Despite the weakness in his limbs after two surgeries, liver cancer patient Christopher Rodrigues, 72, walked down the flight of stairs to his 95-year-old mother’s flat, flowers in hand.
Madam Magdalene Rodrigues beamed with joy as she received the Mother’s Day gift.
It was Mr Christopher’s symbol of gratitude for all that his mother has done for him.
Unfazed by her age-related health conditions such as hypertension and high cholesterol, Madam Magdalene remains steadfast as a doting mother to three sons and a daughter, all of them in their 60s and 70s.
Mr Christopher, her youngest son, is due for his third liver surgery later this month – he was diagnosed with liver cancer 10 years ago.
Having previously worked in the banking sector before becoming a security officer, he had to resign from his job.
He fainted three times while on duty and was eventually diagnosed with liver cancer.
“I know he is sick, so I have to take care of him. I cook meals for him three to four times a week,” said Madam Magdalene.
“I live for my children and do whatever I can for them. I love them very much.”
It is a tremendous effort for her, as she herself often feels giddy and has limited mobility. She has a walking frame near the kitchen in case she needs support. She has no domestic helper.
With the groceries she receives every Thursday through Food from the Heart (an initiative which donates food to the needy), she prepares simple meals for Mr Christopher, such as eggs, porridge, fried vegetables and soups.
Mr Christopher himself has limited mobility and relies on a Personal Mobility Device when he goes out.
On the days when he is too weak to go to his mother’s flat to pick up his meals, Madam Magdalene enlists the help of home personal care personnel from Swami Home or volunteers from Blossom Seeds to pass it to him.
For many years, she was the caregiver for her husband, Mr Finian, who died in 2023 after suffering from pneumonia and kidney and heart problems.
Things were not much easier when she was younger.
“We were not well-off, so I had to work three jobs to support the family. I worked in a childcare centre in the morning, did office work in the afternoon and worked at a coffeeshop till 11pm at night.”
She eventually stopped working at the age of 71 as she contracted pneumonia.
Referring to his mother as his “pillar of support”, Mr Christopher was visibly thankful to have his mother’s love and care.
Her hair may have turned grey, skin wrinkled and legs weakened, but Madam Magdalene’s love for her children is everlasting.
12,000 flowers given out for Mother’s Day
Mr Christopher Rodrigues’ beautiful gesture of giving flowers to his mother was part of a Mother’s Day distribution organised by Boss Group – a group of entrepreneurs – and Blossom Seeds, a charity.
The carnation flowers were lovingly handcrafted by people with special needs and seniors.
This was the 16th year that the Boss Group was organising this flower distribution programme.
It distributed 12,000 flowers to mothers and seniors.
Madam Sarasuathy Gopal Naidu, 73, who was at Blossom Seeds Active Ageing Centre for its Mother’s Day celebration on May 9, was happy that mothers like her were honoured.
A former police officer, she works as a security officer six days a week while juggling her role as a caregiver for her husband who has health issues.
“Although I get little rest, I am thankful that my family appreciates my love for them,” she said.
Ms Muthiah Parvathi, 71, volunteers with Blossom Seeds as a medical escort, accompanying seniors living alone to the doctor five times a week.
“For Mother’s Day, my sons and daughters-in-law buy gifts for me, and I do the same. I am lucky to have a loving family,” she said.
