Mummy

One of the delights of my heart these days is watching my mother grow. For many years, she looked after Mama (her mother), Ee (her adopted sister, now in her late 80’s), my late sister Cynthia, my late father.

I was a growing up teen/young person trying to find myself. I always thought she was doing it because she was duty-bound. Her strict, no-nonsense ways kept me I suppose from seeing the soft side of her. We didn’t always get along.

But these days things are different. I’m enjoying 76-year-old Mum a lot more, as a sister, a friend, a prayer partner and partner in ministry. Over the past three months, with my hectic schedule, Mum has been taking over the hosting and care of 73-year-old Aunty. It is really a joy to see the playful little girl in my Mum come out. She laughs, she jokes and teases. There’s a sweetness, a nurturing side about her that I hadn’t seen before. Maybe I’ve grown up

Yesterday, I found out that she had taken seriously some of the things I had “taught” and “advised” her. I didn’t know she listened. But she did. I don’t remember having led her in Bible study, but she kept the notes all these years and initiated to do Bible study with Aunty. She reciprocates and initiates prayer with Aunty. She seems to have found a new life, a new ministry.

When I was about 12, my grandfather (Dad’s dad) died. It was the first death in my family that I experienced. It happened so quickly. I never got to say to Kong Kong the things I wanted to tell him. I learn very early in life how precious and short life is. My gifts to my late sister, to my late father and also to myself were the meaningful times I spent with them. Not the kind that was squeezed into at the last minute, but a slow consistent loving.

My heart’s wish is that Mum would have a rich and meaningful life for however long Father has ordained for her.  I want to make some good memories for us. A few days ago, I suggested we make a trip to the USA to see an old friend. I was really surprised that she got so excited about it.

What an adventure it is getting to know my mother. It puts a lot of hope in my heart that our twilights years do not have to end in droning and dragging and wasting away.

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be… Psalm 139:16