Today the whole world celebrates the life of our mothers. We can't express enough words how much we really appreciate and love them for all the sacrifices they have made for us since we were formed in their wombs until we grow up, learning to walk and finally run. Even running away from their sight & embrace, or pieces of advice.
My mother passed away on February 28, 1996. I was 16 years old then. That was a month away from my high school graduation. Since elementary to high school, our good memories together were when I would look after her at the hospital bed. Almost every year, specifically during summer time, she is admitted in the hospital. I didn't understand why God allowed it to happen to her. But those moments were filled with good memories of being with her, spending more time and just listening to her stories. I remember those times wherein my parents and the four of us younger siblings (among the 6) were just sitting or lying on the bed under our acacia tree for a late afternoon chat. Normally our parents would tell their stories, most of which are their "histories." This story telling came with boiled bananas as our merienda. So simple lazy afternoon during summer where we could just be with them. I remember how our mother shared her own story of coming from a family of a strict father. One of her funny experiences in the past was when her father arrived home drunk, shouting to turn on the lights. There was a total black out in the Barangay that time. So in fear of her father, she ran at the back of their house and lit the dried banana leaves which burned their backyard! Woohoo, everyone got panicked! Good for them that the house didn't get burned down.
Another sweet memories of her during my early high school days was when I arrived home tired and hungry, I smelled my favorite viand! She set aside a bamboo shoot with crabs cooked in coconut milk, saluyot, okra & corn. That was so yummy & really touched my heart. And when I ate, she joined with me.
Another thoughtful act of my mother was, in my grade school, though we were so tight in our budget, she bought 3 new shirts for me. I was surprised when I saw them in the cabinet and I learned that she got them for three-gives. I was contented with what I had that time because of our situation, yet she knew what I desired even if I hadn't expressed them.
I think my mother influenced me in the area of being organized at home & how to save & find ways to get what I need & want. She also influenced me in cooking that's why most of my favorite Ilonggo cuisines at present are those that I saw her preparing.
Those influences she had on me contributed a lot to my present family. At home, I'm into interior design while my wife Divine is into maintaining cleanliness & tidiness. I am the one in-charge of the food to prepare as long as I'm present which is normally dinner times and whole day if weekends.
That was about my mother.
Now that I'm married to the most beautiful woman of my dreams, I'm likewise seeing how God is so amazingly using her to be the best mom for Dana and Ardi. I'm all the more awed at God's design for the moms. As she is taking care of our kids, I am also reflecting on His loving heart - so patient, so sacrificing, so persevering.
Last Night, I asked Dana what she appreciates about her mom, she said, "She takes care of me, she checks on me when I am sick, she reads books with me & memory verses from the Bible." She added, "we play together and go to SM."
Divine's heart is to ensure that our kids will grow in character, fearing & loving God above anything or anyone else. We acknowledge that apart from God, this is impossible.
I pray that as my wife continues to take care of our children, she will continue to find strength and nourishment from our Abba Father. May His wisdom continue to guide her for every single step she takes for the best of our children.
I also pray for all the moms along with this passage, "Train a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." -Proverbs 22:6
