Mum's New Clothes

I remember the last time I REALLY stepped into the women's section of a departmental store was with Mum in Hat Yai (หาดใหญ่), Thailand at least fifteen years ago. I was a kid, still dependent on tagging along with parents on their frequent trips to the southern part Thailand every year. I never particularly fancied the waiting and standing while the women in the family shopped, or being squeezed on the cheeks by those entrepreneurial and delightful Thai women peddling clothes in bazaars.

Last week, I braved the racks and rows of women apparels in search of Mum's clothes. For years Mum has not been getting new clothes for herself. As much as I can remember, she doesn't shop much for herself. I observed over time that she only bought children clothes for relatives' kids and snacks for us. To begin with, she is a very thrifty woman. She has been frugal about spending on and for herself, and over the years, just to make sure we have enough for school and make it through college. She wore mostly the same clothes.

"Why didn't I realise this sooner?"

It was this question which propelled me to the decision of getting her some new clothes. I always wondered what kind of gift I should get her on her birthday. Usually flowers, cards and cash. It never crossed my mind about getting her clothes. So I was set on this idea and made my way to the ladies department. Picked her two shirts and one shorts based solely on my instincts, and judging from the the size she wears; the day before I went through her clothes to have a general idea of her size and the sort of cutting suits her body frame.

As I laid the clothes at the cashier counter, the two lady cashiers looked at me and smiled teasingly. I smiled back bashfully and uttered in Malay, "Untuk ibu saya". In English they mean, "For my mum".

Mum tried on the clothes and I was relieved they fit her. Most important of all, she is comfortable wearing them. I was worried my choices were too out-of-style for her. I asked her which one she likes most.

"I like them all..."

I didn't see that coming. I was expecting her to say, "I like the red one". Or of the other. "I like them all" sounded abrupt but hit me right through endearingly. That's what we would hear from a mother. That goes to say, she really appreciates everything we are doing for her, and whatever we have done so far, she is deeply touched by it.