In the lead-up to Mother’s Day, I rummaged through my old photo albums and found some shots of happy times with my mummy.
Every Momma likes to play dress up with their babies. Twas so then, is so now. Must say I look fetching in that scarf. Hah.
The photo above was also taken at my maternal grandma’s home, where I spent a very happy childhood, surrounded by a very loving grandma, doting uncles, aunts and cousins. It was a shophouse right along the main road in Siglap, and this was the upper floor. Behind the retro lace curtains was the balcony…
My Mummy worked until I was 5 years old, but Daddy and her decided that they would bring me home every night. So I still have vivid memories of us standing at the main road opposite granny’s, trying to hail a cab back home.
My mummy likes to recount how she ordered the “biggest cake they had” for my first birthday. Looking at this mega 5 kg cake in the (again) retro shape of a 1, I guess it was indeed impressive. Thank you Mummy!
My mummy has always been my greatest champion, having indeflatable confidence in my abilities, and delighting in boasting about being proud of my achievements. A tad Amy Tan, but never Amy Chua. I really appreciated how my parents never heaped stress on me. Rather, they were very relaxed parents who always pushed me towards becoming more independent, instead of the usual over-protective, molly-coddling parents of an only daughter. Yes, I remember being sent off on the school bus alone on the first day of Primary 1! Not that I minded. : )
Another story she loves to recount is how she was the one who insisted on getting me my piano and paying the princely sum for it. Yes, this is the same aged vintage Yamaha that sits in my home today, not much the worse for wear. It was also Mummy who walked me to and from piano lessons every Thursday evening, from Grade 1 to Grade 8, usually with a rojak treat at the coffeshop along the way home.
Even though our relationship has its ups-and-downs, and can be very, very trying at times, I do appreciate all that you’ve done for me, all that you’ve sacrificed for the family, as I mentioned on my wedding day.
Thanks for being a great grandma – always reliable and available at short notice for emergencies, whatever the time of day or night. Thanks for spoiling the grandchildren rotten!
Most of all, thanks for being very present, throughout all my growing up years. I was indeed blessed to come home to home-cooked food every day, to have a listening ear to both my inconsequential prattling, as well as my big-ticket issues. No matter what happens, you will always be my mum. Come what may, I am and will always be your daughter.
Linking up with Angie for Mother’s Day too. 🙂
lovely!! and you look like your mum! 🙂
Yes, everyone says so too!
I love these retro moments encapsulated in your photos…they speak volumes of our parent’s love for us. That vintage Yamaha piano, you still have it? It will be a precious ‘heirloom’ to pass down to your own kids! This is such a beautiful moving tribute to your Mom, thanks for linking up!
Yes I still have it – am amazed that it’s holding up (but barely)!
Such precious pictures and memories of your childhood. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Welcome – I think reflecting makes me a more grateful person. 🙂
Love your story, Lyn. One can really tell how much love and effort yr mum invested in you. I quite like those lace curtains btw, very romantic!
Yup, every momma does huh. Not sure where those curtains are now! I didn’t even remember them particularly, but that just goes to show how impt photos are (trying to justify how I take too many photos these days).