ESL Blogs

I've been a proud mom and always will be.  Therefore, I wanted to write something about my son and my fulfillment about being his mother.  I wanted to share the joy of my motherhood.  But in the end, I found myself writing about someone else's children.

Last night, I came across a folder of photos containing my trip to Sri Lanka last September. Something pinched my heart while looking at them.  How could have I easily forgotten about them - the children at the orphanages I visited?  Here I am and the rest of the world getting all excited about the coming Mother's Day, while those kids probably have no idea what a mother is!  I started to wonder how these kids celebrate Mother's Day...or perhaps, they never at all?

My heart ached so much for those children.  If only I could buy a mommy or a daddy for each of them.  If only they sell good parents at the store.  Instead, I got them clothes and chocolates.  It's probably the first time that some of them, if not all, have ever tasted a chocolate.  They couldn't get enough of it!

Finally, I got a permission to see the nursery at one of the orphanages I visited.  How can I describe the feeling of watching about 30 sickly infants (two sharing in each crib) with only one volunteer worker attending to all of them!  I'm not even sure if all these babies get a chance to be held.  One of them was crying so hard when I came in.  I asked the lady there if I can hold the crying baby.  After I picked up this poor little thing, he got quiet.  As soon as he stopped crying, tears started rolling down my cheeks.  I thought I heard him whisper in my ear: "Ma'am, are you my mother?"  

When I noticed that he has completely calmed down, I handed him back to the lady, and this baby started crying again.  I took him back to my arms to comfort him and his sobbing stopped.  It was too much emotion for me to hold a baby who probably never had the chance to feel the warmth of a mother.  It was the most heart breaking tears I've ever seen - a tiny soul crying out for a mother who may never ever return to see him!

For this Mother's Day, I'd like to pay tribute not to the mothers...but to all the children without one. Although I can't give them what they need the most in this life, but I pray that they will grow up strong and wise. That somehow, they will realize their dreams and full potential.  That no hindrance can overcome them.  May they discover their true meaning and importance.  May good people surround and guide them.  May they be able to receive love and give lots of love in return.  May the Lord reward them for all their sufferings!