Maha Devi is forever grateful to her 'Iron lady' mother, who took care of her and her seven siblings after their dad left them.

Maha Devi wrote:

"When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.

"My mother is from Indonesia. She was not from a well to do family when she was young. She told me stories of how she worked outside theatres by selling 'kacang putih' and how she managed to study at the same time.

"My mother is a very great person whom I have always looked up to. She came to Singapore when she was young and married my father. She went through so much. My mother gave birth to eight children. My father left us when we were young due to some reasons. My mother was the sole breadwinner of the family. She barely knew anyone in Singapore except my father, who left her.

"This is the story of a mother who went through so much hardship and is still surviving. I shall call her the 'Iron lady' who stayed calm and strong

"After my father left us, my mother, Wallima, took up astrology as her job. She went up and down the hills to work. The pay was not sufficient for eight children. She would buy two packets of mee goreng and mixed it with rice to feed us.

"My poor mother sacrificed her share of the food for us and starved. She never faltered in giving us love and attention. She treats all of us equally. There was once she hurt her knee badly but still continued walking up and down the hill for work. Because of that, it affected her knee condition, up until this vey day.

"My mother finally married off her children. She was happy. However, happiness doesn't always last long. Soon, the children had coflicts among themselves. She did her very best for everyone. As the years go by, she was falling ill. She had to go through balloon angioplasty. Her condition did not improve.

"As days goes by, she started calling me repeatedly and she was very forgetful. I told myself my mom is alright. One day, her condition worsened and she was admitted to the hospital. Doctors told us to keep our fingers crossed. That heartbreaking moment can never be forgotten. It was so painful for me and my other siblings. The doctor told us that her heart is too weak.

"When I entered the ICU, my mother was lying on the bed without any movements, eye closed. I cried and cried. I prayed to God. My mother who used to call me every 5 minutes in now lying on the bed like this.

"The doctor then told us that she has to use an artificial pacemaker. Till now, she is on the pacemaker. She is a dementia patient too. She doesn't know what she is talking about and all. It is good that I still have my mother with me. I am fortunate to have such a great mother like her, who lives just for her children.

"This is what I want to tell her if there is a chance she will get back to normal:

"Mother, you have suffered a lot for us

"Mother, you have showered your love on us

"Mother, it is now time for us to keep you happy and shower all our love on you...

"If there is a day when I am not beside you, it is the very same day that my soul has left the world.

"Mommy, I love you so much. <3 "

Prizes are sponsored by Aramsa Spa and Concorde Hotel.

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