Post Mothers’ Day

Two days ago, the whole world celebrated Mothers' Day - a day to honor and to give thanks to the females who have given birth to us also known as mommy, mama, nanay, and the like. If you checked social media, there were a lot of messages and posts greeting one's mother after another coupled with bouquets of flowers, cakes, chocolates, etc. I continued to swipe up for I wasn't so keen on the online greetings.

Maybe because I was very accustomed to growing up without a mother. When I was in 6th grade, my mom left me to chase the life she once had before marriage. I specifically remember her saying to the family, "I want my life back," one that didn't include me in the picture. Since then I have no clue where she is or if her attempt to be single once again made her feel satisfied.

It wasn't easy growing up without a mom. I found myself most of the time jealous of my classmates in high school who had mothers who brought them to and fetched them from school. While my dad did most of the care, his work often tired him so I had to learn the ropes of being responsible alone. I felt like an adult while going through my teenage years, handling many responsibilities at home and in school. However, I think that I wouldn't be the same person I am today without that painful stage in my life.

But why I am telling my story, two days after Mothers' Day? It is not to gain sympathy but to make the young realize that 1.) You only live once, and 2.) Nothing lasts forever. The short time you have with your mother may be the only time left between the both of you, so savor it while you can. My grandmother who passed recently had a dispute with her only son. That didn't work out well because the time spent treating each other coldly resulted in regret, not being able to bid their last goodbyes.

Sometimes I envision our country being run a mother. I guess the dynamics would have been different. You know mothers always have these instincts that are beneficial to their children. We could have found ourselves in a better place, a tad better than being run by a masculine figure. Yet all these are just mere imaginative situations that we can never have, at least for the next year or so.

When the time comes for me to become a mother, I guess I would put my children first before what I want and need. I guess that's how real motherhood is sans the selfishness and the urge to be another person. One must embrace that another life is part of her and that it will be with her until the end of time. Only God knows when that will happen and no human is ever prepared for it.