More tributes:

From Laura Chua BL :

Mum's love is unconditional and no words can ever describe it !

I remember how she was home whenever I came home from school, getting my favorite snacks ready. I can't help but smile when I remember how my mum helped to cover my absence from my dad when I sneaked out for camp trips.

When I return home in the wee hours, she would sneak out quietly and opened the door for me to avoid waking my dad.

She was open-minded enough to accept all my boyfriends and even smiled at my foreigner boyfriend (my husband now), in days when the latter were not accepted by most mums.

When I announced my engagement to her over a long-distance call, she told me, "if this is what you want, you must be responsible for your own choice". It was wise advice that I never forgot and I am still happily married to my choice!

On my wedding, she even encouraged a bunch of foreigners to drink beer in the morning. My foreign friends think I have a cool mum.

Many days when I call home, she will ask whether I am well or happy instead of nagging! When I return home for holidays, mum never fails to cook my favorite dishes and be there for me.

As I recollect all the moments shared with her, I realise that I have also transform into a bit of mum. I learnt to discipline my daughter with reasonably, understand her needs, spoil her, listen with understanding ears and most importantly, be there for her as my mum has always been there for me.

Although my mum passed away 11 years ago, she is still always on my mind. As a mum, I would like to tell all daughters to never feel that your mum is nagging, because having someone to show concern for you with no conditions attached is pure blessing!

If time can be turned back, I will hold my mum and tell her how much she means to me and I love her dearly!!

From Ada Chia :

When we disagree, i often wonder why mum does not think the way I do. One day, it dawned on me that her long hours of hard work is the reason why I am educated and live comfortably; the way she cared and live, is the reason why my world is filled with love.

From Han Kiat :

A strong woman. Deeply imprinted are memories of her strong character working from 6am to midnight almost seven days a week, doing handicraft at home to earn a petty sum, saving every single penny she could for her sons and family.

She insisted on paying for her sons' tertiary education on her own without complaints.

I can still remember, like it was yesterday, when she wanted to sell her jewellery to raise money for our school fees and household expenses, because my dad was hospitalised for a bypass operation.

Luckily, we managed to cope throughout all those months.

Now that I have my own family and a little girl, I understand that she did all that out of love and determination. I still feel deeply indebted to my mother. If it were not for her, I would not be what I am today.

Now that I am working overseas, it is with regret that I will not be able to celebrate Mother's Day with her for straight two years. With big kisses and hug : Happy Mother's Day!!

From Christine Chew:

They say blood is thicker than water. Then perhaps there is no thicker bond of blood that flows through us than the flesh which we came from.

I love my parents dearly. But my mother occupies a precious spot, deepest in my heart.

I wanted to be different from my mother. She was always too loud and too protective. It embarrassed me when she waited outside school with her bicycle to walk me home. I cringed while shopping as she forbade me to buy anything too revealing. I wanted to her to be a "mom"; she was too busy being just a "mother".

Last year, mother found a lump on her chest. While it was not life threatening, it required an operation. She mentioned only minor surgery, but we could see how nervous she was. She went for the operation alone, and made her way back similarly. My father had work, and my brother and I made our own excuses.

That night, while cleaning her wound, I realized the truth. She had not said much, so we assumed the surgery did not hurt. Only when I saw her wince, did I realize her pain.

People say it is a terrible thing to feel alone. I discovered how much harder it is to assume a mother's mantle of serving-sacrifice; being surrounded by family, yet performing your role on your own.

My mother is everything good I can ever hope to be and probably never achieve. A hopeful part of me proudly says everything that I am, is inherited from her. I wish so much for this; to have her strength, love and stoicism in the face of pain and odds. And I wish that everyone would know how much my mother, a good mother, has made me love her.

From Julia Neo:

I lost my mum since I was 12 years. You can say I was my own mum after that; looking after myself, cooking for my dad and brother, cleaning the house over the weekend, ironing my own uniforms and making my own decisions. The challenge came when I had to stay with my in-laws after my marriage to beloved husband. The challenge called for both sides (i.e. my mum-in-law and I) to adjust - my mum-in-law being the Queen of the house for the past umpteen years and used to bossing around practically everyone in the house versus me with my "mind your own business" attitude.

My hubby and father-in-law were happy sitting on the fence and hence in a way, no help at all.

I have been married for close to ten years now. That is, I have lived with my mum-in-law for a decade and it is amazing how she has transformed herself to win me over.

She was no talker but doer. I do not like to eat pork but the family simply loves it. What endeared her most to me was she would take out all the pieces of pork before I came home and convince me that it was chicken bone soup.

At other times, she would cook me non-pork dishes so that I could have a good dinner. When she notices I have a slight cough or sore throat, she would automatically cook some cooling dessert or herbal drink.

She does not say much but her actions show that she cares for me very much.

Come weekends, she will usually go out with my father-in-law . Before she leaves, she would prepare a sumptuous lunch and dinner if she knows that I am staying indoors that day. Her reason: eating out is not good for health. Before she comes home from her outing, she would call me to ask if I want any supper.

I broke my leg once and she took care of me from washing to cooking without complaining.

Like her, I am not a talker. I seldom voice out how appreciative I am to her.

Today, I want to be doer, and nominate her for the Mother's Day award she truly deserves.