She was born into a rich family in the 1950's. Her family owns acres of fruits plantations, including durians, jackfruits and rambutans. Her father started out as a karang guni when he was only in his teens. Therefore, he truly is a true blue 白手起家的企业家！。
However, fate has it for her not a life of riches and luxuries. She was indeed born with a silver spoon. But alas, she was born as the 7th consecutive daughter of this family. As much as her parents wanted to keep her by their side, her grandmother insisted in giving her away! She wanted to buy 2 boys back as grandsons instead!
And so, she was given away to a family from a kampong. The couples brought a son from Malaysia and were childless since. When she arrived, her foster Mum got pregnant and everyone rejoices on how she’s the lucky charm of the family.
But, 10 months later, when the baby boy arrived, her father passed away suddenly from an acute illness! Now she became the curse to the family. What the villagers called “克父女”！。
Fortunately, her foster mum was a very strong and understanding woman. She never did believe in these superstitious stuffs and they moved on with their lives. Was there grief? Of course there is.
But with grief comes the appreciation of life as well. Life as a samsui woman and odd laborer was tough but she brought up these 3 kids nonetheless.
When this girl became a teen, she knew how hard her mum worked. She dropped out of the chance to advance to secondary school. Instead she started working as a maid for a foreign family in their mansion. Coming home only once a month, she brought back home all 13 dollars of wages.
Slowly, this woman grew up to be a very independent person, grounded with firm life values and principles. Even without any formal education, she later went on to work in a fabric factory. Of course Singapore underwent dramatic changes in the 60’s and 70’s. They moved to a 2 room flat and life was simple and plain.
She met a man at a friend’s bbq dinner and fall in love at 24. It was both love at first sight and both their very first relationship.
Love blossoms and 4 years later,
She got married at 28. Had her first girl at 29, 2nd boy at 30 and the youngest darling princess at 34! A small family who resided in Tampines since!
While raising her own family, she was a 酿豆腐 hawker, a seamstress and a waitress. She’s been a waitress since till today.
You see, my friends, here is a woman born rich, lived poor, and without much formal education! By a lot of aspects, she’s nothing near remarkable success or societal status. She has no grandeur dreams of owning a property, having neither an investment portfolio nor a German car. She is contented with watching hokkien operas on DVD and having her family, healthy and safe, by her side.
But to me, I’m very very fortunate to know this woman. In fact, we were very close for the past 24 years! That’s right, this woman is my mum. And to me, she’s the most beautiful, successful and strongest woman ever! She’s been through so much tough challenges in her own life.
And I believe many of you would have known that I’m not an easy kid to raise either. A thalassemia minor since a toddler, I’ve been on regular check ups to the hospital. Taking medications every day. But I did grow up to be a fit and healthy boy... Until when I’m about to reach age 16.
I suffered a massive stroke that left me paralyzed on my left side and unable to speak... On 12th Oct 1999’, weeks before my Os level. And it was with no known causes to my condition at such a tender age too!!
Throughout this tough and difficult journey, she was always there for me. I had 2 subsequent relapses; one in 2005, when i was paralyzed from the neck down , on adults diapers and unable to speak yet again. And of course the depression episode after that. And my recent relpase in june 2008!; to which they doctors had no explanations as well.
~~Day of my discharge in Dec 1999’. I was still wearing my white plastic leg brace splint on my left leg!~~
Times when I have given up, she held on. Times when I broke down, she remained strong like a rock. Times when I was struggling with bad thoughts (suicide attempts!); she kept her mind calm and still.
~Times when i frowned, she's always with a smile.. => Mother Day's celebration in 2003 “(
This woman, whom I can never ever replay her. I called her Mdm Poh, Mi Ma (instead of Ma MI); I want to tell her how much I loved her! And how much I am grateful to be alive so that I can replay and give her a good life from now onwards.
~~Smiles aplenty now!! => Mother Day's celebration 2007' ")~~
She cannot understand English and there is no way she can read nor understand this, my very first blog entry, dedicated to her.
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But I believe there are words that can be felt even without knowing the language. And that, my dear friends, is the word of love and gratitude.
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Javier.
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