My mother, my pillar

WOMEN are wonders of the world, there’s no doubt about it. It’s no wonder then, that Women’s Day is celebrated globally. I write this today to thank my mum for being such a pillar of strength for me and my family. Words cannot fully express my feelings for my mother. She’s indeed a blessing from God.

She faced her first obstacle when her mother (my grandmother) passed away leaving my mother early in her adolescence. Nevertheless, my mother grew strong and shaped her own destiny.

My mother, a Penangite, got married in her early 30s to my papa who was from Malacca.

They settled down in Seremban, and that was difficult for her as she was homesick.

Nevertheless, she weathered all storms, working endless nightshifts as a nurse. When she gave birth to me, she switched jobs so she would get the day shift and would be able to care for me.

She gave me all the attention a kid could ever want – I was a diamond in her eyes, though in reality, just a round bubbly kid.

Last year, even if only for a second, I thought I lost everything in a freak accident.

Those four minutes of lying upside down in my vehicle changed everything.

Bleeding, and with shattered glass all over the road, I could see people in other vehicles thinking twice if they should help or not, people taking photos from their vehicles instead of lending a hand ... fortunately, my family, by God’s grace, escaped with only minor cuts and bruises.

My papa had a deep cut but nothing surgery couldn’t fix. I still remember how it felt thinking that I was about to lose my loved ones, but then miraculously, we were all given a second chance.

And that’s why I want to say how grateful I am for my family.

When Women’s Day came around this year, I truly wanted to make this shout-out for my mother.

My mother has always been a generous and kind soul. She looked after other people’s children as her own.

Yet, not so long ago, when her health started deteriorating, I was sad that no one really came up to acknowledge or appreciate the things she had done for them.

Thank God, my father and my sisters were around to help take care of my mother.

Happy Women’s Day, mother. You are my pillar of strength. (And also to my papa, whose love and support has been a constant.)

I love you very much mummy, you taught me patience and love. I salute and will love you always.

To all the ladies and mothers out there, every day is Women’s Day.