Slice Of Life: ‘I am working to help my struggling daughter’

I am from Chengalpattu. I came to Chennai at the age of 20 when I got married. Life has been a struggle from then. I have four children – three daughters and one son. My husband died 25 years ago after my first daughter got married. I worked hard, sold flowers and somehow managed to get my other children married. Now, my son is working and taking care of the family. I am worried about one of my daughters who is having an unstable marital life. Even though my son doesn’t want me to work, I have no other choice as my daughter is suffering to raise her children. I can’t depend on my son to help her as his income is sufficient only for his family. Before, I was just selling flowers but managed to keep a tender coconut stall as previous business became dull. No one is keen on buy flowers nowadays and I would get money only on auspicious days. It is difficult to procure flowers during rainy season. I will shut this tender coconut stall after summer as it is also seasonal. I start my work around 6 am and finish by 7 pm. I earn Rs 500 to Rs 1000 per day. I have even borrowed some money. My aim is to pay off all my debts and see my daughter living happily with her family.