On a rather frenzied evening, I told my younger brother Linus, "Mum has become very negative lately. She whines about her lack of appetite and complains about our cooking...the food's either too salty or too bland, she doesn't enjoy anything..."
His short reply made me feel so proud of him as a brother, and so ashamed of myself.
"But she had been our pillar of support."
That's all he said. And that's all that matters. How can I forget her devotion as a wonderful mother. Growing up, she was the one we ran to for comfort "I have a tummyache!" and for answers "Why is the sky blue?"
When Linus was little, he followed mum around the garden and asked difficult questions, "Why are you killing that plant?"
When mum replied that it's a weed, he would retort, "Maybe it's a medicinal plant!" He was an adorable kid (Ting looks just like him), always full of logic and theories. Being 4-5 years younger than us, he spent the most amount of time with mum while we were in school. Every now and then, he still turns to her for advice and guidance.
At her regular check-up last week, the doctor asked mum "How are you feeling lately?" As usual, mum rattled off about how the treatment had affected her general well-being (lack of appetite, dizziness, headache, fatigue etc). The doctor gave a knowing smile "The good news is the tumour has stopped growing, so we should stop blaming it for upsetting your life. It's time for you to enjoy your golden years."
Mum left the hospital with renewed vitality. Yesterday, she said the tension in her head has gone and even proudly declared that she had helped the workers cut some orchids (for the past few months, she had barely stepped into the garden).
When I was out in the yard this morning, I saw her walking into the orchid garden with a spring in her steps, the sun in her hair. I think she's determined to enjoy her golden years already!
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7 comments:
Our minds are amazing. If we focus on the reality we want, even if we don't achieve it exactly, it makes the reality we have much more enjoyable. What is it they say, "Perception is reality.
What a great lady your mom is for heeding the doctor's advice, and deciding to live each day to the fullest.
I always admire people who are very positive and who are willing to feel every single day as an opportunity to discover wonderful surprises :)
Have a nice Sunday!
Yes Holly. She constantly needs that reassurance from others. Recently her old friends came to visit her and soon they were all discussing about their ailments...breast cancer, factured leg, brain tumour etc... after that, mum realised she's not alone.
You have a good Sunday too, Wen! Mine is almost over. (that's looking from the half-empty glass point of view...not very positive...)
AWWWWWWWWWW...this is such a WONDERFUL post to read, Blur! I'm SO happy for you that your Mom's decided to enjoy her golden years. :-)))) And esp. that the tumour has stopped growing. And that you have such a positive brother! ;-D
So much wisdom in his words.
What great news! I am so happy for you and your mom.
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