The Horror....(2)

"Mom, I lost some money." Daughter to mother.

"Again, did you misplace the money, how much did you lose"

"I lost RM10.0. It was in the money box when I did my accounts last week. But last night, I am short of RM10.0"

"Check you skirts and pockets, look again."

"OK"

"Could it be that you paid for some books at school or something that you might have forgotten ?"

"Ur... I check again" Daughter went upstairs.

"Mummy, I lost RM2.0 too last week." Son told mother.

The mother had been receiving the same complaints for sometime now. The eldest daughter had mentioned money lost plus her other belongings. The complains seemed to be more frequent since secondary school. The mother used to think that it was childish carelessness, after all children do unintentionally lose things. She used to think the eldest was being absent minded,but lately her son began to report lost money too.

When the children were in school, the mother sat quietly and began to reminisce. She recalled all the findings in the stepdaughter's bag . Could her suspicion be right? The mother tried to fight the horrible thought. The mother's mind began to race, sourcing for clues she might have carelessly overlooked through the years.....

The Beginning of...the Horror..(1)

"Where did you get this pen?"

" My friend gave it to me."

" Who's the friend ?"

"mmm...." silent

After 20 mins, " Who's the friend?"

"mmm...." Blank staring.

After another 20 mins

" If I were you , I speak the truth."

"What's the friend's name?"

Another 15 mins of silence

"Can you tell me the name ?"

"Who is the friend ?"

" I forgot to tell you, I think you bought this pen for me"

" When did i get the pen for You ?"

" 2 months ago."

' You just said the pen is from your friend.? "

"Mmmm... ,,,"

As the mother started to raise her vocal with the last question, the air became tense.

This was a typical scene of uncounted and unnumbered times of lying and constant silence deny.The tussle between mother and daughter. The enquiry would last 30 mins and the mother would never get the answer and know the truth.

The mother often found strange items in her daughter's school bags.....candy wrappers, sweets...pens,...rules..rubbers..more pens,,,and more coloured papers, ..picture write books...

The mother did not recall purchasing these items for the child. She was thinking, where did she get them ..???? After a month of observation and late night checking the school bag when no one was around, the mother could not hold her silence anymore.

Before she tabled the questions, the mother noted the pocket money given to the daughter each day . To know the truth better, she provided the daughter with a lunch box (rice +3 dishes) to ensure her daughter did not go hungry in school together with RM2.50.

After one week of late night scavenging her daughter's school bag, she discovered the total "goods" (like pens,,,sweet wrappers,rulers....cute note books...coloured pens) was more than the daily RM 2.50 given . The mother started to be inquisitive, where did her daughter get the money to buy all the "goods"?

....Human Nature....

To Love and to protect, are the basic instincts of a Mother. In the animal kingdom, the mothers are the saviours and protectors of their cubs and babies. I suppose the role of a mother is simpler in the animal kingdom. Human mothers not only shares the good times of their love ones but also shoulder complex pains, endless responsibilities, hardships and unhappiness of the family. Sometimes our effort are appreciated and good names are given to us and at times, we are also being termed bad. Many adjectives are used to describe mothers, sadly one of them is Selfish. Today I understand why mothers are known as such. I think we do it because this is an inborn instinct, it is our duty to protect , to ensure the well being , healthy growth of our young. It was never ill intended.

If you have a teenage stepdaughter who likes to steal and lie , do you run around town exposing her? Do you go to school and tell all her teachers and friends? If this is the solution, any mother will do it. I did otherwise. I worked hard , tried every avenue to help her to kick the stealing and lying. Taught her the good rope, the positive understanding of life, shower unconditional love, always giving her the best, providing a stable home environment, teach her the values of honesty, moral beliefs, attending motivational camps, .....etc.

I am selfish for not letting others know the truth about her bad ways. I thought with constant love and care, given time she will change. My child would realize that lying and stealing has no place in her life and in our home. I did it because deep down inside I have a hope, a hope that she will and can be a better person.

Right

Sometimes it is hard to make a decision. Not knowing whether its always the right decision. It is up to us to make it right. Facing difficult times and numerous hardship is in our daily lives. Each moment comes with its challenge...trying our patience, perseverance, determination, love....etc ..Sticking to our decision when facing obstacles, criticism, disheartening cruel remaks often takes every ounce of our effort ..to make Right happen...being right is never easy.....I believe when the best intention, heart and soul effort is exerted and that you have done your very very best, you have already being darn well Right ! Thou shall not fear making decisions, if you do, always make it a right one. Life is short , one shall not live in regrets and misery.