WITH the events of Mothers Day and Teachers Day, it made me think about whom I had learnt from the most?
Who has the biggest influence on my life? While I have learnt from many great teachers, the greatest and the most influential of all is my mother.
Bringing up seven children on her own is never an easy task for any mother. She experienced more than her share of pain and heartaches in a lifetime.
One thing I remember the most of my mother is that she never let hard times dictate her life and the future of her children. Instead, she always believes that however tough life is, a rainbow will always appear after the storm.
I grew up watching my mother work hard day and night. Being a primary school teacher, she provided us with all the necessities.
She sold snacks and cookies to ensure that we had a good education. The emphasis she placed on our education ensured that all her children had university degrees.
Hard work is a great investment that never fails.
She taught me the values of hard work and education to achieve our dreams. By working hard, my mother has taught me discipline and time management. The fact is women should be independent but at the same time not let the family members suffer.
Small acts like asking “How are you doing?” during breakfast, lunch and dinner were always the greatest moments for me. We talked about our day and helped her do the dishes after meals.
She also taught me to never give up. When I struggled with physical and emotional problems, she was always there to give the support and motivation I needed.
My mother brought up her children with lots of love, affection and integrity. I always wish I could be a great person like her in bringing up my own family someday.
Agatha Christie wrote in The Last Seance: “A mother’s love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dates all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.”
How very true.
Over the years, I also learnt from my mother what being a good leader is. A leader enables others to be great. While it is true in the organisation of family, it is also true in any other organisation. Leadership is not only about being great, but also how to make other people great as a mother always prioritises her children.
As a man, I may not understand it well but I can see that you often put your own life after us. Unselfishness is a natural state of motherhood. You will do everything to see the children grow and succeed. In this regard, I agree with Greek philosopher Aristotle that excellence is not an act but a habit.
We are what we repeatedly do. For me, you have excellently taught us good habits since our childhood.
What should I give you on Mothers Day? Flowers, cards or other expensive gifts? You do not really expect all of those, just to never let you down in life. For that, I want to make you happy always as you always want to see your children happy. Every mother’s dream is to see their children successful. But, the best gift of all is spending time with the children.
For me, every day is Mothers Day. You are my first teacher and I started learning many great things at home as my schoolroom.
My mother is my greatest teacher, a teacher of love and compassion. I cannot thank you enough for what you have taught me. You are my teacher and will always be my hero.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much mother.
AHMAD FAIZUDDIN, International Islamic University Malaysia.