About a month ago, my sister in law gave birth to her second son. The birth marked the 24th nephews and nieces that I have. (Phewwww! I have to count them twice just to make sure the number was correct). As you can gauged already, I come from a big family. Well, eight other siblings to be exact.
My sister in law decided not to give birth at her hometown, thus she had to be on her own during the confinement. When I had to recuperate after my surgery, my sister in law, even in her late stage of pregnancy, took care of me. Thus, I decided with my limited knowledge of pregnancy or confinement, I will try to assist her.
Coming from a big family, I always admire and appreciate my Mom patience and tenacious ability to deal with rumbustious children. However, until recently, my appreciation seemed to be just at the surface value. Maybe I was too young and too far away at that time to appreciate her more.
Taking care of my sister made me look at my Mom a bit differently. I wonder how she had the patience to endure the pain of giving birth to nine children. I wonder how she had the self restrain to eat bland food after giving birth. I wonder how she had not lost her voice and even her sanity trying to discipline nine rumbustious children.
Like I mentioned before, I came from a big family. So maybe many people will assume that I want to have a big family too. I hate to burst their bubbles, but from early on, I decided family life is not for me. I know I don't have the natural instinct to be a good mother.
I was content with my decision. Being surrounded by so many nephews and nieces sometimes made me go bananas. But when I had to undergo a surgery and basically the doctor told me that I will never have a child, ever, made me look at my life a bit differently. Making my own decision was different from hearing someone else telling you that it's no longer your choice. It may sounds crazy because the result is still the same. Though nowadays, I always say at least I have one thing in common with Angelina Jolie. LOL
The pain I had to endure after the surgery made me respect all mothers more, especially for mothers that had to do caesarean to give birth. I guess what I want to say in this rambling of mine, I know the sacrifices that all mothers had to go through, all the pain that they had to endure, all the sleepless night that they had to go through, all those insane moments that they sometimes had, just to bring a child. I salute you, all mothers.
Not everyone can endure all those things. I'm certainly not one.
Comments
Dear Sewar, sometimes I think all of us were guilty of taking things for granted especially the love of our parents. Your mother is a very strong woman. Not everyone can face the challenges that she had to face. Give my hugs to your mother. She deserved it.
As for my condition, I can either choose to accept it as Allah's will, or I can become bitter and angry. I don't want my life to be consumed with bitterness on things that I have no control of. So, it's easier to accept it with as much dignity as I can. Thank you for you nice words.
My dearest, my siblings and I never noticed or appreciated our mother's efforts till we become parents. She was single mother, my father died when we were very young. But she struggled a lot till we had university's degrees and got marred. Allow me my dearest to thank my mother through your lovely blog; thank you mum for giving us, my siblings and I, your time, health, patience, smiles, youth and experiences. God bless you mum and all the mothers' in the world as well.
I feel sorry about your condition my dearest. The beautiful thing is; you made fun from your condition. How lucky you are my dearest to have such sense of humor. My best wishes for you.
@noaspls Interesting. I wouldn't call them mistakes. Maybe these terms are common in British English.
In the weeks after giving birth, North American women typically eat anything and everything. Women are typically so hungry from nursing that they have a lot of cravings. Some women may avoid alcohol and spicy foods.
We would call this the "postpartum" period. For example, some women suffer from postpartum depression.
Nora, well, I just my littlest nephew a shirt which stated; "My Aunt is The Greatest". So, I guess I am. LOL. LOL. LOL
Thank you for your nice words.
Onee, my lovely sister over the strait, :D :D
Thank you for lovely words. Yes, we just need to leave it to the Allah Al Mighty. He knows what is the best for us. And, as you said, I'm I'll never walk alone, what with 24 nephews and nieces, and still counting. LOL
Noaslpls, my sister....
We never know what will happen in the future. Though doctor said the sure thing. Still, God is only the creator of miracle. Just stay strong, live as a happy aunt. You never walk alone.
Love you, sister.
-Onee
Fizzy, thank you for your nice words.
Well, during Raya, suddenly I become the bestest of best aunts. LOL. Everyone is expecting to get 'higher than normal' angpow from me. Even my car is not spare from them. Everyone wants to get into my car rather than their own parents' cars whenever we have to 'jalan-jalan raya'. So, my car is always ended up full of noisy kids. LOL
Sima, love you too :) :) Thanks dear.
(T_T) sorry to hear about it noas.. stay strong
i could imagine when hari raya with all your niece and nephew eager to get angpow from you; after a while during at night you realised that how thin your wallet have become.. hehe
well i am not sure what will i do for this hari raya.. last year i only gave angpow to more older kids and little kids received full of goodies with choco and sweet lol..
:/ Noas Love you
Take care
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