This question was first properly presented to me during a Form 5 Physics tuition class (don't ask why, the teacher was a philosopher who did a handstand in class once) and I gave it careful consideration.
Myself?
Pain, pleasure, the only thing that really matters to anyone or compels to do anything at all is if the consequence is imminent on that person. Then I realised, oh wait, I'd walk through a spider infested cave (I have arachnophobia) than let my mum have to touch a slithery serpent (she has ophidiophobia).
So my answer was my mother. Granted, there are a few other individuals I'd make an equally huge sacrifice for but that's irrelevant today -the 28th of October, because it's the birthday of the most important person in my life.
I thought to myself, I could wish my mum and tell her how great a human being she is... but hey, why not let the whole world know? My mum, the modest little lady that she is, always downplays her talents/quirks/amazingness anyway.
Let's begin !
1. My mum has a sense of humour
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| Taken at the trick art museum in I-City. We were adamant in not making the same, stereotypical poses people did in these places. What my mum chose to do here tickled me nicely. I was pleasantly impressed. |
Growing up, humour has been an essential gluing agent in our family bonding. Everyone in our family has a unique sense of humour and together, the chemistry and intimacy I feel is beyond comparison. My mum is very well aware her sense of humour is too grown up and sometimes unfunny to us kids but that never hindered her in always trying to give us a good laugh. Now that is sacrifice; at her expense.
Not to mention, her laugh is a hearty one that tickles your eardrums which makes you always want to make her laugh. Like, so hard that she snorts by accident.
Funny sounding words or noises work quite well.
2. She loves food
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| Omnom-noming and looking all pretty and fancy at Advanti on a special ocassion |
Our family is a huge fan of nosh; you can tell by our average size. And while there's no doubt as to my mum's culinary expertise, she knows we love certain food you just have to go out for. I love when she could've made dinner but she heard you say lately that you've been craving something and she wiggles her eyebrows at you, suggesting we go eat there instead. The idea may be incredulous, but simple notions like this make us feel all warm and cozy inside.
She also goes out of her way to get something that she knows makes you happy, like, bubble tea or sushi.
Needless to say, she's memorised the favourite food of her little piglets (daddy included).
3. She's a sporting woman
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| Mum and dad flexing at a breakfast in Hong Kong |
She and my dad were sporty people in their teens and adolescent-hood. We go play tennis once in a while as a family. She knows the importance of being healthy and encourages us to play a sport or two, of course, reminding us that studies still take priority. She'd very often go to the nearby lake for a morning walk with my grandma. I never regretted all the few times I decided to drag myself out of bed for those. Nothing like alone time and long conversations with one of your best friends around a huge pool of water.
4. She's gentle, understanding, forgiving yet solid as a rock
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| Carrying a relative's adorable baby, ever the face of youth and peaches and Spring and blossoms and pretty, feminine yet strong things. |
She's been through a lot of drama as is expected with life. But the nicest people tend to encounter the worst kind of monsters disguised as family or friends and my mum has been through a ton of poop. Still, one thing my mum never does is hold grudges. She believes in second chances and we all know how difficult it is to do that.
In emotionally charged situations, she keeps her cool and carries on. You won't see this woman crumble.
5. She's intelligent and hardworking
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| Doing just what the cameragirl desires |
She worked as a HR manager until I turned 7 or so. She gave it up to be closer to her children and also to make sure every vital step they took in their important childhood happened under her nose. She never really got back to work although we all know how much she loved and misses it. She says it's not a big deal, but she's also mentioned the things she missed about work.
Nevertheless, she keeps herself updated with the news; be it political, business or general knowledge. She's never short on things to say in a conversation; I'm not even talking about small talk or meaningless gossip. She holds her own in chats with the aunties and more serious conversations with the uncles. She knows what's up when we go to see people about a certain business because she makes sure she does her homework beforehand.
These are my parents; umbrellas at the ready at the slight sound of thunder.
I've got a lot to learn from them.
Also, lazy is just not a word she's familiar with. Incredibly disciplined and hardworking, I don't think she even slacked with homework in primary school.
6. She's a lovely, chatty person
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| Again, being the object of my lens' affection |
Unlike myself, a self-proclaimed introvert who is mostly socially awkward, my mother is a natural in social situations. She always talks to my friends when they come over, making sure they have a drink if they want one and that I don't let them do their own dishes. Whether she's giving Janet's friends a ride home, welcoming Jenny's project partners to the study or thanking my friends for the ride home, she's there with a smile and a friendly question. With friends and relatives, she's one of the people laughing the loudest or the one to approach the ones less comfortable in said social settings.
Poised with a lovely, welcoming smile on her lips, no social event is intimidating to her.
We're at McDonald's drive-through and she manages a brief conversation with the cashier.
7. She's selfless
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| My 21st birthday with the cake she and my aunt designed together |
She always wants you to be happy; but she still wants you to study though she knows that doesn't make you very happy.
She likes to be able to give you good food; but she also tells you when you're getting a little chubby.
She doesn't bother with getting credit. Selfless really is the word. Your happiness is her concern.
8. She won't give up on you
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| At the trick art museum in I-City. Jenny's rear causes havoc that my mum tries to contain |
When you seem to come from different planets and she is unable to get to you or help you in the first place, she won't stop trying till she is able to help. She ponders over matters for a long time if she is unable to.
9. She's a vital piece in our awesome family puzzle
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| Our family with popo <3 |
Do I really need to explain this?
10. She's my best friend
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| Me back-hugging mummy in Awana Kijal |
I've had people tell me 'family doesn't count' when I say my best friends are my mum, my sister and my cousin.
And it may not be apparent, but I'm incredibly lucky. All this time I thought everyone was close to their family, that family was everyone's sanctuary. I only appreciated that this is not the case half of the time.
That said, I have absolutely no qualms in saying that my mum is one of my best friends.
In all the time we've spent together, we've shared secrets, had laughs at the ridiculous bits of life, cried over mistakes and the list is endless.
I always enjoy those mornings or long afternoons we have to ourselves; she'd take me along when she had to pay the bank a visit and we'd have a snack after because, well, snack.
- THE END -
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| Mummy and daddy getting excited over some Taiwanese sweet potato :) |
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| Mummy showing the whale some love at the trick art museum in I-City |
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| On mother's day; just some girls who really love and appreciate the woman in the middle |
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| Mummy, daddy and I all smiles |
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| Marina Bay Sands |
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| My favourite people |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUMMY ! <3
IN CASE IT WASN'T CLEAR IN THIS BLOG POST, YOU'RE AMAZING !
I MISS YOU A LOT
THIS IS YOUR FIRST BIRTHDAY WITHOUT ME FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE I WAS BORN BUT, IT WILL BE THE SECOND LAST YOU'LL HAVE IT WITHOUT ME
AFTER I COMPLETE THE BAR, WE'LL ALWAYS CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY TOGETHER
HAVE AN AWESOME TIME AND TELL ME ABOUT IT AFTER :)
LOVE,
WEI WEI
