Sunday, May 11, 2008 Moises and Mendez-Palmares: Momomee By Darwin John Moises and Michelle Mendez-Palmares singles talk
Michelle: Happy Mother’s Day to all the mommies, especially to my mom, Malu. Now that I am a mother myself, I can say that I have a better appreciation of my mom. Not that I thought little of her before but when one is young, rebellious, headstrong and filled with teenage (or quarter life) angst, mothers can sometimes be considered as enemy No. 1.
My mom and I had our share of fights when I was a teenager, which I attributed mostly to her insistence that my sisters and I have our hair curled like hers.
We’d laugh about it now but at that time I did not think it was a laughing matter that my hair resembled a mushroom cloud. Don’t get me wrong. Our mom didn’t deliberately want us to look like trolls but for her, she just wanted what was best for her children, including the best hairstyle (according to her).
Parents want to give the best to their children. Mothers, I believe, will even try to give what is better than best. No sacrifice is too great; no pain is too unbearable that mothers will not go through for the sake of their children.
DJ: I agree with you, Mic. I wasn’t exactly a good boy. I was hasty in growing up. I had questions that made people exceedingly nervous. My imagination never took a nap. But she did her best to guard the door of innocence.
She taught me to be shocked and not delighted when something disgusting happens. She taught me the importance of honesty by starting with the basic — I should not to lie through my milk teeth. That must be the reason why I had more boiled peanuts and less candy! But seriously, dad and mom have always been very much part of my own evolution not only in being good but also of being whole.
M: When I think of the times that I challenged my mom’s patience or answered her back with a caustic remark and she would still continue to love me unconditionally, I wince with regret. I am sorry, mom. If it’s a challenge to take good care of one toddler, I can imagine how difficult it is to be a mother of four or more kids. It is hard work being a mother, especially for one who is also working.
If “plain housewife” is not considered a full-time job, I don’t know what is. Try balancing the budget, preparing meals that everyone eats without complaints, managing the household, tutoring school age kids, plus pleasing the spouse after all the household work is done. I bet even the best six sigma, black belter, lean quality engineer will have a difficulty keeping it all together. That’s why I honor working mothers who not only work to provide additional income for the family but also work to provide for a better environment and a better future for their children. It’s not enough that we have a lot of money to be able to buy what our children need or want but we have the moral fiber to impart to our children the values and attitudes that will help them become men and women of integrity.
DJ: Dad’s expression of his love to us as his children is to love our mom. She is his constant source of inspiration and balance. Dad defined how power is applied; mom taught me the restraint with which it is dispensed.
Dad taught me to kick with either foot; mom taught me to avoid anything that will give me dragon breath and technicolor teeth. With dad’s passing early last year, mom’s example made it even more real for me not to expect the world or our circumstance to change and cater to what I want. We cannot always change the situation but we can change ourselves. And we cannot change anything until we accept it.
M: It is said “the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.” Mothers strongly influence their children. Good mothers make good children. After all, the fruit doesn’t fall too far from the tree. There are always exceptions to the rule, though, but generally if a child is raised well, he or she becomes a positive influence and a good example to others. That’s why it’s a great privilege and a blessing to be a mother, and I’m referring not only to those who have borne a child. It takes greater responsibility to rear a child.
After giving birth, there are more “birth” pains that mothers have to go through for their children’s welfare. So, thank you, mommy. I know dad is proud of you, as we are, too. And thank God for all the moms who make their children proud. I hope my li’l boy can say the same of me when he’s all grown up. And I promise I won’t dictate his hairstyle!
DJ: And as my hairline continues to recede, I am also learning that as with other relationships, our relationship with our folks needs work. They never stop being our parents. And we never stop being their children. Let’s not take them for granted while they are here or we might miss them when they’re gone.
Most of the things that we regret in life are not the things we did but the things we failed to do. And so today, let’s raise a toast to our mothers who made the most of who and what they are just for us to be who and what we are today.
The world is still crazy but we’re doing just fine. Let’s honor them for making even the ordinary a lot more extraordinary. Through them we’re better persons and are now leading a better life. Our tribute to them is not to live it only for ourselves but also for others. Happy Mother’s Day, mom!
