IT WILL be my third Mother’s Day tomorrow and I would like to greet all mothers out there a happy Mother’s Day. Being and becoming a mother has been the single most lifechanging moment for me.

The first time I saw my daughter Sunis, she was still frail-looking with varied tubes attached to her at the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and I wasnt able to hold her yet for the first five days of her life. We both survived those first few days on hospital vigils, breastmilk donations, and me trying to establish my milk supply without a baby latched on my breasts.

One of the first major decisions I made when I became a mother was to breastfeed my daughter. This might seem like a trivial choice for others in this day and age when everything could be bought in an instant. But happily I was able to provide for my daughter’s milk needs, with the help of my trusty breast pump, poncho and cooler, while I remained a full time career woman. At 38 months, Sunis has not yet weaned herself and breastfeeding remains as one of our top bonding activities to date.

During the first two months of my daughter’s life, I contemplated on giving up my job and become a full time mom to her. I admit that I used to envy stay-at-home mothers who get to see every milestone of their child’s life. I admire mothers who give up profitable careers to be with their little ones and how I wished I could do the same. But one thing I realized was that in having a child I did not have to give up on my own aspirations. Being a mother is not the only thing I am. At the end of the day, its but one of the roles that I have to fulfill.

Fortunately for me I made a choice to become a career woman and mother. The support of my parents, especially my own mother, and our household help tremendously helps me in fulfilling my responsibilities at work, fully knowing that my child is lovingly cared for at home.

I used to think that becoming a mother will put to a stop the volunteer work and advocacies which are close to my heart. I had my share of being told that my advocacies won’t feed me, but I continue to do what I do and stand my ground for what I strongly believe in, whether it is for breastfeeding, heritage, arts, culture or music. While doing advocacy work, I always make sure that I do not rob my child of quality time that I spend best with her. Time will come and may be Sunis will have advocacies of her own, I would take pride if she stands up for what she believes in.

I feel thankful for the opportunities and the support that my mother has given me throughout the years. While we are not well off, my parents did their best to give us the best that they could. I may not have had luxury stuff growing up, but my mother’s encouragements have opened a lot of doors for me, whether in my academic life, girl scouting activities or volunteer work as a young girl.

My mother instilled in me a deep sense of appreciation for history, arts and culture, taking me to classical music concerts or theater plays when she could. I must have taken from her my sense of wanderlust, of always wanting to see the world and taking interest in travel could teach us. I could only hope and see if my daughter will appreciate all the lessons and interests that I try to pass on to her as well.

I admit I still am a young mother who still needs mothering too. I am so happy that my own mother and my grandmother are still around and I appreciate what life lessons I could learn from them. At the end of the day, each mother’s journey is unique and I could only pray that we find courage and grace to face each day of our mothering life.

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