After my second child in 1966, I wanted to do something more than just be at home and look after the children, so I joined a ladies' group who were co-workers of Mother Teresa. This group made special paper packets designed by Mother, so that the lepers could take their pills without help.

Mother would drop in occasionally at these meetings. It was at one such meeting in 1967 that I first met her. When I shook hands with her, I felt a warmth and strength that I cannot explain. Little did I know that I would have the privilege of working with her for the rest of her life. Happily, I continue to help the Missionaries of Charity, till this day.

Mother was a Virgo, like me. So, we got along very well. All work had to be done instantly. Whenever she called me for some work, she expected a call back as early as possible.

Don't worry, I'll send you my ambulance

Somehow she could always sense if you were actually doing the work or just bluffing. One evening, we were having a party at home when Mother called me to come to Mother House for some work. I told Mother that my driver had gone home. Promptly she said, "Don't worry, I'll send you my ambulance." Taken aback, I apologised and told her the truth. "Never mind," she said lovingly, "you can come tomorrow morning". That was the first and last time I tried to bluff her. She had the ability of seeing through you.

One of her greatest strengths was her humility. Apart from her organisational skills, she tackled the complex civil and police regulations for all her homes and work, always at the lower levels and made friends with them so that she did not disturb the top bosses. All of them willingly co-operated with her and always helped her out.

I remember an incident when Mother was very sick with a heart problem. She was being shifted from Woodlands nursing home to the Birla heart hospital. She was being carried out on a stretcher when she suddenly said, "Ajoy, kemon achho," to one of the bystanders. I was very surprised and asked her, 'How do you know him?' "He is a driver of the Calcutta Corporation ambulance," said Mother. "I call him when I need to pick up an abandoned destitute from the footpath. He comes with the ambulance immediately and takes care of all the formalities." This connect at the lower levels helped cut out red tape and get immediate help.

I recall another incident, when our jockey Dwayne Woods had a riding accident on the race course, and broke his back. His parents asked us to request Mother to come and pray for him in hospital. It was mid-afternoon, and Mother was to catch a flight that evening, but she still agreed. When we arrived with Mother, we were rudely told by the receptionist, that it was not visiting hours, and Mother couldn't see Dwayne. We were amazed and my husband Naresh got into a heated argument with the receptionist.

Mother was quiet for a while, then told us the receptionist was only doing his duty. There was an uneasy silence. Struck by Mother's humility, the receptionist suddenly changed his mind and allowed us to go up. Being humble was one of Mother's virtues.

Don't be scared, just smile and walk in

I used to visit and work at several of Mother's homes happily. After a while, Mother realised that I was hesitant to go and work at Nirmal Hriday - the home of the dying. So one day, she personally escorted me there, to help me get over my fear of seeing the suffering of some of the dying inmates. She said, "You don't have to be scared when you see the inmates, just smile and walk in. When you see them you'll find the inmates are happy to see you."

In Mother's homes, all the sisters and volunteers are always smiling and working. The atmosphere is calm and full of love. Going with her made me strong enough to see such human suffering.

Working with her was a pleasure. She had a good sense of humour. One day we were driving past Victoria Memorial and she said, "Why can't they give this monument to me to house my poor?" She was obsessed to just look after and work for the poor.

You sit the way you do for your prayers

Mother was above religion. It didn't matter to her which religion you belonged to. She looked after everybody. Many of her homes all over the world are built and donated by people of all religions, companies and trusts. We always went to pray with her before taking a flight abroad. She'd take us to the chapel and say, "You sit the way you do for your prayers and I will kneel and say my prayers." Then she would pray for our safe journey to and fro.

To work with Mother Teresa in a way was relaxing. There was no demand or pressure. You could go when you had the time. She would always say, "You look after your home and family first and then come to me." All this made us so comfortable.

Travelling with Mother was a great experience. It revealed the deep love and respect she enjoyed all over the world. At Heathrow airport, Englishmen in bowler hats would put down their briefcases and clap when the saw her. Many people wanted to be blessed by her. Once at Rome airport there was a near stampede. Since Mother never had any booked luggage, I too decided to carry all my belongings in a small air bag, so that Mother did not have to wait for my luggage.

I fill my tank with prayer

She maintained a more than hectic pace, attending to her work and it was impossible for me to keep up with her. I was totally exhausted and requested for a break. I asked her how she could work continuously without resting. She smiled and said, "Sunita, I fill my tank with prayer!"

I remember, one day, she decided to give away her awards and use the money for the poor. She brought out a cloak that she was given at the University of Cambridge, where she had received an award. She handed it to me and said, "This is for you, it suits your style." Of course, I didn't accept it. She was aware that I liked to dress stylishly and often complimented me on my clothes.

She was my role model, inspiration for my paintings and whatever I did. When I used to go to her, very affectionately she would ruffle my hair. You know how a woman feels when her hair's done and somebody ruffles her hair! But with her, I really didn't care!

Mother always said there would be criticism. She used to say let's pray for the person criticising you instead of fighting or attacking the person. That definitely helped me. She really helped me throughout my life.

She never wanted to be on a pedestal. She was down-to- earth, simple and relaxed.

In the 30 years that I spent with her, I learnt all about life, especially to give love, dignity and service to the poor, irrespective of race and religion. I miss her every day.

She was a true saint.

Share your memories of Mother at ttmetro@abpmail.com