Tuesday 6 January 2009

"I Rather Be Your Dog, Son"

Many times after visiting old folks home, I can't seem to get over the feeling of this, a mother can raise 10 children single-handedly, but 10 children cannot take care of a mother during her golden years.

On numerous occasions during the visits, old ladies tend to boast about their children's career achievement and family. Counting with their fingers the number of children and grandchildren they have back home. They are oblivious to my facial expression which signaling "then how come you are here?"

Some of the "paying old folks" (those who pays the centre) felt superior being there because their children are paying the centre for their living as compared to those who are poor and homeless (those who do not pay). Perhaps the former feels that they are the "luckier" ones...sigh!

I have recently come across this real life story.

This old mother was being scolded by a young lady in the wet market for accidentally dirtying her cloth. "You, such a Bitch!" scolded the young lady. She was neither hurt nor anguished by the remark, simply because she was literally hoping to be "the dog" to his son. The letter below explains:

Letter to My Son

Son, one day, when your pet dog fell sick, you and your wife were frantically looking for a vet.

You fed him glucose, vitamins and supplements with such tender loving care.

You will curse on anyone who kills a dog, saying that a dog is like a living human too. A dog too has got to be treated like a human being.

Yes, I strongly agree with you.

But son, you've got to remember this, a dog will give birth to its children too. I hope that when you come to this situation, you will be reminded of your forgotten conscience.

Your dad had an asthma attack recently, mom could no longer carry him. It was the neighbour who came to our aid in the middle of the night to carry him to his bed.

Our roof can no longer protect us , we are living in fear whenever it rains.

It was many months ago since we last heard your voice over the phone.

How mom wished to be your pet dog, to be at your side for an evening stroll.

It would certainly be a picture of happiness seeing him wagging his tail with his proud owner.

How mom wished to be your pet dog, eating quality food and sleeping in a warm dog house with nice outfit to wear.

Son, when are you coming back to take us for a walk?

Mom



2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just stumbled on your blog today. Bless your heart, you are doing a fantastic job reminding us what we should be mindful of. Keep up the good work.

Swiss Palma said...

Blue Sky, thank you for your kind words too.

Let us all not forgetting our "duty" in this world. Chinese said, 饮水思源。