I found this piece of paper on my study desk. This is what it says:

Mother

I ran away to start my life anew without you.

I have always been naughty, haven't I?
You said I was different, I have always been
When I thrashed the piano, you told Uncle that I was practising too hard.
When I killed the neighbour's cat, you told them to pardon my ignorance.
When I played truant. you told my teacher that I fell sick.
When I was caught stealing, you took the blame.

You drew all my drawing assignments, and yet they failed to score.
How useless can you be?

You pointed to the stars and said I was one in a million shining brightly on its own.

Rememer the time I failed my swimming test, you told me Einstein failed a hundred times.
When I was defeated in the SEA Games, you assured me that Einstein failed a thousand times too. Who are you kidding?

Remember the sweater you sew?
I gave it to the Salvation Army.
When you made burgers for me,
I complained that MacDonald's tasted better.

You asked me to take breakfast
I hated that.

When you fetched me from school,
I lied to my friends that you were my maid.

You celebrated my birthday every year
But I could never remember yours.

You forgave all my mistakes
I could never forget how shabbily dressed you were during my graduation ceremony.

You did not resent your life but I hated living with you.

You said, 'This is our home.'
To me, a home should be a three storey house.

You greeted me every morning, I didn't even say a good-bye.
You toiled to make ends meet, I took you for granted.

You are satisfied with a simple life, I am satisfied by worldly desires.
You encouraged me to attend church, I reviled in parties.

You claimed you need me, what I need are my friends.
I mean a world to you, you are only an ounce of me.
You said you are my mother, I said you are a disgrace.
You said you care, I said get lost.
You slapped me, I kicked you.
You believed in God, I blamed you.
You said we were flesh and blood, I think I was adopted.
You gave me a chance, I took my chances.
You kept your sorrows to yourself, I threw my anger at you.

You love I lust.
You gave me your love, I offered my body to others.
You brought me up, I brought you shame.
You have courage to cry, I don't.

The world I know is different from yours.
A cigarette gives me three minutes of joy.
Sex gives me thirty minutes of pleasure and drug eight hours of fun.
What about you?

Like what you have always said, I am different from the other boys.
Don't you know the truth? Or are you in denial?

You can't change the mistake you made.
Of course I can't use that to justify my own misdeeds.

Will you still be there for me?
Ten years away from you,
My life has not been easy.
I am no longer your little child.
I am a busy man. I don't have much time to spare.
I didn't bring any gift.
I don't care how you feel towards me now.
Be it a hug, a cup of coffee
That is all I am asking for.

I observed our hourse.
Your taste have improved.
I saw the tree we planted. It has grown much healthier than I had.

I saw Uncle. I saw Sis.
I saw Aunt. I saw the old neighbours.
I have seen all that I need to see.

But I did not see you Mum.

I can and will never understand how some people can hate their own parents. I love my parents, my family and I know they love me too. Yesterday I spoke to Funyin (Used to be my Taiwan student) and realised that she is denying her mother. Her mum would be devasted to know that. Or maybe she had already denied this daughter also... Why do people always have to make things so complicated.....

Weiming
24
PricewaterhouseCoopers