a lesson on courage


went to watch 'turning othello' yesterday by srjc
had to meet eugene at city hall
obviously i had to get there myself on public transport
on the bus and mrt trains


went down into the train station
expecting nothing out of the ordinary - or basically to mind my own business..
but..
once i stepped off the escalator
i saw this, about upper primary age boy lying on the floor!
he had his older brother with him although i suspect he is unable of looking after him
if i am not wrong..
both of them are autistic though the elder one with a milder version
couldn't help staring and wondering..like many of the other pple there
which mother would allow her sons, in this state, out alone?


then i heard someone shout at them to "stop playing"
turning around i saw a lady sitting on the edge of the escalator frame[the metal part]..their mother
weary looking, evidently tired out after a day's work
she was wielding an umbrella, using it to control them when they got too rowdy
the two boys played noisily, oblivious to everyone around them
responding only to their mother's scoldings or whacks by the improvised 'cane'


the train came and everyone else filed in
the mother went in, leaned against a plastic panel at the end of the seats and kept her sons near
i was too far to heard anything she told them but near enough to observe them
the younger boy sat on the floor in one corner and proceeded to examine the sole of his foot
the older one was looking around, entralled by everything, everyone


she was obviously irritable after working the whole day
and worried that her sons were causing too much of a commotion
but she took time to pay attention to her sons' antics
silly and nonsensical as they seemed, they were her sons:)
at times, i saw a hint of a smile breaking from her lips when they showed her something
or perhaps told her something..


they left all too soon..about 2 stops later
i couldn't stop thinking about them though


is it fair that this mother has not 1 but 2 sons educational sub-normal?
i truely admire her tenacity and courage
to bring her sons up and be willing to bring them out
to love them for who they are


*God, you gave both of them to her
please continue to grant Your wisdom and strength
as she acts as Your faithful steward
shower her with extra portions of your blessings
Amen