a tribute to mothers...

I bet I’m the worst daughter in terms of thoughtfulness. I feel ashamed in myself that I did not remember that today, the world is celebrating the day for mothers. Thanks to my hubby he reminded me when he texted me informing that he’s on his way to the flower shop to get his mom a big bunch of flowers. Oh boy …

So I hurriedly sent my mom an sms greeting her a happy mother’s day. But unlike my boyfriend, I couldn’t go to the flower shop to get my mom some bouquets this late, she lives a pacific away. Hmmm, that’s quite a thousands of miles, I guess.

But thanks to my blog site, I have a way to express my gratitude to my mom and to all the moms of the world. Needless to say, I thank her for carrying me inside her for nine months and giving me the chance to see the world by risking her life when she gave birth to me. And all the tears she shed in giving me life and raising me well and proper, I would never be able to repay.

I had not seen my mom for four years now. So I’m looking forward to seeing her in July. I’m going to see her at last. There’s a story that I will tell her.

All the while I knew that I’m close to my mom. But that I’m closer to my dad given that I’m the oldest of six and the first girl. It’s a general knowledge that eldest girls are typically, daddy’s girls. But a difficult experience revealed something else to me.

When I first came to Bangkok, my appendix erupted that I had to have an emergency surgery. I went to a hospital and had the surgery all alone [the story is in the article “Living abroad with God]. When I woke up, still lying on the operating table, a terrible pain hit me. I was calling for help, weakly whispering, “Mama, mama!” It was her name and not my dad’s that automatically came out my mouth. It stuck in my head ever since.

Why not? Mothers, regardless of any situation and circumstance, endured so much just to bring you and me in this world. No one can remove that fact.

So today, the world is paying hats off to all mothers of the world. hApPy mOtHeRs dAy to all moms.



[I don't have any good photo of my mom. I just got this one from my brother's site in friendster. In this photo, my mom and dad were having a picnic in one of the beautiful water falls in the island of Palawan, Philippines.]



[My hubby and his mom. A perfect picture of a mother and son. .: Photo used with permision from the owner, Nilda Josko]

What I want to tell mother, but cannot ...

To my only Mom,

I was five and I was at school on that wonderful day. I was attentively listening to the teacher, she was telling a story. Somebody called me and pointed the window. You were there standing, making signs, asking me to come out. You were showing me something, a beautiful umbrella in your hand. With pride, I walked out the room, slowly. In my mind I was shouting, "My mom bought me an umbrella!" On that very day, I knew I've got a great mom.

It was when I was old enough to know that you were on the verge of death when I was two, my sister was six months, and dad had no money, which I realized, love can endure death. When you were almost dead, saved your mind, but you held on, because you could not accept that a step mom will raise your girls. I then knew, you're a brave mom.

We were sitting in the kitchen one evening, I was very young, you were telling me the story of how you fought for my dad choosing him over your mom, thanks to the kerosene lamp I was seeing your face, and I smiled. You fought for the best dad I could ever have.

I could even picture you carrying a bundle in your arms late at night. It was me in your arms. You left dad because you could not stand his family. You can be so stubborn in your own way but dad loved you so much anyway. He turned his back from his family, for you and me.

It was that pain in your face whenever grandma scolded me; it was that suppressed anger in your heart whenever my elder cousin hurt me, and it was the way you protected me from bullies that made me looked up at you.

You're the best teacher I ever had. Because of you, I was able to realize the talents and skills that I had. You were the one who made me win the first competition that I signed up. When you wrote that winning declamation piece for me entitled "Felipa", you had no idea how much impact it made to my life. You taught me how to take a stage and conquer a congregation of whatever size. You made me feel big within. You had so much faith in me. It was the start and the very reason why I believe in myself so much.

You're the worst debater that I ever met. You don't listen, you always win. You always get your way. And because of that, you always hurt my dad. I saw it, and I made a vow. I would never do that to my future husband. I would never be as stubborn as you are. And I would always say "sorry" when I hurt someone.

Whenever we had a fight, I always tried my best not to answer back. God knows I always did. But ironically, I always had to answer back for you to stop. I'm really sorry about that, but I believed, I had the right to save my ears.

You have a secret. You did not know that I knew it. No one does but me. And nobody will. I will carry it down to my grave.

I take pride of how much you take care of your home. Your skill in handling a house is second to no one. I can bring friends at home at any time, I don't have to fear. Your house is always presentable and you're always the best hostess that I've ever known.

I always long for the time when we make laundry together. It means girls talk' and gossiping'. And I always feel good when we shop together. Our fashion style and taste are very identical. I'm a hundred and one percent certain that you're my mom.

I know that I'm not a perfect daughter. But I also know that you love me just as I am. Whatever I am now, it is because of the way you brought me up. You and dad, the best gift I ever had.