Mum, Happy Father's Day!

Yesterday night (5th of June, 2009), I asked my mum a question that sounded silly but for me, that was food for thought, actually.

"Mum, how am I going to celebrate Father's Day for you?" "Don't be silly!" she briefly replied. I rebut, "You are taking up the responsibility as a father as well, it's not wrong to celebrate Father's Day for you." "Not need, not need." was another brief reply from her. Then, I went off to my bedroom.

My mum took on the role as a single mother when I was three. Her love one died in an accident. As a little woman who just had the qualification that was equivalent to Form 3 today, she had to support the whole family on her own. There were my grandparents, a 1-year-old younger brother, and a youngest one in my mum's warm worm, in the family, then. That was an extremely tough task for the little woman.

Luckily, one of my uncles came to our help. My mum became a clerk in his company. That was indeed a great help for my mum, although her salary was not high. At least she had some money to support her family.

My mum used to be in a considerably rich family and to lead a luxurious life before she was married. Even after she married my dad, she could have led a good life as well, because I was told that my dad was diligent and managed to run a business of repairing motorcycles. His business was good. My mum could probably stay at home and take good care of her parents-in-law and children.

However, everything changed after my father had passed away.

Apart from taking care of the house, she still had to go to work outside by a motorcycle. Every time when it rained, it was so heart-breaking to see her soaked with rain water when she came back from work in the evening. What could she do? For her family, she had to endure that and get back to work as a housewife to cook for us.

Due to give her children a better life and a better education, she had to be thrifty. Most of the times, she only had a cup of MILO as her breakfast. Moreover, she was willing to work for her friend to sell vegetables under a hot sun simply to get some income. She got darker and her hands got rougher and rougher then. She has turned from a little woman to a tough one. She could bear whatever hardships for the sake of her children.

My mum has done a great job. Even though she has had a difficult time, she still can send us for private tuitions and also give us everthing a normal child can have. Every year, I still can go to Singapore for trip! It really does not seem like I come from a single-parent family. It is obvious that all her sacrifices have given us good life and pleasures.

Mum, you have done very well as a single mother. You act as a good mother as well as a good father. Whether you like it or not, allow me to wish you Happy Father's Day. You deserve it.