don’t leave
October 30, 2015 • 15 comments • 5181 viewsSo my mom’s maid of 18 years is leaving for good. I knew this day was going to come, I know people don’t get any younger, but I’m not ready for this.
This was the woman who took care of me, cooked for me, prepared me in the morning for school, carried me into the toilet and forced me to shower, the woman who cried the day I got engaged, the woman who never complained and always saw the good in me. She took care of the whole family, putting our needs before hers always. She’s, without a doubt, family. Oh, may God bless this selfless woman who have done so much for my family, and grant her heaven.
It all happened because her daughter is now grown up and wants her to return so that she can take care of her own mom. In my heart, I’m screaming I’ll take care of her, please let us take care of her!! but I know that’s just the selfish in me talking. No matter how long you put a mother away from her children, her heart always belongs to them. Sometimes we forget our maids and helpers have their own families that we may or may not even have asked them about. If you have maids too, treat them with kindness always. They travel away from their family to take care of your family and watch your family unite in happiness while she stays in the back room, only God knows how that must feel.
I am the closest to her so I think I’ll be taking this the hardest. I was thinking to give her a farewell gift, but what on earth do you give someone who devoted her life for you and your family? Umm hi, thanks for the 18 years, would you like a spa voucher?! -___-” Money? Gold jewellery? A photo frame of the two of you? What?!
Then I realised I have the perfect gift.
A one-way ticket back to Kuala Lumpur.
#criesariver
#dontleave
#willbedepressedforaweek
If she is a Muslim, pay for her Haj trip?
Wait, good bye to your maid.
Same like me. We bid a goodbye to our maid, basically after almost 16 years with us.
I think your maid deserve Business Class during her journey to be back at her hometown.
heheh!
Definitely money, or some sort of health plan for back home so her needs are taken care of as she ages?
Gold..can be useful for her…
visit her once a while in her hometown, she definitely will be happy to see you and your family.
Omg I’m teared up while reading this! Haj trip would spend alot of money like alotttt, Umrah should be better or a trip for her and family to somewhere nice???
I don’t think sending her for Haj is appropriate, the Ulama said only those who are capable financially. People can’t used gift money to perform Haj, wallahualam 🙂
you have a heart of gold vivy. really.
1. Pay for her Hajj
2. Bring her to Umrah
3. Pay a visit to her hometown (bring ur kids too, they will appreciate it a lot – I have done this before)
4. Pay her a business/first class ticket to her hometown
Yes i agree! Pay for her hajj, that’s absolutely the best gift for her.
bagi barang kemas… tahan lama. emas 916 tanpa campur emas putih. sekian.
Hi Vivy,
I remember you blogged about her a lot before you got married. I somehow understand the bond you have with your maid :’)
alhamdulillah you’re lucky to have got a good maid (maybe because your family are good people as well). 18 years is a long time and somehow I’ve never thought of how it is to spent 18 years away from your family in someone else’s house. this kind of open my eyes a bit and although my previous experiences with maids hasn’t been good this definitely made me realize what these people coming from other country had to go through.
Your readers have amazing gift ideas!
Pay for her umrah./hajj, sponsor a business/first class ticket home (bet you already did this a few times) or even pay her a visit or more.
I feel for helpers who have their own children to take care of back home but are forced to leave them to find better opportunities elsewhere.
I’ve engaged in a few hourly babysitters and when I ask about family, it just breaks my heart.
They have their own child back home and they only get to meet once a year. I cannot imagine leaving my child and communicating with them only via phone calls or video calls.
I agree that the least we can do is to treat them like family.
May Allah swt bless them abundantly.
Teared my eyes while reading this! Esp the part when they see us unite with family. Never thought about that! Cries a river now