A mother is one who loves unconditionally, nurtures and protects, leads by example and puts the needs of her family above her own.
My relationship with my Mom only drew closer after I became a Mom. Growing up, I was a ‘latch-key’ kid. I would come home to an empty house, settle my own lunch and warm up the dinner which my Mom had pre-cooked for my sister and I before she headed off to work. As the sole-bread winner, Mom held 2 jobs to clear the bottomless debts and to bring home the bacon.
A retro photo of my Mommy and I! |
I never see much of her. We would communicate by leaving little handwritten notes (in Chinese no less!) on the dining table or on the fridge door. If I had test (or exam) papers from school which required her signatures, I would leave them on the table attached with a note. She would place my weekly allowances on the table every Monday morning. Because Mom was busy making ends meet, as her firstborn, I assumed the role of disciplinarian-guardian to my sister, often shielding her from the taunts of loan sharks who came knocking in the dead of night.
Though it wasn’t the best form of parenting, she ensured bills are paid, our fees are never late and my sister and I never went hungry. We lived frugally – we never held fancy parties nor go on any family vacations (not even to Malaysia), we could not afford any music lessons or tuition but we never had to beg. The strong support from my Uncles and Aunties in Mom’s side of extended family ensured my sister and I feel little neglect. Despite these tough circumstances, Mommy never failed me. She was there to celebrate each major milestone in my life – my graduations, my ROMs, my wedding and the day I finally became a Mom. She was there when I was deep down in the valleys – when I sustained a terribly deep cut to my inner ankle at 9 yrs old, she rushed home from work and piggybacked me all the way to the A&E Department in Alexandra Hospital. When I suffered a horrid outbreak of severe Chicken Pox in my teens, she nursed me back to health….Even in the lowest point of my life when I lost 3 babies, she was there, silently grieving alongside me…
God works in miraculous ways. He used Dana to mend my awkward relationship with my Mom. Dana would show her affections in ways I never did. She held my Mom’s hands on long walks, she would throw hugs at my Mom whenever they meet and she plants kisses on her cheeks spontaneously. When I see the look on my Mom’s face, it’s a look of simple contentment and abundant love.
An outward expression of love is so precious… |
This Mother’s Day, join me as we honour the woman we call ‘Mom’, ‘Mummy’, ‘Ma’ , ‘Mi’ or ‘Mother’. Your tribute can come in the form of prose, poem or pictures. It could be your fondest memory of a meal she has cooked for you, a special skill she has passed on to you, or a special story which you hold dear in your heart…It could be your reflection of what Motherhood means to you, how it has moulded you and your recollections on your journey as a Mom. It could be little cards (or handicrafts or surprises) which your kids (or hubs) have gifted to you in appreciation of your dedication to the family. Let’s take a moment to celebrate this high calling of the Mothers in our lives and our own privileged destinies as Moms.
Join this Mothers’ Day ‘Home is where Mom is’ Linky which runs from now till Mothers’ Day (12 May 2013). Feel free to link up any of your thoughts, reflections and stories exalting Motherhood.
Adora says
This is so beautiful! I’m sure that the childhood you led has made you a much stronger person today. S glad to see little Dana so close to her granny!
p2me1a says
When you asked me to join this linky, I said okay, because you asked… but I didn’t know what to write. Now, having read your post… I know what to write 🙂
Lovely post! 🙂 Inspiring!