NO ONE can ever surpass our mother’s love. It has no bounds, no limits. God created our mothers to bear all the sacrifices from womb to tomb. They are those who will accept us whoever and whatever we are.
On this special day dedicated to them, let us signify our utmost love and care that even how intense can never reciprocate what they have for us. Let us not only do it on this special occasion but all the days of the year until their lifetime. Most importantly, we have to do it until we can still see them, until they can appreciate them, until you will not regret you have not done it while they are still alive.
My mother, I fondly called Inay (culturally because both of my parents came from Batangas) is an epitome of an inclusive being who always finds joy in meeting all our needs.
I may be a breadwinner in the family but I did not enjoy her exclusive attention since she treated us equally that may also be the reason why I am also doing it towards my co-employees from the lowest up to the highest rank. A trait that I got from my mother, my Inay.
I was in second-year college when Tatay got sick, his foot was amputated due to Gangrene, a complication of Diabetes Mellitus. It stopped him from working and left the family without income as my mother then used to support him by doing household chores and taking care of us while Tatay was trying his best to support all our needs. Inay and my younger brother took the cudgels of doing what Tatay used to do and even how meager it was, it helped the family survived while I was still continuing my college education to prepare myself to assume the role as head of the family.
It was a solid two and a half years that Inay and my younger brother tried all kinds of menial jobs with my Tatay though sporting crutches also helped even in his little way to sell some items to add to our family’s income. The situation did not dampen my spirit but still provide me with the strength and determination to finish college, even became editor of our college paper and president of our student council to compensate for their effort of supporting my education.
I did not hear Inay complaining about the role she assumed from my ailing Tatay and despite doubling her efforts of playing the role of taking care of Tatay’s condition and doing her dual role (even multi-task) as woman in the house and provider.
When I graduated from college and landed a job, I immediately assumed the role of head of the family and only got married at the age of 27 after seeing to it that my siblings can already stand on their feet and ready to be independent themselves.
I did not regret that before she finally followed Tatay to the next life, I was able to fulfill her wish to be reunited with her brother and sisters in Batangas, and without her telling me, I saw to it that she would experience her first air travel before God would take her borrowed life.
To Inay, I know you are already in God’s hands with Tatay, always remember that I will not frustrate you with how you reared me since I was a child until I was near 50. Rest assured, you and Tatay will be proud of us, your children.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!