Mothers

By Isabella Abigail Ow

She struggled and fumbled in her pouch for her token. She must have accidentally dropped it when she found her pouch momentarily unzipped outside a cafe. Instead and finally, her phone finished setting up and she was able to open her TraceTogether app. Right when she was about to tentatively walk over to scan the QR code so she could head up to the auditorium, she recognised a lady and asked if she were Aunty Eloise.

Aunty Eloise seemed to recognise her and asked her how she was doing. This was someone whom she respected — a woman of great faith. Years ago, she had prayed a blessing for her. It was just something she would do, like it was nothing out of the ordinary. Of course, this would be anything but ordinary for whoever received the prayer. Aunty Eloise had made it a lifestyle and was obedient to however she felt that the Lord was leading. She willingly yielded herself as a vessel of love and encouragement to others, and unreservedly.

It is funny how if Edith had found her token, she would not have seen Aunty Eloise, and much less had a conversation with her. Losing her token could have been a blessing in disguise.

The conversation progressed slowly at first. Some of the bigger questions had to be answered first. “Are you still teaching?” and “How long have you been teaching?” were some questions which Aunty Eloise had asked.

“Yes. 6 years.” Edith quipped.

“Where are you teaching?” Aunty Eloise continued with the natural stream of questions.

“…Stanley Secondary School.” Edith thought for a while before revealing this. She did not readily share the school she taught at with others, except perhaps on LinkedIn.

“You must be smart.” Aunty Eloise put forward.

“They train us well in the school. With the training, teachers feel more equipped to teach there.” Edith found herself replying to the statement in a way that seemed humble. Her lack of humility would still surface in the conversation soon after though.

“You must be so busy as a teacher.” Aunty Eloise offered empathy.

Edith shared some of the strategies she had to cope. This was where she exposed her lack of humility, as she went on about her ability to draw boundaries well and to communicate assertively at work. Aunty Eloise listened patiently.

Another lady came by. Aunty Eloise had a lot of friends in church. This, Edith had surmised as much, and was glad she did not feel awkward standing against the glass panel fronting the church’s office. It was Edith’s turn to wait. She felt that the conversation had not ended and did not feel it right to prematurely ask to take her leave. In the past few years, Edith felt that her social anxieties were much reduced. Standing and waiting in that moment were not too uncomfortable for her.

Soon enough, she had a one-on-one opportunity to speak to Aunty Eloise again. The conversation still progressed gradually. It had been a long time since the two had met and interacted. The last interaction, while meaningful and impactful, was still brief. People need to spend time with one another for closeness to develop. No amount of charm or clever communication strategy could accelerate this process.

Edith tried her best to be respectful and polite. She tended to be that way with people who were older than her. She valued their life experiences and the knowledge they had collected in their significant lives. Aunty Eloise was a fount of wealth and wisdom. In this encounter too, she was being especially nice and graceful to enter into a deeper conversation with her. Edith deeply appreciated that.

“Are you attending service with anyone?” Aunty Eloise enquired.

“No. I’m just meeting my friend for dinner later.” Edith responded, with only a hint of sheepishness.

“Oh let’s sit together.” Aunty Eloise generously offered.

At the end of the service, it was Aunty Eloise who patted Edith’s arm, encouraging her to go forward to the altar. Without that prompt, Edith would not have found the courage. The people we surround ourselves with really matter. With the right people, we can be influenced to make the choices that are better for us. The right community can propel us forward in the right direction. We all need encouragement.

Before they parted ways, Aunty Eloise offered to pray another blessing for her. Edith wondered if she remembered about the blessing she had prayed for her at a close friend’s wedding years earlier. It was only a year more before the said significant things were supposed to happen in her life. Edith was excited by this, but did not feel like she should mention this. There was a time and place for everything. This did not feel like the time and place, so she contained that urge to share.

The prayer was an opportunity for Edith to reset and refocus. She also received some affirmation on a specific journey which she was working out. The prayer was very edifying.

They would arrange to meet again, and this Edith very much looked forward to.

A day later while packing her handbag, Edith found her token, which had simply slipped out of her unzipped pouch. It was there while she was searching in her bag just yesterday. She remembered that if it were not for her not being able to find her token, she would not have been delayed. Without the delay, she would not have met Aunty Eloise. God had a way of orchestrating things. The encounter was a reminder that everything in Edith’s life was in His full control, and that she did not have to worry one bit.

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