The women in my life

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Having fun with one of five granddaughters. Where would I be without all these women?

THERE are many women in my life!

Yes, these are my mother (never saw my grandma), my sisters, my darling wife and her dearest mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, a bunch of lovely granddaughters, teachers, doctors, helpful girls in the office … not forgetting my editor.

Malaysia celebrated International Women’s Day on the eighth of this month; Hari Wanita Kebangsaan will be celebrated in October.

Today’s column is in honour of all the ladies out there – bless them!

 

As mother

In society, a woman has multiple roles to play; among the most important is her reproductive function, aided and abetted by the man.

Imagine the world without women, and for that matter, one which is bereft of men.

There is a choice to be a mother or not to be one. Not that the non-mother is not as important in society – no, not by any stretch of the imagination.

In some cultures, where sex education is taboo, children are told that the stork brings children into the world.

Personally, I’d prefer it if they’re told the truth, taboo or not – this might prevent a lot of unwanted pregnancies!

Even though you cannot make up your mind whether to believe or not to believe any of the stories including the oldest of all, there are so many people who are convinced by Adam’s own affirmation that “Eve made me do it.”

Joaquin Miller, the poet, thinks giving birth is a battle:

 

“On the maps of the world, you will find it not.

It was fought by the Mothers of Men.

Not with sword or battle shot or nobler pen …”

 

If you think that mum’s job is done after the child’s birth, think again. Her task is endless – keeping the family together, hubby happy, budget sufficient. She crackles in the kitchen after she has lullabied her chick to sleep. She goes to work in the morning after making sure that her baby is well fed. When she comes home from work in the office or the farm, her mind is on the baby, first.

Indeed, her portfolio of responsibilities starts from the cradle to the grave. And what happens if the children’s father has absconded? She has to raise the family without help, while the coward is grazing on greener pastures!

 

As politician

History is full of women who have played a leading role in government and politics. No need to mention legends like the Queen of Sheba; just think of Elizabeth I and II of Great Britain; or Prime Minister Teresa May.

Think of Sheik Hasina Wazed – the Prime Minister of Bangladesh; of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi – Nobel laureate and political leader of Myanmar; of Jacinda Ardern – Prime Minister of New Zealand; of the President of Singapore, Her Excellency Halimah Yacob.

Nearer home, there’s Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia; Dato Seri Fatimah Abdullah, Sarawak’s Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development. There are any number of other VIW – who are legislators in the country. To all, I salute. I would get into trouble with their husbands if I talked too much about their beloved women.

In the written history of the world, think of Cleopatra of Egypt; also Queen Isabella of Spain, who funded Christopher Columbus’ voyage to India. Never mind, he went the wrong way. You continue the list while I move on.

 

As doctor

They are a special species of the Homo sapiens. I don’t know about it now – in the past, before they were allowed to practise, medical doctors had to affirm their obligations and proper conduct by taking the Hippocratic Oath named after an ancient Greek physician who was a fellow.

All those whom I have consulted are good doctors.

 

As stenographer

In my previous life, I had three stenographers (two Greggs and one Pitman). These are not their names; these are the stenography (shorthand writing) systems.

Shorthand writing is a special skill that only a few in Sarawak have ever mastered. Except for two in Kuching, I knew well of two – Luke Lee and Abdul Rahman Pet – the rest, during my time in the State Secretariat in the early 1970s, were all females.

Without the expertise of my stenographers, it would have taken me a long time to vet the draft of the proposed Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority Ordinance 1976 (creation of Salcra) before the Bill was finally referred to the Attorney General for his final vetting. Stenographers could check your use of grammar because in those days we had not the luxury of the personal computers and Google.

 

Wife

My wife is an all-rounder: good mother, adviser, nurse, amah, sub-editor, driver, launderer (of clothes), cook, and troubleshooter!

My daughter-in-law, my daughter, and all the women in the family are concerned about my health; they ensure that I eat properly, have enough rest; that I do not drive at night the deprivation of which drives me up the wall, sometimes. Am joking.

My sisters were very kind to me. One who married the man from Swatow forced me to speak in Teochew. I learnt how to curse in that dialect from her husband.

My daughter-in-law reads my columns regularly and is a great source of inspiration. Good at figures.

 

As editor

Every time she receives my article for this column, she always acknowledges its receipt with a “Have a good weekend” – a subtle reminder for me to go to church.

Well, what do you think of my women?

 

Comments can reach the writer via [email protected].