Susan

jewey

Dec 3

"So," Raven's friend's grandma, Judy, asked me while watching the girls in gymnastics class. "What's it like having mum here?"

"The house is very clean!" I replied. "I come home to a clean house every day now!"

She laughed. My mom, who was sitting next to her, laughed as well.

And it's true.

And I'm grateful.

She doesn't need to, though. Constantly clean the house, I mean. I always tell her the dishes are not going anywhere so she can just chill. But if ironing clothes and manually washing plates keep her from getting bored while I'm at work, then by all means.

Whatever rocks her boat.

Last week, on a very cold and rainy Wednesday, I made her try "Melbourne coffee" at Mr. Grumpy's Cafe. She's not exactly a big coffee drinker so I don't know if the latte made any mark but she said it was good so I'll take that as a thumbs up.

Well, sort of a thumbs up. My mom being my mom, she's not exactly the most expressive woman in the whole entire planet. I let her try my flat white too and she said the same thing in the same monotone.

Deep inside, she was probably doing backflips over it for all I know.

She did love the food, though. She thought her scrambled eggs were nice and fluffy and helped herself to Jeff's tempura sweet potato chips. That one she really liked.

She didn't want any of my chilli scrambled baguette. I didn't want all of it either. I mean, it was good but for someone who doesn't eat breakfast, it was too much for me as well. Good thing my sister arrived and I made her finish the other half instead of ordering anything anymore.

On my mom's first weekend, we took her to Springvale for some Cambodian cuisine and to check out the local fish market. I had been craving escabeche and so I asked if she can cook it for me. *batting eyelashes*

Jeff's very accommodating to her, as well. While she vehemently declines his offer to teach her how to scratch vinyl records, she's happy for him to play some old songs from his collection, taking her back not only to the memories of the music, but to the technology itself. She intermittently sings along, holding the jacket for reference and reading through the titles like an old familiar book.

God bless my husband. He's a very good son-in-law. After all the initial interrogation my mom put him through when we told my parents that we planned on getting married, where he was mercilessly grilled by her, they seem to be best buddies now.

Also, to answer the question of what it's like having my mom here, I go to church on Sundays now. *clouds parting and angels singing hallelujah*

Yes, I drag my feet to go but at the same time, I respect her beliefs. I don't need to go to war over it. I don't need to go to war with myself as I rest in the security of my faith even as it comes without a structure nor a label nor a tangible place of worship.

If that's what makes her soul happy, then I'm happy to oblige.

*Raven at 7 years old