Since my father had passed away mom has been working very hard. In 1998s, after Dad left this world we faced a lot of problems. We do not have much money, because we spent it all when my father was in hospital. So in order to solve this problem mom decided to work for the other people. Each day she got a little money for the family. I was very young at that time. Of course, I can not help her at all besides some work in the house. I was in the primary school at that time. After the harvest time mom goes to work far away from my village. Then she came back with the a mount of money, and all of those money will pay for the food and some needs in the family. In fact we have sixt members, mom, my oldest sister and her husband, my older brother, me and my youngest sister. My sister went work in the city and she always send the money to us every month. Her husband took over the resposibility on the farming. My brother became a novice in the temple next to my village. So everyone just goes a part, and there were only my brother in law, me and my youngest sister are at home. After the school I have to responsible for the buffalos.
Mom is not a strong lady. She got an operation on her waist when she gave birth to my oldest sister, but she is very struggle for her life. In the farming time is the hardest time for her, because our farms are very far from our home. She walks there with the stick on her hand, and carry along the food. She cannot swim. But the way is very wet, and it easy for her to fall down in any minute. In the evening when she come back home I help her with some massage. Eeven the work is hard for her but I still see her smiling a lot. She told me that " the life without knowledge is like this, so you have to study hard. When you grow up your life will be better than me." Of curse mom cannot read or write in my own language. Because she was born in the time of civil war in my country. She left home sine she was young. Sometime she has a nightmare, and each time she shout very loudly. This because she has been work very hard in the day time. I could not sleep in that night, because I am so worried about her.
In the farming time every house is very busy. It starts very early in the morning. At 4 o c'lock mom has to get up to prapare the food for us. For me I get up at 3:30 and ride the buffalos to the farm with my broter-in-law. It takes us 3 hours to arrived there. It is very sleepy time I am so tired to get up early. Sometimes if I do not go with him I help my mom to prapare the food. The food is about for 5 to 7 people. We hired some people to work for us. At the down I put the pot-food on my head and go straight to the farm( mom cannot do that because it is slippery). I remember one time when I was on my way to the farm. It was a heavy rain in the night. I have pot-food on my head and suddenly I fell down, and the food are spoiled. It fill with the water and the dirty mud. So I come back home and mom has to cook it again. I feel very so sorry for mom. I don't know what to do at that time. I really want mom to stay at home. I want mom to have some rest. But all I could do is just the think. Whenever I look at her face it full of sorrow, but she never says it out. I know it is hard for her as a lady to lead the family.
Even my sister support us some money from her work, but it is not enough. After we finished the work on the farm mom goes to work for the other. I ask her not to do that, but she say she will never quit unless we have enough money. I remember when I was in first year of my high school mom always give me 5 reals(Cambodia Currency) everyday to go to school. In fact I never ask the money from her even in high school I need much money to pay for school. I know we need the money to do other thing. Sometimes she borrows the money from her friends for me to go to school. On the other hand no matter what happen to us mom still smile and be ready to sruggle for the life. Most of the night mom tell me about her story when she was young, and there is one thing I remember it all the time. Mom told me that "Son, you have pay the money for the reasoneable and valuable thing. Because the money is not easy to get. Be a man you must struggle for your life. Whenever you have a smile there you will have a hope."
I want to say that I love love love mom more than other thing in this world. Mom gave me the warmly life, a wonderful life, and there is nothing can compare from what she has given me. There is no word to describe about mom, but one thing I need to say is I LOVE MOM, MOM IS THE WONDERFUL LADY IN THE WORLD. SHE IS THE HERO IN MY MIND.
