Thursday, May 5, 2011

Friday Shootout: Mother's Day


The year was 1973. This is a photo of my mum, Mary Wah Kiew Chan Nee Kong.

On this day, I remember her and how she was taken away from us twenty three years ago at the age of sixty. Gone but not forgotten in her children's heart.

The second World War came and altered her life. She lived as a teenager during the war, and became a war bride.

For fear of forcefully made into a Japanese Sex Worker, my grand parents married her to an unknown man at fifteen. Loved blossomed and together, they had nine children.

This photo of Mum was taken as a group photo of some of my siblings as we were at the airport to farewell Elizabeth, the day of her engagement to Kalang.

Mum was dressed in a Kebaya, the national dress of Malaysia. People asked if Mum was a Malaysian Airlines stewardess. She smiled and said she was too old. We teased that she should have told them she was the director of the stewardess. At this time, she was the DEO's wife.

I wish my children got to know her, except for D, the others have not seen their wonderful grandma.



Happy Mother's day to all. For me, each year like many other like me who have lost children, Mother's day is not as joyous because though others may have forgotten their Angels in heaven, we have not. I say a prayer for you.

This year Mother's Day is May 8th. Mother's Day is elebrated to honor all mothers and express gratitude for the hardships they bear in bringing up a child. Most countries including US, Australia, Canada and India celebrate Mothers Day on the second Sunday of May. Mothers Day came into being due to the efforts made by Ms Julia Ward Howe and Ms Anna Jarvis. The Resolution for having a dedicated Mother's Day was signed by US President Woodrow Wilson on May 8, 1914. Since then people across the world have been celebrating Mothers Day with joy and devotion. You can open this up for all Mother's you see in your town, human and animal.
Posted by Doreen



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15 comments:

Bagman and Butler said...

Wonderful tribute. Thank you for sharing a powerful person. Also wonderful and not really surprising when people work at it that she could make such a successful marriage out of something that was arranged with so many unknowns.

GingerV said...

one of your beautiful posts. I can imagine your children repeating word for word in a tribute to you. we learn to be mothers from our mothers. have a great day Sunday.

EG CameraGirl said...

You write so lovingly about your mother. She must have been a very special person indeed!

Pauline said...

A lovely tribute to what I'm sure was a very special person. Happy Mothers Day to you, Ann.

diane b said...

A lovely tribute to your mother. Happy mothers' day to you a bereaved mother.

Anonymous said...

Your mum looks great in the photo. She does eem very special.

Have a good weekend, Boonie

Jama said...

You does look a bit like her! Wishing you a Happy Mother's day too.

Kim, USA said...

A very touching and lovely tribute to your mom, Ann. Thanks for sharing and Happy Mother's day to you too!!

Mother

Jama said...

Ann, the photo in my blog is of a Digital SD card being slotted into a card reader of a CPU ( computer). Can't do without the SD cards!

向日葵啊伯 said...

Same river...differnt story.
Happy Mother's day to all Mothers!

Autumn Belle said...

A touching tribute which reminds me of me and my late mom too.
Like the saying:

She never quite leaves her children at home, even when she doesn't take them along. ~Margaret Culkin Banningm.

Ann, Happy Mother's Day!

MadSnapper said...

a wonderful and touching story.

Unknown said...

oh my goodness.... what a very lovely family story Ann. I can see the resemblance also.

Unknown said...

it's increadible how olden day, their marriage are not arrange to somone they know...

it's a great share~

Happy Mother's Day to you!!!

Ensurai said...

I like how Peter wrote "Same river ...different story..." I missed reading several of your postings because I was away...this morning I read about your beautiful mother...I am going to pinch your photo....

Belated Happy Mother's Day..