Giving is Glorious

We traveled out of town with our 78 years mom just recently and since we had enough preparations, the trip went on smoothly.  Expectantly, we have to slow down with our pace to assist her because long walks tire her easily and she was having occasional muscle cramps.  There were frequent bathroom trips too.  But never mind, we were already prepared for such interruptions!   In the airport, though she walks slow, she doesn’t require wheelchair at all.  She was her jolly self and was very excited!  The only set back we had was when we had to ride a coaster instead of using the tube and there she struggled climbing the stairs but she managed it anyway though some people at the back seemed to be getting a bit impatient because we climbed so slow.   Take off and plane landing made her unusually nervous and agitated and I wonder why because that was not her first time to travel.  Her medicines are on stand bye too and it’s good that she did not suffer from motion sickness.   I chose an aisle seat for her because she needs to go to the bathroom quite often so as not  to disturb her seatmate and that was me!

yey.. wandering 78 years old mom

Traveling with an elderly needs patience and extra planning.  It might be a hassle to some but for me, it gives me joy knowing my mom enjoyed the experience.  She deserves the best and some luxury in life in the remaining days of her life.   Actually, initially, she was not really keen in joining us but I insisted that she should come and explore some places she have not seen yet.   I explained to her that she should do it while she is still able and can still walk, rather than feel sorry for not being able to experience things while she is still strong.  I had seen how excited and thrilled she was when went for a sight seeing trip in an Orchids farm for she loves gardening!  She was very much engrossed looking at and posing with beautiful flowering plants and orchids as props and background as well.  Back home, that is her therapy…. tend her garden.

obviously enjoying it!

What is this that I’ve heard that she wanted to go to Singapore next year?  She will be 79 by then and I will gladly give in to her request.

Kudos to our mom who taught us how to be resourceful, innovative and artistic!    I can definitely say that we had carried on that traits till now and we are practicing  it to good use.   At an early age, we were taught to be responsible like helping around the house in doing simple house chores i.e washing the dishes, setting the table, cleaning…. and it is taught day by day till we reach the age that we can be do the cooking, baking and operating simple machines (vacuum, washing machines) while on the latter part of our adolescent years, we started using more complex ones, like sewing machines ….  And those skills we have learned were also passed on to our children.   Because we believe that  being responsible is an attitude which will become a way of life.  So, teaching is part of  parent and child relationship!

Especially for girls, it is a must for us to learn how to cook, clean the house…in short good housekeeping.   I can particularly boast of my skills to sew .. but admittedly, I don’t know how to make patterns.   My skill was challenged when I transformed a kinda huge gown to fit my size.  I was able to adjust the fitting of the gown and the length by cutting it short and and since the fabric is delicate, I only hand stitched the hemline.  I took the cut fabric and used it to add as an appliqué and sewed it to the cuff of the sleeves to match the bodice of the gown.   It turned out well and I am proud of myself!  It saved me from shopping for a new one.

The party we had last night was fun… I felt good about what I wore last night so I believe that I looked good!  Yes!  Hubby assured me so! (and I believe him….)