Faraway friends are gems!

Thank you so much for caring! Sorry I got you worrying, and worried for me.

Today's baby exam turned up normal. The same checks will be done for 10 weeks or so, as that's about how long the virus can act up; hopefully and prayerfully, it will not.

I just want you to know how much your friendship -- that transcends the many miles separating us --means to me! Besides what I blogged, only Ben's teacher here, and a few old friends I emailed, know my anxiety.

Your uplifting words, and lifting up of my family in prayer, really warm my heart! I treasure our friendship, just as I must not take for granted the very precious gift of life.

Here's also wishing each and every one...

A Very Happy Mother's Day!!!
whether you are a fellow mommy, and/or spending it with your mother by your side. And if you are in a home away from home -- as some of you are, you can relate to how we wish all our loved ones are within closer reach!

For me, every time Mother's Day rolls around, I miss my late mom a lot more. It's been over 20 years since we lost her to cancer. And I know it's silly of me, wishful thinking on my part, but I'd imagine having these conversations with her about my children. And she would, in her usual way, be listening, not judging, despite my inadequacies.

Perhaps the most important lesson my mom left behind for me, is to value each person for who he or she is. Something that as a mother, I try to do with my own children. But it's not easy.

On being mom...
I fall into the parent trap of judging, criticizing, and comparing. And even when I'm trying to give my boys the same advantage, and equal opportunities, I know I'm not the only parent who's worked myself up into some crazier-than-crazy schedules.

Ben doesn't have his own ECAs yet, but already, from his classmates' birthday parties, I've had a foretaste of what it's like dropping one child off for one activity, then taking the other to another activity, with just enough time to come back for child no. 1, before rushing off again to fetch child no. 2.

But beyond "surface" things, I need to recognize each child is unique -- to be nurtured and valued individually. And for that reason, as someone had put it, we can't "even-steven" them. There are other things to be learnt and taught as well. Like, sharing, taking turns, and how life itself is sometimes just "not fair" (as all kids have a knack for reminding us parents... sounds familiar?) ;p.

All these I'm learning, still learning, and many more things I have not grasped. But no one's perfect, no mother's perfect. I guess that's also the beauty of life -- with any aspect of it, it is always a work in progress. So we never stop learning!

And it's dear friends like you, the gem that you are -- because you care, and you share, that makes life's journey, with its smooth paths, and twists and turns, so much sweeter! Often, too, it's not from parenting books or magazines that we get the best advice, but you who have been there, done that, and willing to pass on what works, or not, in real life, not just in theory.

Many thanks again for being here for me! HUGS for you now, and God bless you dearly!!!