This Mother’s Day, I have an Answer

Every Mother’s Day,
breakfasts in bed
handmade cards with handprints and hearts
flowers are bought and given
restaurants booked and meals eaten
ang pows from the elders
a day alone (a year)
to take a breather

“What do you want this year?”
the husband asks, with tired trepidation
“And don’t say nothing.”

Of course, then, the answer is,
“Whatever. I don’t care.”

This year, it’s not nothing.
I have an answer.

The answer is, I want to love being a mother
I want to wake up
and want to spend the day
cooking and cleaning
worrying and scolding
chauffeuring and doing laundry
breaking up fights
wiping bottoms and blowing noses

I want to want to talk in a silly voice
get excited about another piece of paper
with globs of green and purple
some on the carpet
and glue on the couch

I want to want to read stories
ten stories every night
and one more
and another
and one last one, pleaaase

I want to love to love
and love and love
my growing children
before I blink

and find them grown

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4 Responses Subscribe to comments


  1. simmie

    Happy Mother’s Day, Jenn!!!! *hugs*

    Thanks Simmie! hugs

    May 11, 2008 @ 1:49 pm


  2. Genesis

    Hi Jen

    Oh WoW I So love this post! You wrote it yourself? Very inspiring cos it captured, for me, exactly what I feel this year…4 years of being a mom. That’s my wish :) Thank you for articulating it in such a lovely and delightful way.

    Happy Mother’s day!

    Thank you, Genesis, I appreciate it.

    May 11, 2008 @ 11:35 pm


  3. Asther

    Hey girl! Happy Mother’s Day to u. Please let Lai Lai know both of us are missing her lots on this special day too. ;)

    Thanks, lady!

    May 12, 2008 @ 3:21 am


  4. Chinwan

    Hi Jen… and to all imperfect mummies who read tis blog… cheers and Happy Mummy’s Day. :)

    Thanks, Chinwan ;)

    May 12, 2008 @ 9:10 pm

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