Mom...Happy Mother's Day!

That's my mom doing one of her routine chores...clearing dead leaves. The creepers are no longer there now and mom has one less thing to keep her occupied. She wakes up early in the morning and joins her batch of elderly friends at the park for her daily lesson of Qi Qong. That and a walk in the evening after dinner is how she stays active.

I remember when I was younger, I wished I was like my mom. Having to go to work and be out of the house. I couldn't recall that she had to tend to housework too at that time, as everything seem to be fun and games for me. She really didn't have a easy life, coming from a family of 7 other siblings. She is a filial daughter, being the eldest, my grandma relied on her the most. As kids, they had to do odd jobs like sewing just to earn that bit of extra income and somehow that bit went a long way. In primary school, she was blessed as she had a group of lovely dear friends who insisted that she ate with them and took turns to buy her meals, as she couldn't even afford a simple bowl of noodles which was just a mere 5 sen in those days.

I love listening to her stories of yesteryear as that is my way of getting to know my mom as a friend and not just as my mother. She has been through quite a lot; surviving Japanese occupation when she was a kid, contributing more than her fair share with her odd jobs to improve the welfare of her siblings...and perhaps the only event I was physically around to see her deal with; the passing of my Dad. My mom is a strong woman but most of all, she's a woman who knows that LIFE goes on ... Some things are better; we all get better, when we learn to let go.

And now, in her grey years (her hair is darker than mine actually!), she has taken it easier and she is learning to enjoy her life. Relax Mom, it's now YOUR turn and YOUR time to enjoy LIFE! This post may be 2 days early (but better early than late or never!)...Here's wishing you, from the bottom of my heart, a very

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~ Tenneva Jordan

P.S. To my blog readers who are MOTHERs, this warm greeting goes out to you all too! You all have my respect for who you are and what you do in this special role of yours!