Recovering from a pretty severe bout of the flu and feeling
weak and totally out of it still – head not yet in the right place! This was
rather a strange flu attack. It came on so suddenly with a painful sore throat
that appeared out of the blue one evening after dinner. No itchy throat or
cough or any other warning symptoms whatsoever. Then came the high-grade fever the next day that felled me completely.
I was reduced to a helpless mess for three days. I’m so
grateful that my son Khrieto was home to help me through it. He gave me my medicines
on time and cooked and fed me broths and soups that he thought I might be able
to take in without throwing up. He also made up his bed on the floor and slept near
me all through. My beautiful son, my greatest blessing! He’s the best thing
that ever happened to me.
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| A couple of weeks old.....safe in my arms |
It seems like only yesterday that I held him in my arms,
completely awed by the perfection of my baby. The years have flown by and it
seems my tiny baby boy has grown up into this fine young man when I wasn’t
looking. I can’t believe that I’ve already celebrated 28 Mother’s Days.
I’m an imperfect mother, that’s for sure. To start with, I
was young and without a clue. But I had tons of energy and one thing I can say
for myself, I was determined to give my all to be the best mother that I can be
to my son. And I was the luckiest to have my own beautiful mum around to help
with babysitting as I bungled along trying to find my feet as a single mother.
One mistake at a time – I came across this in a parenting
website and that’s exactly how it has been. One mistake at a time, one
day at a time! And along the way I realised there’s no one size that fits all
in parenting. We all just try everyday to raise our children the best way we
know how.
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| As a happy 2-yr-old with proud Mama (R) Stepping into his teens - I call this his hair gel phase :-) |
And here we are today, my son and I. I must have got it
right somewhere. From a feisty, curious and bright little boy, he’s become this
amazing confident and motivated adult. I unashamedly claim bragging rights here :-).
He’s kind and thoughtful and he cares about the world around him. I do believe
he’ll make one woman a wonderful husband one day!
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| Khrieto interning at the Sheraton Krabi Resort Thailand |
He found his passion in the culinary arts. After being far away
for over three and half years completing his studies, interning and getting
some work experience, he came home for a well-deserved break. He’s treated us
to some incredible cooking, but that hardly surprises me. I always knew he
would excel at whatever he does. Now he’s readying to leave again to take his
passion one step further with a pastry programme at the Le Cordon Bleu.
I know I’ll miss him deeply and I’ll always worry. But I
know he has to live his life and one thing I know I can always be assured about
is that his life will be one of purpose and accomplishment. I’m so proud to be
his mother.
I penned the following poem when my son was seven years old.
I’m privileged to share it with you……
Khrieto
When I first saw you
You were just
A wrinkly bundle
Wrapped in blue
With a mop of dark
hair
I took you in my arms
Kissed and tickled
your cheeks
Softly ruffled your
hair
But didn’t really
know
What to do
I just said a silent
prayer
I thanked Him for you
I prayed that He
bless you
And keep you
Under His wings
always
I was not ready in
many ways
To accept a precious
gift as you
And before you were
born
I didn’t know
Just how much I would
love you
That magical moment
I looked into your
eyes
Your beautiful,
beautiful eyes
My heart just grew
I thought it would
burst
You’re growing up so
fast
Soon, so very soon
However hard it may
be for me
You’ll spread your
wings
You’ll follow your
dreams
Always remember
No matter how near or
far apart
My head is bowed in
prayer for you
I am always there in
your heart
You are never alone
‘My son’
No more beautiful
words
Were ever spoken
I thank the lord for
you
Each and every day
Out of everything I
did
It was you that I did
right
God is good, my son. As I prayed when you were born, I pray
and trust every single day that He will protect you and guide your every
thought and every step. Never forget that you are blessed and always allow Him
to lead in all you do and say.
My son…..my joy, my greatest blessing!