Ah-Ma, Happy Birthday!
Monday, July 23rd, 2007 871 viewsI came in late to office this morning. Then I saw her. She was making coffee at the pantry area. Being polite, I smiled at her and then I went to my place. Little that I know, the old lady I just met is the new staff in our office. Only after the office admin lady told me that then I knew. She is in her 50s or is it 60s I heard? I didn’t pay much attention when the admin lady mentioned her age. She will be helping the HR deparment. Why I talked about her in this blog? Hmm.. when I learned that she is in the office to work with us, I do not know how but suddenly images of my mom flashes in my mind. Yes, she reminded me of my mom. Why?
My mom also in her 50s. 54 to be exact. And she is still working. I cannot but feel sad inside me everytime I go back home and look at her face. She is earning much more less than what I am earning now, but with that money she managed to put me, my younger sister and brother to school and to where we are now. My mom work from morning 7am to 12pm, then 3pm to 7pm. I blamed myself for not able to give her the pleasure to retire at her age now. At her age now, she should be at home enjoying her old life, watching tv, chit chatting with her friends, no need to wake up so early in the morning to go to work and come back late in the evening. My family financial status is not very good for a long time because of some problems.
I remember tagging along my mom from house to house where she worked as a cleaner when I was a kid, 6-7 years old. And I followed her to the shrimp factory, peeling shrimps when I was 10. I remember telling her I will find enough money for her so that she doesn’t have to work. She just smiled and told me to study hard and I will get a good job in the future. Fast forward to now, yes I studied hard and graduated and I got a job. And my mom is still working her ass off. Everyday from morning to evening, 7 days a week.
Damn, she doesn’t even have proper holidays. She only take leave on during Chinese New Year and it is only for 2-3 days and then she will go back to work. All because I cannot afford yet to give her good life that I promised her. Hell, I couldn’t even comfortably support myself yet. That is why I do not have the courage to tell my mom, “Mom, you can stop working now. Just relax at home, I will send you tons of money every month, your job is just to spend it and be happy”.
I am not materialistic but I am a realistic person. No money no shits and I am feeling that now. Enough with the crap, you can be happy even when you are poor. A person with little money cannot be very happy in this world or at least, when you are paying for your car, you are planning to buy a house, you are paying for your credit cards, your food, day to day expenses bla bla bla..
Well, today is my mom’s birthday. I never wish her a proper birthday. I am always away from home. I was away from home for secondary school, university and now I am working away from home. I only go back to my hometown once or twice a year since I started working. Sad 
I hope things will change for the better.
Ah-Ma, I hope I can celebrate your birthday next year together with you. Not like this where I write craps in my crappy blog. Ah-Ma, remember to drink more water, go to bed early, don’t work too hard and stop worrying about me. Get more rest and MUST go see doctor if you are not feeling well. Don’t think taking panadols and warm water, can kaotim. Cannot kaotim one okay?? Happy Birthday, Ah-Ma! I love you 
