Saturday, February 23, 2008

Mom, I Love You

I read a certain story of a mother and found the idea pretty touching. So I decided to take that, and rewrite the story with my own touch. I hope this works. Here goes:

I hated my mother. I despised her. I always wished I had another mother. I wish I had a normal mother. And not this mother who only has one eye.

Since the time I could remember things, my mother only had one eye. When I was young, I used to ask her about it, and she only tell me it was an accident that made her lose an eye. It didn't have much impact when I was still very young, but as I grew up, I began to be afraid of letting other people know that my mother only had one eye. I was afraid of letting others know about my abnormal mother.

I remember almost everyday she would ask me to look at how beautiful this world is, to appreciate its beauty, to thank God for all the colours and wonders we can see in this world. I hate it when she keeps saying that to me. To me, its almost as if she's asking me to look at this world for her because she lost an eye. Its almost as if I was the one who made her lose an eye. I never said that to her. I just kept ignoring her.

There was once when I was at primary school. I forgot to bring an assignment which I finished last night. I didn't want to call my mother to bring it for me because I was afraid all the kids at school would see her. Besides, she's got to work at this time. So I kept quiet. But then, during my break time, while I was with my friends, I saw her carrying my assignment, walking towards me. Her, with only one eye, walkng to me in front of all my friends. I was so embarrassed and frustrated. She came over to me, smiling, and said "you left your homework on the table..." Before she could finish, I ran over to her, threw her a hateful look, grabbed my homework and ran off. She embarrassed me in front of all my friends.

The next day at school, all my friends were saying, "EEEEE, your mother only has one eye!!!" I was totally embarrassed. My mother had ruined me. I wanted to bury myself somewhere and not let others know where I was. I wanted my mother to just disappear. I wanted a normal mother. After school, I went home, in tears. Mother was waiting for me at the door, smiling. I went up to her, and screamed, "IF YOU ARE ONLY OUT TO MAKE ME A LAUGHING STOCK, WHY DON'T YOU JUST DIE?!?" My mother didn't reply me. She kept silent. The smile dropped off her face. I didn't care. I was very angry. I just pushed her aside and went into my room.

Since that day, I told myself I will work very hard to get out of the house, to get away from my mother. So I studied extremely hard, got a scholarship, got into an overseas university. After graduation, I got a job, got a house, got married, had kids. I was very happy with my life. I was very comfortable. My mother wrote to me almost every week. I didn't bother to read a single one of those letter.

One day, the doorbell rang. I opened the door and there she is. My mother, with only one eye. I was stunned. Then my children came along, saw my mum and cried. They were crying, "Why does she only has one eye?". At this, I was furious. I shouted at her, "Why do have to keep coming and screw up my life?!? Why do you have to scare my children like that?! GET OUT OF HERE NOW!" My mother was a little shocked, but she just answered quietly, "Oh.. sorry..." She passed me a letter. I tore it up into 2 right in front of her. She looked at my children and me for awhile. I told her "Fugh off." She turned and walked away slowly. I didn't realise this was the first time she saw her grandchildren.

I got a call from some of my friends from my old home town to gather for some reunion. So I went. I went to the town where I used to live in. After the reunion, I decided to go back to the old house to take a look. Not at my mother, but the house, since its where I spent my childhood in. I knocked on the door and no one answered. Then the neighbour came out and saw me. She asked if I was the son. I was reluctant but I said yes anyway. It was then that she told me my mother had passed away.

Then the neighbour said, "Oh, theres this letter which she asked me to help post it to you, I forgot about it, so I might as well give it to you now." She went into the house and came out to pass me a letter. I read it. It reads:

To my dearest son,

I am so sorry for coming to your house that day and scared your children. I heard that you are coming for the reunion. I am so happy you are finally coming back here. Please come and visit me ok? I am afraid I can't even get out of my bed now so I can't find you anymore.

I am so sorry for always being an embarrassment to you when you were growing up. You know, I was really happy that day to be able to see you with a happy life, a nice house, a nice family, and children! I am so happy to see your children! But you must treat your children nicely ok?

Actually, when you were just a very very small kid, you got into an accident and you lost one of your eye. I couldn't bear to look at you having to grow up with only one eye, so I asked the doctor to transfer one of my eye to you.

I am so happy for you, as you looked on cheerfully at all the beautiful creations God has made for us. I wanted you to be able to appreciate all the beautiful things that you could see. I am always very proud that you were able to see a whole new world with that eye that I gave you. That you were able to see these things in my place.

I love you.

Mother.

I shedded a tear. I touched my eyes. I could feel my mother in me. I could feel my mother's love in me. This love has been with me all my life. It helped me see things clearly. It helped me to lead a normal life. I shedded a tear.

Mom, I love you.