You may be wondering, so what Mario If Cat’s Mum is 36?Let me tell you, I’m 36 and Catherine (Cat) is one of my nicest events coordinator for some of the events I host for a TelCo company here. Honestly, we’re not really close to each other but the vibes with all the guys  and girls I work with seem to be really nice and jolly when we’re on-site, while promoting phone cards, perks and rewards to everyone on Orchard particularly foreigners. We have run-ins with the typical greedy Auntie and Uncle, the ones who argue with us about why free IDD means paying 59cents flat per day when they enable that function as a subscriber, the ones who demand service when their phones aren’t even working, the ones whose phone models they can’t remember themselves, etc., etc!Call me a sucker for heartwarming stories, but, I’m not sure why most people turn to me to open-up and share their life story even If we just met for the very first time. One of my counsellors call it “a gift.” Maybe it is.  Cat & I had a juicy chat about life. She shared with me how her Mum became a Mother at 16. It got even more sensational when she told me that her Dad used to lock her Mum up and that her Dad doesn’t even bring money to provide for the family. Her story moved me a lot and I can imagine how her Mum felt during those days, dark hours, depressing moments. Cat’s Mum & Dad separated for sometime now and she’s been living with her Stepfather and Stepbrother. She’s also mentioned to me that she respects her Stepfather. Her take on life humbles and inspires me. She had a Nanny who went the extra mile. Nanny made sure that she goes to school even if there wasn’t enough to provide for her needs, this Super Nanny shared her personal earnings to ensure that Cat learns well in school and that she gets her books. We need more these SUPER NANNIES! Cat studies at one of Poly’s here and I made a promise to her. “If you’d ever need a mentor to guide you with your resume, among other things – I’m here Cat…my daughter!†We both laughed. Somehow, it was a little awkward knowing that she could’ve been my daughter had I done something as naughty as what my other teenage pals have done during my teenage years. Most of them are quite miserable these days.If not in drugs, they’re just bumming around or driving a “tuk-tuk†in my neighbourhood.
Cat expressed to me – “One day when I’m ready to have kids, I want to make sure that they get the best and I’ll try my best that they won’t suffer the same experience I had as a kid. Seeing my parents fighting right in front of me are visuals that I still see when I’m down and out. It’s a horrible sight.â€Â I hugged Cat and we continued working. I whispered to myself, “that’s my goal too mate..I will do my best to be a friend NOT just an authoritative Dad to my kids, I will do my best to create a more fun ambience at home, I will NOT do all those violent acts mad husbands do to their wives and kids, that my family will honor and promote equality, hospitality, and goodwill to anyone.â€Â Sounds like an NDP pledge, but, what the heck!
More real-life stories soon on this page:)Â