I'm grateful that I continue to grow and learn. It's somewhat amazing that I'm now a boy of 14 in the chapter of adolescence. It's good to see that amidst mistakes and failures I stay as a person with morale and a man having faith in God. What I've become today I thank, first of all, to God, and for my parents. And for this article, in honor of the occasion on May 13, it would be my mother.
She gave birth to me at the 10th of June, year 1997. I'm sure it was hard labor. I'm sure it took my parent's—and my mother's—effort, love, and time for me to grow healthy and strong from the day she delivered me. She gave the name Paul, from the apostle Paul, to complement with Adrian, which my father brainstormed, coming from the former NBA player Adrian Dantley. My first nourishment came from her. The first attention and care I got was from her and Dad. I now think of her holding me in her arms, caressing me, cradling me to sleep. That's the care my mother garbed in me. The tender loving care I need as an infant. The TLC resembling the little picture of mother and child in a soap of the same name.
As a little tot, mama is there. As mama said, as our church pastor told, and as I saw it, I was a child that was described as makulit. Pesky, stubborn, most of the time irritating and bothering. Really childish. Going here, going there. Running around, chattering endlessly....childish. Just childish. But all the way, she became patient with me. She disciplined me little by little. Her discipline has a great impact on me. If it weren't for it, I'll hardly become a kind and obedient boy(even a shy boy). From going bananas to staying quiet.
She also taught me as a child what is right and wrong. She has great influence on me when it comes to values and faith. It was generally from her that I learned things like prayer, the Bible, and other things when it comes to Him. I remember consulting her when I had questions about what I've read on the Bible and on Our Daily Bread.
Recollections with Mama
I also recall those times when I'm with her at the office at any day of summer or Christmas season. At the office what I'll only do is to roam around the office, play Super Mario on her computer(I learned that game there) or go on the Net either through that computer or her office-mate's(or my tita's) computer, eat with her during lunch, and see her at work or outside the office for such work to do.
At outings, mama is my fellow traveler. It's nice to recollect those outings where I'm with my mother and her office-mates. The cozy vacations on Batangas near the Shell plant. That remarkable trip on Bataan where I saw Mt. Samat and the big monument—a big cross, Dambana ng Kagitingan—in honor of the people who suffered on the Death March. The beach at the province of Quezon. Those journeys I was with my mother.
But even at Walter Mart or Festival Mall, it's nice to be with mother, as well as with my father or the whole family. At those times we'll saunter along stores and sections of the supermarket, and the best part, eat at either Tropical Hut, McDonalds, Ho Chai Lai or anywhere we or I want to eat.
"For your own good"
Tough there were those great times, there were also those circumstances where I have misunderstandings or disappointments with her. It's a part of life. I couldn't avoid it when I fail that I make Mama angry and frustrated. I even hate those times when I see her furious in such an unconventional way. It is hurtful sometimes when she turns irascible or thwarted due to a misstep.
I'll also admit that I'm nagged at times when I am scolded or reprimanded by mama that I also became embarrassed. But all of it were, and always be, for my siblings' and my good. She said it one definite time, and I understood it in a snap.
I'm now a grown-up, so I should now have grown to be responsible, reverent, and compliant, yet I know I still have to learn more things as an adolescent. I'll learn them by everyday experience and of course, by the guidance of my parents—by her guidance and advice.
Mama in person
What more could I say about Mama?
Mama is a great cook. Every noche buena, media noche, or any other occasion or gathering or simple day, Mom cooks a great meal. Coming from the land where people love to cook and eat—Tarlac—Mama makes delicious meals and courses, from the main dish to the dessert.She knows many recipes.There's the cordon blue, chicken croquetes, nilagang baka(boiled beef with vegetables), beef steak, beef and broccoli, caldereta, shrimp in chili, etc. There are many of them, including one of her specialties, the meal abro(boiled green beans and jute).
In every meal she cooks, there's the yummy taste that makes the family or the visitor eat for more. I'm a big eater of her delightful food. She is a great cook that I also want to learn from her how to cook and make recipes.
Mama is an intelligent woman. She graduated at Far Eastern University with a course of Zoology. Yet, she also graduated at University of the Philippines Los Bańos with the course of Developmental Communication, or Dev Com. I consult her at such information, and I get knowledge from her during some conversations. Now she pursues a doctorate degree on [the same course (edited 5/9/15)]. Wish her all the best!
Mama is good to talk with. I have nice discussions with her on anything either I or Mama or Ate or Dad care to talk about. We mostly talk about issues, politics, and news and give our own opinions regarding the topic discussed. But I also come to her when I have such problems, some of them she considers and I realized as only small problems. Yet knowing that there is someone who'll lend an ear to what you have to say is a big relief for me. There I'll always say that after a long day's work(schoolwork), it's relieving to have a family, a home to come back to.
There's one more thing I'm pleased to say regarding Mama. One night I had a long talk with her while I massaged her. At that discussion, we talked about books, literature, and writing. She's really a reader. That's why no wonder she subscribed to Reader's Digest when I was still young. Unfortunately, the subscription stopped, maybe because I sabotaged them and cut the pages(I was not an avid reader yet then). She also reads the papers whenever she wants to. She said to me that she read before a column written by Teddy Benigno, and she likes the Lifestyle section. In addition, Mama has some books retrieved and now shelved with my other books at the house.
But above all what we've talked about, I've learned one great thing: she has a flair for writing. She told me she wrote poems during her good old days. Unfortunately, they aren't with her anymore. If they were just sitting at some table in our house, I'll read it. I saw her name at articles on the weekly supplement of the Manila Bulletin, the Philippine Panorama, which were about Industrial Technology and Development Institute(ITDI), a branch of the Department of Science and Technology(DOST)—where she works as a communications specialist—growing old yet improving and continuing to serve the people. I also saw her page in the magazine of ITDI when it was still National Institute of Science and Technology(NIST). She wrote book reviews on the magazine NIST Monitor. I also noticed her again on an article from Malaya Business Insight online.
Knowing that Mama is a reader and a writer, I got another inspiration for my writing. I think I got those writing genes from her. I even consulted her before when I have such questions regarding grammar. She'll let me know if I'm using Filipino words incorrectly. Yes. I get inspiration and influence from such people and literature as a writer in the making(as Mama had said), but Mama would be another spur for my growing interest and skill.
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Mama. I'm grateful to have her. Isn't it that every mother who loves and cares is a blessing to her family? Mothers. They are a great blessing from God to every children, to every family.
To my Mama, thank you for everything. Thank you for this life. Thanks for every love and care. I hope that as you continue to go on through the cycle of life, though there will be problems and storms to come along, may the Lord bless and guide you all the way. As always, trust in Him. I know your family will be here for you. Reach for your dreams. Stay happy. Keep well.
With love and gratitude, and on behalf of Ate, Kuya, and Dad...Happy Mothers Day!
...And happy anniversary to you, my parents!
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A blessed Mother's Day to all. Love your mother always.
Here's an Original Pilipino Music from The Dawn. For every mothers out there.
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