|
WHAT MUM TAUGHT ME
The Star, StarMag, May 14, 2006
MY mum taught me at a young age that life is tough. We needed to survive on my dad’s government servant pay, as she was not employed outside of our house. Mummy was the one who taught me not to waste food, electricity or water because daddy worked hard to pay all the bills so let’s not make it harder for him.
When I was nine and had a bad case of diarrhoea, my mummy taught me the meaning of a mother’s love. She was the one who stayed by my side all night as I sat on the toilet. She stayed by my side in the hospital through my hallucinations and my cries for Maggi mee (I was on a drip and couldn’t eat). And when I went home, she made my meals extra special.
|
| Mummy and me when I was about 4 years old.
|
|
Mummy was the one who comforted me every time some kid at school was cruel. She dried my tears, hugged me when I needed it and taught me not to wallow in self-pity. She taught me how to close one eye and shut both ears so as not to get hurt as much. And she taught me that a thick skin is needed to survive in a cruel world where your feelings get trampled on all the time.
But she also taught me how to be strong and stand up for my rights. She taught me not to let others bully me and to voice my opinion when I felt it needed to be voiced. She taught me to be proud of who I am and not be ashamed of anything I stand for, even if society doesn’t always agree with me.
My mummy taught me so many things. But most of all she taught me to be kind to others, to always help those I could and to be compassionate.
Today, mummy is not as strong as she used to be. But however weak she seems to be in her old age, my mummy has never lost her compassion. She still asks my sister to buy this or that for someone we know who is in need. I admonish her each time she inconveniences my busy sister to do things for other people and mummy will say this is the last time she’s helping that person.
But I know there will never be a last time because that’s just how mummy is. She loves with all her heart and she tries to look after everyone she knows.
Family members and friends still come over to sit by her side to share all their problems. I sometimes feel annoyed with all these people who pour out their troubles to mummy. She mulls over their problems and repeats them to my sisters and me for days after that. Every problem of theirs is taken to heart and she prays for each of those people and all of their problems. I also know that she will never stop being everyone’s confidant because that’s how she is.
I would be proud to be just half the woman that she is.
Mummy, I know you’re reading this because you have read all the stories I’ve ever written (even the techie ones!) and I just want to say: Sandy, Bren and I love you very much. Happy Mother’s Day, mummy!
Copyright Star Publications (M) Bhd
ALSO:
Problems on the website front, June 28, 2003
Daddy's Girl, June 25, 2002
Λ back
to top |
