A Woman Worth Celebrating

by Marooned-Lily
She puts her children before herself.
They are far more precious to her
than her own life…
She wasn’t highly educated. But
she believed in the value of
proper education. Despite her
meagre earnings, she was
determined to send her children
for tuition classes so that they
can live a life better than hers.
Her husband is artistic. She believes her
children inherited the creativity. Her daughter
was sent for piano lessons while her son
enrolled into art classes.

Years later, they would bring home prizes

won from competitions.
When her children
fall ill, she knows just
the right remedies to
make them feel
better again. She’s
their best personal
doctor and nurse.
Life wasn’t easy for her. Her marriage faced
troubles. Through the storm, she persevered and
brought her children up…single-handedly.
Her children are now in tertiary institutions
away from home. But she makes sure
she calls them at least once a week to
update. Her ‘mother instinct’ has always
kept them sane from the overwhelming
stress of life, studies and relationships.
Every time her children return home for the
semester break, she would cook her best
dishes including the nutritious chicken soup
and fresh garden vegetables. Paired with
some ‘misua’ noodles, she prays her
children live long and healthy.
 One sunny day, I accompanied her for a
leisurely walk around the town. She said
she was hungry and so we stopped for
food. She ordered a simple bowl of ‘kuey
tiao’ soup. Curious, I ordered one too.
Until today, it remained my first and most
remembered bowl of SIMPLICITY.
Believe it or not, she
could get a Cheongsam
for RM20, and a whole
baju kurung / kebaya for
RM5. No one can beat
a deal like that …ever.
 I may not know
her full story. Neither
will I truly understand
the sufferings she
had to endure. But
there is one thing I
am certain of…

Her sacrifice is
Priceless.

This is her story…

My mother’s story.
SHE IS SIMPLY
A STAR!
 Credits
• Photos:
– Gems: http://www.jewelry-gems.com/
– Spectacles on open book:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrwerner/387914823/
– Piano: http://www.flickr.com/photos/piano_lessons/2285183310/
– Easel: http://www.joeyandchristy.com/images/artextras/easel.png
– Sick: http://bertyuanlim.blog.friendster.com/
– Telephone: http://www.scrapbookeh.com/newsletter/w081014.html
– Chicken with “misua” soup:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/icecat_seoul/193832413/
– Sweet and sour pork:
http://www.justfoodnow.com/2009/07/06/culinarily-china-part-1-the-north
/
– Brocolli: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aloalosabine/406665835/
– Eggplant: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paintingsky/238156298/
– Tofu soup:
http://www.kevineats.com/2009/04/seol-ak-san-stanton-ca.htm
– Fried chicken: http://www.cherishinglife.webs.com/recipes.htm
– White rice: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamaki/374797/
– Cheongsam: http://www.huiyuan66.com/cp/class/?16.html
– Candle: http://assumption-fairfield.org/RCIA.aspx
• Backgrounds:
– Blue background: http://cybermate-dungeon.com/easter-eggs/
– Mother and child:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59303791@N00/513153112
– Envelope edges: http://
www.tgaw.com/Turnock/SouthPoleEnvelope.jpg
– Kuey Tiao Soup: http://alvinjani.mylovepress.net/?p=2827
– My-Mom-is-the-Best-because…: http://cybermate-
dungeon.com/win-a-return-ticket-simply-because-you-love-your-
mom/
– Stars background: http://cybermate-dungeon.com/easter-eggs/
– Stars border: http://www.pixabella.com/wp-
content/uploads/2009/02/star_clip_art_border.png

• Song accompaniment:
– Mama by Spice Girls (Instrumental):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXqGfYfj2Dk