My mother, Eileen Wong, turned 92 yesterday in Singapore. Through the Covidivide, we only could speak to her over the phone. This a photo of her taken on her birthday, wearing a new blouse for the occasion.
I had shared something last year that was written on Facebook by Alex Chua, a photographer in Singapore. Eileen Wong: My Singapore Story tells some of her story.
The story was about her, not me, and in my post, I didn’t say anything about the influence my mother has had on my life. I am what because of her – how she brought us up to believe we can be anything we want to be. It was through her that I learned the strength of belief.
“You can be anything you want.” I believed her, and I therefore nothing could stop me. I did things ground-breaking things simply because I believed I could. That belief came from her.
When I wanted to get a racing license at age 15, she didn’t stop me. Her father and both her brothers had raced in motor sports. My argument that horseracing was just a different type of racing made it possible. She didn’t like coming to watch me ride though. That was too stressful.
All through my sporting career, while I lived at home, Mum would be up before me and have a cup of beef broth for ready for my breakfast. Many a time that was a 4:30 AM wake up for me to be able to ride and make it to camp in time for a 7:25 National Service fall-in.
When I had only one pair of white breeches, Mum would wash them on a Saturday night so I could play polo in them again on Sunday. Those breeches were made by San Koong Tailors at Sixth Avenue for the princely sum of $30.00. It was not till I was in my 40’s that polo jeans became more accepted than breeches.
Another thing that Mum used to say, especially if we hit a low, or a roadblock in life, is “Life is long.” It was meant to mean, ‘You will get over it. You will survive. No matter how bad things may seem, life is not over yet.’
At this time, at this new Covid low, it is important to remember indeed, life is long. We will come out of it. Things will get better.
At 92, my mother still has dreams, has plans, has work to do. I shared the collage below on social media, and it has been flooded with well wishes, not only from our friends, but her students, and people she has touched in all walks of her amazing life.
She has been an inspiration to me throughout my life, and remains so.
Happy Birthday, Mum. Thanks for everything. I love you.
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