Monday, May 13, 2013

For all those Mothers

Celebrating Mother's Day of course has gotten me thinking about my mom, but also the mother figures in my life.  Growing up, my mom and I also talked about how I had many mothers in my life, women who served as examples for me and reached out to care for me.  I would always tell my mom that there was no one like her, but I always remembered my other mothers.  Even though I'm an adult now, coming to the other side of the world put me in a place where I was very vulnerable, but this provided an opportunity for me to find other mothers who saw an opportunity to share and serve.  So this mother's day has gotten me thinking not only about my mom and the ways she's raised me, but also about the other mothers out there I've found in the last few months. 

Many women in my community have been mothers to me in various ways.  Some have been there to provide food and ask if I have everything I need.  This was particularly helpful early on when I didn't know how to get everything that I needed for myself.  But they still continue to provide and help out.  I've realized just how thoughtful these women have been in always considering ways that I may need help.  The fact that they are so thoughtful and attentive to detail means the world to me.  There are mothers who have welcomed me into their own families.  They realize that I'm too far away from my own family and they help fulfill that need for belonging.  Many holidays have gone by when I thought I may be lonely without my family, but someone was thinking ahead and welcomed me to their family with open arms.  But this isn't just during holidays.  I've been invited to spend Sunday afternoons with families and share in family meals.  Other mothers have been there to instruct me on the ins and outs of culture in Malaysia.  I guess it comes from mothers always teaching their kids about the importance of manners, but there have always been mothers there telling me how things are done and proper way for everything from greeting guests to cleaning house (yes, it can be a bit different in Malaysia) to doing laundry.  Yes, I'm a foreigner, but they don't want me to remain an ignorant foreigner.  By learning from these mothers, I've been able to discover more about culture and values here. 

Just as mothers raise their children to one day become productive members of society, I realize that many mothers here have come along and fulfilled so many needs in order for me to be able to function here in Malaysia and find a place in my community.  Words really cannot express the deep gratitude I have for the women who have treated me as one of their own children.  I also realize that these mothers have also taught me how to serve through their examples.  They've taught me about the thoughtfulness to go the extra mile for someone in need since they went the extra mile for me.  These mothers were some of the first people to step forward and share with me.  Their example has taught me how I can step forward and share what I have with others.  They share bit by bit and day by day.  I've learned that the biggest differences are not made all at once, but consistently, over time with whatever we have to give.  So while I spent Mother's day thinking about my mom and the ways that she has shaped my life and made me the person I am today, I also celebrate the mothers who have come along in my life and taught me so many valuable lessons about the kind of person I want to be to others.