celebration of that fulfillment. The end of the rainbow signifies a pot of gold
and the magic surrounding your dreams coming true, and the end of the
rainbow is the enchanted magical land of leprechauns. - Source: Universe of Symbolism
Rainbows. I always find them so magical, beautiful and even a little mysterious.
There have been so many talks and quotes about rainbows recently and it got me pondering about what lies at the end of the rainbow that I was, and have been, chasing after my whole life. Is it leading a happy life with my loved ones? Is it being the best mom I can be and enjoying the most of motherhood? Is it being a blogger capable of inspiring others along the way? Is it making a difference to the community and helping others in need? To be honest, I'm still in the process of figuring it all out.
March 2015 marks three events which were especially significant to me, and through them all, I think I learnt a great deal about confidence, tenacity, independence, hope and strength. In this month's "Happiness is...", it's all about seeking the rainbow.
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#1. Sharing my views as a stay-at-home mom on national TV
Yes, most of you have probably watched the show and read my behind-the-scene post in the making of our video clip. While I received overwhelming responses from readers and strangers, most of which were to kindly thank me for sharing my story and letting them know they are not alone, there were also a handful who probably thought I did it for the glamour and the fame.
I had a friend who commented "Why do we stay-at-home mums need others to tell us our worth?" and thus was not inclined to watch the show in the least. The thing is, the last thing I need on earth is for someone to measure my worth and tell me how much I am valued in monetary terms. No, thank you very much but I don't need that at all.
Another friend commented that she was furious that they compared my worth to a domestic helper. To be honest, I didn't care much about that because anyone sane would know that they can't be compared in that sense. Motherly love is the one intangible, priceless ingredient that cannot be replicated. So what for be bothered by it, years of experience told me that it was wiser to just laugh it off and move on.
However, a much stronger and compelling reason for me to go on the show was simply because I could be the voice of all SAHMs. I mean, I'm just me, a normal mum, a normal Singaporean, a normal blogger leading a normal life. How many opportunities do I get in my life that I get to fight for a case, to represent a bigger group of like-minded people, to present an unseen side of our mostly taken for granted roles to the rest of the world? The answer is probably just once in a lifetime.
That burning passion, that strong conviction and that unwavering resolution I felt as a stay-home mom chased away all my apprehension and gave me the courage I never knew I possessed. I just knew I had to do it so that I will not regret it when I look back on my life.
#2. Braving solo parenting and making the most of it
This month was also the time where the hubby had to attend a course in Bremen, Germany, which we had initially planned to tag along but gave up when we realised how it would easily cost a bomb. You might think that being a military wife, I am very used to the notion of solo parenting. Yes, I guess you can say so. But that doesn't mean it gets any easier.
Sending off the hubby always makes my heart ache and while some say absence makes the heart fonder, on days when the kids drive me up the wall and make me weep into the pillow, I wish, I just wish that he was right here with me to tell me that things were going to be all right.
I took them picnicking and we attended an outdoor movie screening at Gardens by the Bay. I remember pushing the stroller up the bridge, with both of them sitting inside, and I panted with every breath, wondering what I had just signed myself up for and debating if I was really getting old and unfit.
As we laid down to watch the dazzling lights at the Supertree Grove, I took a deep breath and told myself "See, it isn't so bad after all, right?"
Then, in the same week, I also took the kids on pony rides where we queued up for nearly an hour under the scorching sun. We also had to squeeze and jostle with the unexpectedly huge crowd who was there on the same opening weekend to feed the ponies, take photographs and watch the live stage shows. All worth it for those big smiles, don't you think so?
Did we manage to rush to the airport in time to pick their beloved Daddy? You bet. And though these two never did mention they missed him, they were definitely over the moon to be in his arms once again. Me, I was just happy I survived the week, accomplished more than I thought I could and emerged triumphant.
#3. Turning sorrow into strength from the loss of our founding father
Last but not least, this was probably a life-changing milestone for many Singaporeans - the passing of our beloved Mr Lee Kuan Yew. If I say that I don't like to show my weaknesses to my kids, for the past week, I just revealed my most vulnerable side and for more reasons than one, I just couldn't stop the tears from gushing out.
The national mourning week may have passed but that doesn't mean the grief just vanishes from our hearts. Moving on doesn't mean we forget, it just means we accept and let go. In true LKY style, he would want us to turn sorrow into strength, to get on with our lives, to draw lessons from this ordeal, to unite as a nation and let Singapore continue to be a safe, prosperous, clean and happy place for generations to live in.
Thank you for teaching me to believe in the impossible, to always hold on to hope and to never give up even when the world gives up on you.
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So, while I know at least I am now riding on the motherhood rainbow and cherishing every bit of it, I also intend to seek out other rainbows waiting for me and when the time comes, I hope I will ride on every one of them. What are you happy for this month?
What are you HAPPY for this month?
Happy memories have a special way of touching our hearts every time we think about them. Join in my linky party at the end of every month and let us smile, rejoice and share the simple joys of life. Highlight and press Ctrl + C to copy my button above, include it in your post/sidebar and add your link below. For happiness is all around us.