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December 1, 2008 | |||||||
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 The Mothers I Never Had Jason Bundrage Sultanate of Oman Posted August 15, 2001 Who are the unsung heroes in your life? Share your stories. Dear GoodThings, My good thing happened when I was about 19 years old. I am now 46 years old living in Oman with my wife and son and daughter. I was into my first year at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. I was the first person in my family to go off to university. At the time I was living with my mother's brother. I had been living with him for about six years. Initially, it was a difficult adjustment leaving my mother's house, but she thought it would be an ideal arrangement. She was divorced and had five children. My uncle offered to take me in. Since he had two small children I could help them look after them at the weekends. That I did quite a lot. My aunt was a great person because she gave me all kinds of encouragement. I can recall when I was going through a tough period in my life, thinking that my mother had rejected me and that I would never get over looking physically unattractive. At that time, I had the worst case of acne. One morning I was looking into the mirror. I thought that if I could stare long enough that I could make my pimples disappear. Well, my dear aunt entered the bathroom while I was in a trance of sorts. She snatched me out of my stupor by saying, "What you see is what you are, but what you will become depends on accepting yourself and holding your head up when the going gets tough." Those very caring words are what kept me on the right track even when my uncle, her husband, told me that if I would not leave university to accept a job in factory that I would have to leave his house. Well, I didn't accept that job. And to this very day I have no regrets for not having done so. As luck would have it, a friend's mother took me in. Thinking that I would fare better if I transferred to another university, I set about the business of doing so. I was accepted to The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. On weekends, I would visit my friend whose family took me in. The woman's name is Dora Gough. I shall NEVER forget her. She made it possible that I complete my first degree by giving me a place to come home to at the weekends. She also provided me with an allowance. In exchange for her generosity, I would do house cleaning for her. It worked out just splendidly. She told me that she got the son that she always wanted, and I got the mother I never had. I have always felt that if a person has the right attitude and spirit no matter how dark and gloomy life appears, good things do and will happen to those who are good. The adversities that I have had in my life have served to make me a stronger, generous and more caring person. Whenever I can and I do make a point of it, I do try to help others in need. Eight years ago, I adopted a poor family here in Oman. Every month I make it a point to assist that family by doing all sorts of good things. It is a pleasure and an honor to be in a position to offer help to needy people and to volunteer my time. It is the little things in life which make all the difference in another person's life. Doing good things and having someone smile is worth more than money in the bank. It leaves a person with such a good feeling. I think if more people thought to do good things, then there would not be so much suffering in the world. To Dora Gough and my aunt, I would like you to know that if it had not been for the kind support from both of you, I would have have been anchorless in this life. Doing a good thing has its own rewards. Jason Bundrage lives in Oman and teaches at Sultan Qaboos University in Al Khoud. He reports that "short-story writing is alive and kicking." His son Mohammad is a writer entering the 10th grade in The American International School of Muscat (TAISM) years and has a passion for writing rich, spirited, heartwarming stories. To sample Mohammad's writing, please visit his Web site. (e-mail Jason) Readers Respond Dear GoodThings, I just read the (now rather old) short story about the good people in Jason's life. I have had a terrible time accepting what the rest of the world seems to have been living with for ages - that there are violent people in this world and that there is precious little I can do about it except what is in front of me. I have resolved to surf the Web in search of good things and good people in an attempt to stop the tears. Thanks for making me smile. Thanks! Alycia Keating Dear GoodThings, I was very much interesting to read the above story. It was really a good thing that had happened with Jason's life. It is an act of that changed the whole course of his life. I do fully agree with his view that doing good things and making someone smile is worth more than money in the bank. I should say that goodthings multiplies as you go on in life doing goodthings for others and sharing the good you have with you. It will never get exhausted. The more you give, the more it keeps paying back to you. It is the longest chain which will move on forever until the act of kindness is remembered and paid back again. With best wishes and kind regards, Dharam Pradhan Mumbai, India Want to share your stories of inspirational people in your life? Send 'em our way. |
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