Mother's day

12th May 2007 – My FIRST mother’s day

I did not celebrate Mother’s day yesterday. It was spent with my parents and Isaac. Desmond had to work thus; my parents came over to help me look after Isaac whilst I cleaned up the whole house. So, Mother’s Day is actually a labour day for me. As for my mummy, I celebrated with her last week with a buffet lunch and bird nest from Eu Yan Sang.

The origin of Mother’s day started with the Greeks, who held festivities to honor Rhea, mother of all gods. The early Christians celebrated the Mother’s festival on the fourth Sunday of Lent to honor Mary, mother of Jesus. This was then extended to include all mothers and it was known as Mothering Sunday. Mothering Sunday was then discontinued by the English colonists who settled in America because of the lack of time. (Probably, they were busy conquering lands!!! Ha Ha)

In 1907, Anna M Jarvis began a movement to set up a national Mother’s Day in honour of her mother. Slowly and truly, Mother’s Day flourished and evolved into a much-commercialised day.

Until 20th November 2006, I never realise what it takes to be a mother and appreciate the self-sacrificing nature of a mother. I mean, I love my mother; I will not hesitate to pamper her or do my best for her, material and non-material wise. As long as within my means, I will provide. However, it took me 30 years to appreciate the true meaning of a mother. I never understand how tough it was for my mother to bring us up without any extra help until I had to take care of Isaac. I was lucky cos Isaac is very obedient and I had the help of my mother. I heard from my mother that my brother and I were pretty tough babies.

No words can express how grateful I am towards my mother. Her love and concern for us is endless, it starts from the moment we are inside her womb and continues even though we are grown up and are able to fend for ourselves.