If there’s one person I know who doesn’t get much recognition and honor, it’s my mom. Every time I try to say something to her to express my appreciation and love, she automatically squirms and makes a joke out of it, trying to diffuse whatever tension gets built up inside of her. Most of the time, she really has no idea how to respond to compliments or to words of encouragement and affection!

This is precisely why I think this is the best channel for me to express my thanks to her. If she does get to read this (which I am almost sure she will, since she stalks me!haha), she would have no choice but to read through the whole post, even if she squirms in her seat.

My mom is not the typical “stay-at-home” mom who cooks, plans the menu, does household chores, and all those homemaker/mommy things. When my siblings and I were still very young, she was not the type who would bathe us, or who would breastfeed till it hurt. No, my mom really doesn’t fit how people would normally picture a stay-at-home mother and housewife. I didn’t really see her do any of these things for us when we were growing up.

But I have seen how my mom would always wait up for my dad each night that he had to stay late in the hospital for surgery or to do rounds, and would make sure that there was dinner waiting for him when he got home.  Though she never cooked, she would always heat our food for us in the microwave (hehe). I have seen how she would wait in the car for two or more hours, while my dad had to attend to an emergency admission. I have seen how she would hide her sadness from me every time I came home from school and would talk to her about how rough my day has been. Whenever I cried, I saw how she would try to stop the tears from her eyes so she could tell me that it will all be okay. Although she was never the domesticated type, She served her husband and her children in her own way, and it always came naturally for her. It came naturally for her to think of her cares last.

My mom is the most generous person that I know, and I say this without exaggeration. If she has 2,673,455, 520 pesos on her, I honestly think she would not think twice in giving away the 2,673,450,000, leaving only a very small portion for herself. She loves being able to give to people (not just her children). Every childhood memory I have includes her, giving. She gives of herself and gives what she has without hesitation.  The best part of this is, she never asks for recognition or for anything else in return. She gets her joy from the fact that she was able to give. I remember a number of times when I would tell her “Sige ma, I’ll tell ______  you gave this”, and she would answer me “Wag na. Hindi naman kailangan malaman pa nila kung sino ang nagbigay.” (No one needs to know who gave it). Those were the times when I saw how pure her heart is in wanting to bless people.

My mom is my best girl friend. I have always known that I could tell her anything and everything, and she would be there, ready to rejoice with me or to cry with me. No, the giving-advice part has always been my dad’s role. With my mom, it was more of having someone who I could share everything with, and know that this person has my best interests in mind, and would share in whatever it is I am going through.

My mom taught me to believe the best in people. She always has. Though many have hurt her, my mom always chose to look the other way, keep quiet, and wait. She would wait and would not stop loving those people.

My mom imparted her love for decorating to me. Not only is she artistic, she has good taste and a good eye for what is beautiful, too. I would like to be able to say I got these traits of hers.

My mom is someone who doesn’t get recognized much, and doesn’t get appreciated often, not because she deserves it any less, but because everything that is beautiful in her and her character is consistent and flows naturally, that people often take it for granted.

Mama, I hope this day would serve its purpose of reminding you how truly special you are. I know you do not even realize it, but you are touching many lives with your kindness and goodness. Thank you for your unconditional love towards us. Thank you for being my mom and my best friend. Thank you for loving my kids so much, and for caring for them in ways you never even have when we were still babies (hehe, NOW you change their diapers and clean the house!) Thank you for your extreme generosity…so extreme, I sometimes have to tell you to stop. Thank you for being you. We love you so much mama. Very, very much.

HAPPY MOTHERS’ DAY.

PS: Ma, Nandiri ka sa title nito noh?? hehehe