The world of Tzu Chi March 2020(Vol.120)

ouching Life Story sister in the UK. The remaining items and furniture, including Heah Tin’s bed, a small table and a few chairs, were arranged neatly in the spacious living room. Kent requested to preserve a vintage perming iron affixed to the wall as a keepsake and a homage to his mother’s hairdressing legacy. A bittersweet bond “Open the door, Kent! We’re here!” the volunteers hollered from outside the house to alert Kent of their arrival, as the entrance to the house appeared to be securely locked. Kent isolated himself in his room nearly all the time. Both mother and son were constantly at odds with each other, their turbulent relationship fraught with resentment and hostility. “She interrupts my sleep by making a mess in the middle of the night, tearing out her diapers and soiling the bed. I’m tired of cleaning up after her. I’m going to tie her up if she continues causing trouble,” grumbled Kent to the volunteers, who willingly lent him a listening ear. The volunteers’ visits gave Kent an outlet to vent his frustration. Heah Tin sought solace in the volunteers’ company too. She kept her head down in silence and avoided eye contact with her son, intimidated by his presence. In his absence, she would secretly confide in the volunteers and revealed that she would recoil in fear whenever her son raised his voice at her. The volunteers would patiently listen to Kent’s complaints and gently counsel him, “Your mother now behaves like a six-year-old, so care for her as you would a child, just as your mother cared for you in your childhood. Save more smiles for her and speak to her softly. Be more considerate towards her to quell her fear.” At the same time, the volunteers consoled Heah Tin by speaking well of Kent, “Kent is a filial son. He has been staying by your side all along.” The volunteers hoped that both mother and son would learn to cherish each other and mend their relationship to foster a loving home. Sharing the burden Heah Tin had been troubled by digestive problems and a poor appetite, resulting in severe malnutrition and leaving her too feeble to walk. She laid in bed most of the time due to her weak legs. The mattress sagged under her weight as the bedsprings had lost their resilience, hence the volunteers were worried that her posture would be affected in the long run. The volunteers contacted several recycling centres to source for assistive equipment for Heah Tin. They eventually managed to procure an adjustable hospital bed and a mobile toilet, as well as a wheelchair for Kent to take her outdoors to bask in the sunlight and some fresh air. Kent admitted that he was not suited for the task of bathing his mother, so he left it to the volunteers, who were more than willing to help. The volunteers carried Heah Tin to the bathroom, but she resisted, dreading the chilling sensation of bathing with cold water. Without hesitation, the volunteers prepared warm water for Heah Tin’s bath as she muttered her appreciation for the volunteers’ thoughtful gesture. Heah Tin also suffered from bedsores after spending prolonged periods of time lying in bed. The volunteers treated her bedsores with topical antiseptics, cleaned her wounds and applied medication, besides advising Kent to pay attention to her hygiene. Bringing hearts together Kent was once diagnosed with mild depression. He had quit his medication regimen as his condition is now under control, 2020 • 03 46