A Special Day For Mums
Children in Fiji yesterday treated their mums for Mother’s Day – either taking them out or just spending the day amongst family and friends. Indeed it was heart-warming to see all mums being treated with so much love and respect. But one thing which comes to mind when looking at this is – why can’t we treat our mothers in such a way daily?
After all, she cooks, cleans and takes care of the whole family 365 days a year – and there is no leave applicable in her job description. Even when she is sick herself, she ensures she puts others needs before her own.
Yet we see children constantly disrespecting their mums, arguing with them and worse yet, ill-treating them. When we were too sick to get out of bed, it was our mums who took care of us to enable us to become strong enough to walk again. Yet why do we still see children leaving their mums at old people’s home or leaving them all by themselves when they get too sick to do anything for their children. This is the time our mums need us the most so why do we leave them in such a state?
Often girls defy all odds to look after their mums even after marriage. So why not treat their motherin-laws in the same way? After all, they are the ones who brought your husband into this world. We constantly hear of girls not treating their mother-in-laws well and family conflicts arising as a result.
It’s time to treat all mothers with the same level of love, dignity and respect. Remember, all women will become mothers at one point in their lives. Do unto others what you want others to do unto you. If you do not treat your mums or mother-in-laws well, there will be a time when your children and their spouses will not treat you well either. Social media has its own place. And it was indeed very good to see people posting on social media pictures wishing their mums well on this special day. But at the same time, it was sad to notice people were first to prioritise posting on social media rather than making the effort to actually wish their mums well in person first, especially those living in the same house. What is happening to our personal touch? There are many questions which the generations of today have to reflect on. They need to change. Mother’s Day should not just be a once in a year thing, but rather an integral part of our daily lives. Remember, our mums carried us in their wombs for nine months and delivered us after so much pain which only a mother can understand.
It is thus our responsibility, to look after our mums – not just once a year – but throughout our lifetime.