The apple does not fall far from the tree

There was a time when if anyone said I was just like my mother I would get angry because in my mind, I am the total opposite of her. When I was younger I tried to do the opposite of what she did because I did not want to be like my mother. She’s a great person, but we were so different that growing up I couldn’t get along with her, and we would fight about almost everything. My father had to be the umpire, referee, linesman, you name it. And more often than not, he would take her side because her tantrums used to be worse than mine and good luck to whoever is not on her side.

Fast forward to the present. I see my mother in me now than ever before. Without knowing, we are doing so many similar things together. When I went back home the last time, I found that she was collecting RM20 notes because it is orange and so pretty. So am I. I also found out that she randomly distributes ‘ang pow’ or small gifts to the workers in restaurants she frequents, or neighbours or acquaintances who are objectively poor. So do I. And here’s the best part. When she found out that someone had hurt my feelings, her comment was “I have a can of red spray paint somewhere...” That is so something that would also cross my mind.

My mother has mellowed down over the years. While I may still disagree with the way she handled things in the past, she has become a person I now respect and love dearly.

My father told me a long time ago that I couldn’t get along with my mother in the past because our characters are similar, but because our characters are similar, we will one day get along very well. I’m sure my father would have forgotten that he ever told me that. But how true his words of wisdom are!

So now if anyone said I was just like my mother, I would be proud and honoured. It’s a compliment. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.