:: our words to mothers ::

Last week, the tutees were assigned a task of composing letters to their mothers - in line with the upcoming Mother's day.
The responses, interestingly, not only voiced out hopes & wishes for their mothers but also confessions were made, just simply the things mothers should never know about.

Some of these sharing should be familiar to most of us for regardless of age, deep down we
(1) don't like to be told what to do
(2) hear constant nagging
(3) keep secrets from them otherwise they will go ballistic once the truth is revealed
(4) take their presence for granted
(5) know we can never meet their expectations
(6) love them too much despite all of the above.

Derrick wrote :
'Dear Mum,
I know that you do not want me to buy things without you knowing but I buy some things, but I stop it last year. I wish that you can spend more time with me. You always want the "impossible". I cannot do it. Why must you want me to get band 2 for English? Why can't I use my Chinese & Maths marks to go to good schools? If you want it, I will try my best. I am not what you think I am, sometimes I talk in class. You always say before I speak and scold me even though I do what you want me to do.'

Sim Eing wrote :
'Dear Mum,
Although you are always nagging, but I know that you are doing for my own good. I have secrets that you did not know. I tell you that I have remedial classes at school, actually, I am lying. I am actually going Bugis with my classmates and friends. I hope that you would forgive me! I wish that you can be with me for a longer time. So that we can go shopping more often. I appreciate you for bringing me up from a playful baby to a mature girl now. I know that sometimes I make you angry, but I really hope that you will forgive me. I hope that you cannot be so naggy, but only sometimes being naggy.'

Breton wrote :
'Dear Mum,
I know that you do not know that I appreciate all your nagging and all that what you did for me. I actually run my own business in school earning at least $3 per week. This helps me get the money that I use to buy in the book shop. Hope you thrive at work, gain more bonus and do not fall sick so often. Happy mothers' day!'

Kah Heng in his optimism wrote
'Dear Mum,
Thank you for taking care of me and bring me out and play. You often nag because you love me. I am very happy that you care about me so much.'


Mothers, despite their imperfections & flaws, show their love in ways we can't never truly comprehend.
And I guess, unless you enter motherhood, you can never know what it means to love unconditionally, care for someone above yourself, constantly worry about another's safety, put all hopes in another, to educate & impart knowledge, mould character & learn the true meaning of sacrifice.

In the 'altered' words of the Spartan Queen in 300,
'Only mothers give birth to real men & women'.