The Important Lesson I
Learnt
Genre: OPINION
In just a few minutes, it felt like my world had turned upside
down.
Those words I had for so long dreaded to hear.
"You're going to have to have all your wisdom teeth
removed."
Now, in my head, insert the music typically heard in horror
movies when the knife-wielding maniac is about to attack their
unsuspecting victim.
Yes, that is exactly how I felt. Myself being more of a chicken
than all the Maple Lodge Farms chickens combined, you can bet
that after hearing numerous "wisdom teeth horror stories"
I was fretting the day when I too would have to have mine removed.
Days leading up to the date, I was a nervous wreck and trying
my best to psyche myself up for it by putting myself in the mentality
that "you only have to do it once and then you'll be over
with it". However, that did not really calm my nerves but
it was a nice shot. And then the big day came. The day I had
to step up, stare my biggest fear in the eye and say to myself
"I can do it". As I stepped into the dentist chair,
I took one last look at my mother and hoped for the best.
I have to honestly admit, the surgery itself was not that
bad. Same with the few days after the surgery when I expected
to be experiencing excruciating pain. It was not until the fourth
day when I finally felt the repercussions of having four of my
teeth extracted from my mouth. The fourth day was experienced
with much head spinning and nausea beyond belief - perhaps a
side effect from the painkillers or fatigue. Even though the
day was a bit of a blur to me and I was not in a completely sound
state, it was that day that I learned a life long lesson that
I will hold dear to my heart for the rest of my life.
Sometimes you are unable to truly appreciate the people and
things around you that you take for granted until tragedy or
misfortune strikes. Take September 11th for example. Now, everyone
seems to try tolerating differences better, understanding the
unknowns and realizing how precious life is. Often times, it
takes a significant moment to change one's perspective on life
and remould world views.
With my very own "traumatic event", I was able to
finally open up my eyes and see things in a new light. I was
finally able to truly appreciate an individual who has always
been there for me, always provided for me, and always cared for
my well-being. She has been my everything and my world and not
until such a substantial event in my life was I able to finally
admit that. She is…. my mother.
They always say, whoever "they" are, that we all
eventually grow up and realize our nagging mothers have the best
intentions and that we will thank them one day for all they did.
"It's just a phase we all go though, to rebel against
authority" many say while I'd smirk and snicker "yeah
right, my mom is always going to my annoying mom". Mothers
may seem to be a pain where the sun doesn't shine when you're
trying to watch your favourite television show and she is there
right behind, nagging you to finish your homework or the never-ending
chores. Or when you want to extend curfew for an hour and she
puts her foot down and refuses to be the least bit lenient. Yes,
at the time, you may become so aggravated that you just want
to pull out every last strand of hair on your head.
But as I sit here reflecting, though this sounds trite, I
owe everything to my mother. When I was on the couch feeling
nauseated and unable to do things for myself, she was there.
Just like all the other times when I have been suffering or in
pain, she's been there. With such gentle care and concern, she
helped me in every way possible. The unbelievable thing is that
she did everything for me, all through my life, without complaints
or strings attached. Every day, she cooks, cleans, and everything
in between and have I ever bothered to realize all the things
this amazing woman does for me until now? Maybe on a "Hallmark
card" occasion but otherwise no, and I am ashamed to say
it.
Now that I am finally able to appreciate my mother for the
wonderful woman she is, I vow to change my life. I will help
out whenever possible may that be in cleaning, cooking, washing
the dishes, everything. I will embrace her and try to show her
my appreciation not just on special days of the calendar year
but every single day. It's time to lose the selfish, self-centred
attitude I have carried on in the house for so long and realize
how grateful I am to have my mother with me.
I write this here to encourage you, the reader of this article,
to look within yourself to see how you treat loved ones in your
life and if there is any way to improve your relationship with
them. It may very well be something you will be thankful you
did because time on this Earth is very uncertain and there is
no sense in losing valuable time doing fruitless things. Appreciate
every moment you have with those you love and make sure you don't
look back on certain relationships with regrets and sadness.
CRITIQUES OF ARTICLE BY
PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS
- Mothers everywhere wipe a tear from their eyes reading this
article. Nicely done, and a unique perspective from a young person.
- Excellent. I like the fact that you use a common situation
your readers can relate to in order to make a larger and more
important point. Good work
- Excellent opinion piece! The ending took me a bit by surprise,
but certainly well done, and an excellent message. Good work!
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