My Mother-in-law

Mother-in-laws have a reputation of being nasty to daughter/son-in-laws. Just look at all those jokes about m-i-ls and you will know what I mean. And I think this comes about because of different upbringing and different expectations.

I was talking to an acquaintance "Hw" yesterday. She made the comment that she is amazed at my relationship with my m-i-l and she commented that we were just like friends.

I told her that is because my m-i-l is "one hell of a woman". You can't find another like her. So helpful and giving. Knows when to back off, and when to intervene. Hw paid me the compliment that it takes 2 hands to clap, and I also played an important part in that fantastic relationship. Thanks Hw, ... I dont know. Sometimes I think I could be a better d-i-l for all that m-i-l has done for me.

M-i-l is quite amazing.... Her typical day is like this. She wakes up at 4.30am. She will then shower, prepare breakfast. Cut fruits for everyone (so that we can have it for breakfast if we like), makes fresh juice for everyone. Then she goes for her morning walk (All these even before our maids wakes up!). When she returns, she will shower (again!) and then have her breakfast. She will then accompany me and Little D to school. After that, it is off to the supermart for some groceries or the wet market for our supplies. When we get home, she will prepare lunch for the kids (mine and her daughters) and ourselves (and the maids too!) M-i-l and I will then have our lunch,and then we are off to pick little D from school. She will then help shower, feed and put Little D to nap whilst I am off to fetch S and N from school. She is with Little D for the whole afternoon until evening whilst I supervise S & N's homework or ferry them to classes.

In the evening, she will feed little D her dinner, and then shower her (again) whilst hubby, S, N & I have our dinner. Then I will take over looking after Little D. She will wait for F-i-l to get home (usually after 7pm) and have dinner with him. After dinner, she will have her shower, and then she will come play with little D whilst we watch TV.

At 9pm, when Little D goes to bed, m-i-l will then go read the newspapers, sew, do her own things until it is her bedtime, usually after 11pm. She is really amazing! Never tiring,and never complains. Even when we tell her that Little D needs to do certain things by herself or that we can watch little D, she will still be around to keep an eye. (Yes! I am a little spoilt by her).

Weekends are hers alone. I make sure I take little D with me everywhere, out of the house, so that m-i-l will be able to do her own things. Every school vacation, she will travel to Australia, to cook and take care of her other grandchild living there.

M-i-l is also a very good seamstress. All those beautiful dresses and shirts that she makes for the kids are the envy of parents that we know. She even makes party dresses and fancy dress costumes for the kids.

We frequently go shopping (dresses, jewellers and the bookshop) together. Even when she is ill, she puts us all 1st! She times her visits to her doctors to when we will not need her help, usually during the vacation or weekends.

Isn't she amazing? And, best of all, am I not blessed? Hw commented that we both get along like a house on fire, and another friend calls my m-i-l my partner in crime.
This is for you M-i-L .... so that the kids will remember what you have done for us all these years!! Thanks!