The 8 Lies of My Mother

I was born to a very poor family. I could recall that often times we do not have enough food. During mealtimes, mother often gave me her portion of rice. While she was removing her rice into my bowl, she would say “Eat this rice, my son. I’m not hungry”. That was Mother’s First Lie.

As I grew up, my persevering mother devoted her spare time fishing in a river near our house. She had always hoped that from the fishes she caught, she could give me nourishment for my growth. Yes, after fishing, she would quickly cook fish soup, which indeed raised my appetite. While I was taking the soup, my mother would sit beside me and with a smile on her face, slowly take the little meat left on the fish bone. I was very touched when I saw this. I then used my chopstick and offered my mother the other fish in the bowl. But my mother refused it and said, “Eat this fish my son, I don’t like fish.” That was Mother’s Second Lie.

Then, when I was in Junior High School, my mother joined an economic enterprise for home industry. Everyday, she would bring home some used-match boxes to stuck in. This would woke up from my sleep and found that my mother was still awake working on the used-match boxes beside the candlelight. I said, “Mother, go to sleep, it’s very late now. You still have to go for work tomorrow. Mother smiled at me and said, “Go to sleep, my son. I’m not tired.” That was Mother’s Third Lie.

At the time of my final term examination, mother asked for a leave from her work in order to accompany me. My mother stood under the heat of the sun outside and waited for me. As the bell rang, which indicated that the final exam has finished, mother immediately welcomed me and poured me a glass of tea that she prepared in a cold bottle. The very thick tea was not as thick as my mother’s love, which was much ticker. Seeing my mother covered with perspiration, I quickly gave her my glass and asked her to drink too. Mother said, “Drink, my son. I’m not thirsty!” That was Mother’s Fourth Lie.

After long illness, my father passed away. My poor mother was left alone to support the needs of our family. Seeing the poor condition of our family, a kind-hearted uncle who lived nearby always came to offer help. Our neighbors often advised my mother to marry again. But mother, who was stubborn, ignored their advise and said, “I don’t need love.” That was Mother’s Fifth Lie.

After I finish my studies and got a job, it was time for my old mother to retire. But my mother refused to stop working. Every morning, she would go to the market to sell some vegetables. I was already working in another city; I would often send her some money for her needs. But mother was firm; she would not accept my money. She even sent the money back to me. She said, “My son, I have enough money.” That was Mother’s Sixth Lie.

After I earned my Bachelor’s Degree, I continued my studies for my Master’s Degree. This was funded by a company through a scholarship program, from a famous University in America. I finally worked in that company, who offered me a very high salary. I made plans to take my mother to America and enjoy life. But my loving mother didn’t want to bother me; she lovingly said, “My son, I cannot live in America. I’m not used to.” That was Mother’s Seventh Lie.

After several long years, my mother had cancer in her old age. She was hospitalized I lived miles away across the ocean, but I quickly went home to visit my dearest mother. I saw my mother in her bed very weak after her operation.

Mother, who looked so old, weak and thin, was staring at me with so much love. She slowly forced a smile at me.

I rushed to my mother with tears flowing on my face. I embraced my mother tightly. My mother was in such a helpless condition, but mother still gathered her strength and said, “Don’t cry, my son. I’m not in pain.” That was Mother’s Eight Lie.

After saying her eight lie, mother closed her eyes forever!

My dear friend, after reading my story, go home and give your mother a big, big hug and tell her ….Mama, I love you!

Lisa

You Have To Read This Incredible Letter

I just read Dr. Laura Schlessinger’s book, In Praise of Stay-At-Home Moms. If you’re a housewife, I highly recommend her book to you.

In her introduction, she includes a very inspiring letter written by a certain “Lisa”, a Stay-At-Home Mom. I was so touched by the letter, I’m including parts of the letter here.

Dr. Laura,

As I sit to write this letter, my hope is that if just one mother can hear what I have to say and holds her child just a little tighter today, I will have fulfilled my reason for writing.

By the time I was 29 our family was complete. I had three beautiful children, a loving husband, and although never money to spare, we found ways to get by. Although I had my mother and mother-in-law to babysit whenever I needed, by the time my middle son was born, I knew I could not work anymore. Something inside of me told me that I had to spend as much time with my children as I could.

There were many days where I was pulling out my hair, found myself screaming at them, and was totally exhausted by the end of the day, thinking to myself, “Any other work would be a pleasant relief.” But there were also many moments I would never trade in for any job, no matter what the pay. Those moments when your child gives you a smile or a look you never forget, moments when they would give you a kiss, a hug, or just hold your hand for no reason. Those are the moments a mother treasures in her heart forever…

Two years ago my middle son was killed in an auto accident. He was 22 years old. He was away at college when he decided to get in a car where the driver had been drinking; ten minutes later he was dead.

Our lives will never be the same again; the world as we knew it had been destroyed. We miss our son terribly. My husband, surviving two children, and I will never be the same, but we are trying to hold on to each other and pick up the pieces, one piece at a time.

Dr. Laura, there is only one thing I can say. I am so grateful for those moments I had with my son. Those moments, the good as well as the crazy ones, I will forever hold close to my heart. All those precious years I spent with my son now are what help me get through the day.

So please, Dr. Laura, never stop reaching to all the young moms who feel they can’t handle it, are struggling with making it through the day, who believe they “need” to work instead of being with their child, just how much it might someday mean to them to have spent those precious moments with their children. Hopefully other moms can just take my word for it: Don’t let anyone or anything prevent you from holding them, hugging them, playing with them, memorizing their smile, their laughter, their heart.

–Lisa