Heart and Soul: A mother's love knows no bounds

The writer's parents. Photos: Theresa Jenkins

A petite tired old lady walked into the arrival hall.

"Oh, there’s Mum!" I said, and we dashed to greet her.

She just came in on a flight from Sydney.

With her luggage she had a big box.

Being curious I asked, "Mum, what’s in the box?" Her reply, "Let’s wait till we reach home."

After her shower and dinner, she opened the box and took out a shiny whistling kettle.

"Yours is quite old so I brought you a replacement," Mum said.

I was taken aback and said, "But the box is so bulky and heavy and you had to lug it all the way to KL!"

Her reply, "But it’s a nice one, and you do need to change your kettle."

I thanked her but felt so bad for the inconvenience she went through.

The kettle that Theresa Jenkins' mother brought for her all the way from Australia.

The kettle has served us well for 27 years and still has pride of place in our kitchen, as shiny as ever. It still whistles when the water is boiling.

Hearing the whistling sound always brings back memories of Mum.

I will forever treasure this kettle as it reminds me of that day Mum came through the arrival hall lugging that big box. How difficult it must have been for her.

What a mother does for her children!

Mum was born in Ranau, Sabah.

She met Dad in Sandakan and got married there. My brother and two elder sisters were born there too.

Later they moved to Pahang and then on to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Brunei and finally Dad joined the Sarawak government and retired in Kuching.

After Dad passed on in 1982, Mum came to stay in Kuala Lumpur. She travelled often to Kota Kinabalu to visit her brothers, sister and other relatives.

Mum migrated to Australia (Sydney) in 1991. Being an avid gardener she loved the climate there. She said it’s good for gardening. Mum always had beautiful gardens wherever she stayed, especially her garden in Kuching. She loved growing orchids.

Mum was also a good cook. Indian, Chinese, Nonya and Western, all those mouth-watering and delicious dishes she used to create. Yes, we all miss her food!

Sadly, I did not pick up her cooking skills like my sisters did.

Her last visit to Malaysia was in 1995. She fell ill and that stopped her from travelling.

May 30 this year will be 20 years since Mum left us, and 20 years after Dad passed on.

As I reminisce the good old days, family gatherings and storytelling sessions we had, it’s hard to imagine it has been 20 years since Mum passed away. It all seemed like yesterday.

We all miss you both, Mum and Dad.

You are now up there, Mum, reunited with Dad and your family members.

May you all rest in peace.