Treasured Times

When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure. My mum and I were inseparable. Anything that could be done together, we did it. It wasn’t always rainbows and sunshine between us but that was one of the things that made our love for each other so special. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, my dad used to travel overseas for his work, and during that time, my mum and I would be on our own. My mum loved shopping. And by that I mean buy every-single-shade-of-makeup kind of love. And so, that was our utmost favourite thing to do together. We would shop for hours on end if we could. In addition to shopping, my mum thoroughly enjoyed getting pampered. She would make a spa appointment for the both of us, and we would spend the entire day getting massages, manicures and pedicures. After that was done, we would walk over to a nearby restaurant to have dinner before heading home to snuggle up in matching pyjamas while watching romantic comedies for the rest of the night.

The memories that I hold closest to my heart are the simple gestures from my mum and the little things we did together. For instance, my mum would surprise me by coming to pick me up after school and take me to lunch. Whenever I was feeling down, my mum just knew it. She would come to my room, talk to me, and give me the biggest hugs. When I got sick in the middle of the night, my mum would be there, checking my temperature, making me hot tea and putting me to bed. There were also times when she would cook my favourite foods without me even having to ask. These things may not seem like much but as I look back and think of my mum, I truly miss them.

We never realise what we have until it’s gone. As cliché as it may sound, It wasn’t until my mothers passing that I realised all the missed opportunities. And all the time I could’ve spent with her. Being a teenager, I got caught up in my friends, high school drama, and my own life that I forgot what it meant to spend quality time with my mum. I regret not saying “I love you” and “I’m sorry” enough.

Due to the pandemic, I was able to be home with my mum and dad. I got the chance to take care of my mum and be with her. And for that, I'm eternally grateful. I wish she were around for longer. If only I could turn back time and give her the biggest and tightest hug just once more. We’re all so caught up in our own struggles and commitments that we sometimes forget to take a breather and appreciate what we have and the people who are still with us.

To those of you reading this, make time to be with the people you love.

By Nhikitha Aasha, 19