Late Night Mum

Mum began her Ph. D. in Theology in 1995. The computer entered our house in early 1996. Slowly yet steadily, Mum became more and more of a night owl. When I was in school, I used to wonder what made her sit back so late and work on her thesis and stuff. I got to college and I understood. There've been nights when I've yakked away my time till midnight, and then sat down to work on some project (read: awesome animated intro) or finish up my notes - which could go on till about 4 or 5 in the morning. I surprised myself at such times, because I'm generally quite lazy by nature. However, I also understood why Mum used to sit up so late - the brain finds it easier to crank at high speeds when there's nothing/no one else around. I still loving sitting up at night, yawns and sleepy eyes in full tow - to get that article done, to finish up that email or to just devour the latest news on technology's greatest. You may think this is wrong, but I think this is an invaluable part of my  life and I feel hugely indebted to my Mum for leading the way, lighting the path ahead and raising me to these heights. Thanks, Mum.

My Mum, the prolific brainiac

Yes, my mum - Mrs. Beulah Herbert - is a terrifyingly awesome brainiac. Right from her days of teaching Physics, to being the first lady missionary with the FMBP organisation, she has dived into and fully devoured many avenues of living. This awesome property and capacity to just get into a field and be fully submerged in it is something that's often understated and misunderstood. It doesn't communicate well to the onlookers - but if you closely analyse Mum's life, she's really been a star at everything she's taken on. The aforementioned Physics and missionary notwithstanding, I could wax eloquent about her desire to pick a little-known or little-advertised topic for her theological doctorate degree. There are things I ask her (from various topics ranging from Biblical anomalies to cooking disasters) even today, and her answers are never succinct - there's just way too much information in Mum's head to give out simplistic answers. This brainiac-ness has hopefully made it through into me in some way. Even if it hasn't, I am blessed beyond measure in just being a son to such an amazing lady. Thanks, Mum, for being who you are.