Amma” means “Mother” in many south Indian languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and also in other languages and their dialects spoken in central and northern parts of India. It means the same in some other non-Indian languages also, such as Sinhalese. (Quora)
An Amma is someone who would literally do anything for her children and grandchildren. She is someone who cannot ever be replaced,no matter what. She is someone that never gives up and fights until she wins, and she always wins. She is the strongest person that you will ever meet and if you are sick and afraid, being with her makes all your fears disappear. She is someone that God took extra time on and made to be the most amazing person on this earth. But most of all she is someone that no matter what will love you unconditionally forever. She is a superhero, our superhero. (Urban Dictionary)
Amma is also the living “hugging guru”. This cheerful, warm, guru goes around the world giving hugs to people sometimes 17 hours straight, without so much as taking a bathroom break. She has given more than 33 million hugs to date, all around the world.
Friends, if ever there was a time we needed our Amma, it is now. Find your Amma. Whether your Amma is your own mother, or your grandmother, or your auntie, or your sister, cousin, or a special teacher or a friend, or a mix of every strong, compassionate female essence, who has every touched your life, find her presence. Perhaps your Amma is Mother Earth. Perhaps she is a spirit guide that lives inside of you. Perhaps Amma is an ancient tree, who stands tall through many storms. Perhaps she is a gallant female pet who protects you fiercely and loyally. Perhaps your Amma is You. Perhaps Amma is a mix of all of these wonderful women who have comforted you and inspired you and who have loved you fiercely and unconditionally. Find your Amma in your heart, and feel her holding you tight. Feel Amma guiding you through this very difficult time in the world. Feel your Amma’s reassurance, and her soft comforting, and her soothing lulls, and her utter kindness. Allow your Amma to keep your wrapped up in a hug for the entire day and let her guide you tenderly. Feel the relief of just resting safely in your Amma’s arms and in her heart. And know that everything will be okay.