My Mom's Bravery
by Maryanne TP Fong
(Ontario, Canada)
(A short story of courage and bravery of my Mom who has been fighting diabetes for years.)
My Mom who has been suffering from diabetes for years is a strong woman with great determination. She is a kind and gentle lady with both external and inner beauty. Most important of all, she is the one who constantly inspires me and guides me throughout my life in the paths of kindness and righteousness.
She has gone through many life's tough challenges and hardships. She has experienced hostilities and harsh days of hunger and poverty during the Great Depression and the Second World War. Despite all the adversities, she has learned to adapt to the changing environment and difficult times again and again.
I am always touched by her sad story of misery. There is so much to be learnt from her historical accounts and survival skills, life and work experience.
As my Mom has to look after a very large family, she has barely enough time for all the kids and herself. Going off on a vacation was next to impossible with a bunch of clingy kids who required her constant attention and care.
In the poor economic times in HK many decades ago, plenty of families were taught to go on a frugal lifestyle, reminded not to waste food and water, not to leave food behind in their bowls and plates. If the children could not finish the food, it would be the mother's duty to eat up all the cold food leftovers. Perhaps because of that, Mom was undernourished and suffered from occasional digestive problems.
Over a period of time of neglect to personal health for not eating right and keeping active, my Mom was diagnosed with diabetes.
To help Mom manage her diabetes, I have taken up some health care courses to learn more skills and knowledge about healthy living and also about caregiving.
Surely I would hope that my Mom would get better, and that I could also use my training to help other people in need.
