My late mother was a very strict parent. I remember those nights when I was only in pre-school and Mama had me reading the kiddies dictionary. I had to read every word in the dictionary and memorize the spelling. She would sit in front of me as I read, with a rotan neatly placed beside her. In the end she wouldn't end up using the rotan. But the idea of it sitting a mere centimeters away from me pretty much shook me up for the rest of my childhood haha
Despite her strictness, she always made it to all of my choir recitals, my sports day, etc. She was always there in the audience with that heavy video camera we had back then, waving her arms so I would be looking at the camera. And thanks to her, I now still have all those video tapes of my childhood days which I will one day sit down with a box of Capri-Sonne and watch all day just to reminisce.
The last time I talked to Mama was at the hospital. We didn't talk much because of all the medicine that she was taking had made her drowsy and all. So at the end of the day, I sat in a chair in the corner of the room reading a book I just bought, and when I looked up I saw that she was smiling while watching me. I smiled back, unknowingly that it would be the last time.
I've grown up a lot now since the last time you saw me, Mama. I'm no longer that little girl you used to scold at for playing soccer with the boys until maghrib.
I only have you to thank for shaping me into this woman I am becoming. You are my role model, always and forever.
Thank you, Mama.
Happy mother's day to all the mothers and soon-to-be mothers :)
