May the trip that was be the trip that will be

I am a public school teacher and a mother of two beautiful daughters, eight years old and one year old, respectively. With my work, the time I spend with them is very limited. This is when I tutor my firstborn in her school assignments and play with my toddler as the former does the task I give her.  This does not even take two hours during weekdays. Thus I always look forward to weekends. Sadly, I even have to do some unfinished school work on weekends.

But I need to get a living for a life I wish my children to have. As a usual routine, I go to school as early as most public school teachers do. With utmost commitment to lead by example among the learners, I make sure to attend and participate the daily flag raising ceremony. With this I need to be in school not later than 7:15 in the morning.

Residing far from my school, I have to apply “Wonder Woman” moves. I have to rise up early, prepare breakfast and my grader for school, while caring for my toddler who loves to tag along with me.  A scene I will always remember is when I carry her in my left arm while cooking breakfast. Thank heavens anyway for giving me a partner who is consistently committed to working with me with these daily endeavors.

The routine is challenging but I feel a different beating of my heart every time I kiss goodbye to my youngest who is entrusted to her Nanay (stayout nanny) while I am away at work.

I have never been this sentimental before. But my children have taught me a lot—how brief is my time with them as a mother and a teacher. Every time I face my students, I see in them the eyes of my own children. This haunts me and reminds me of every mother’s wish—to see their children in good hands to those whom they are entrusted to.

Having been a teacher for the past 14 years, I can say that nothing compares to the feeling of being remembered by my non-biological children as if I am their true mom. I feel like I am in seventh heaven when I receive messages from across the globe, surprised by bouquets of flowers delivered door-to-door and laughing over meaningful emojis, reading cards and e-cards.  These are some of my wonderful experiences as a teacher. Above all these, seeing my former students reach the peak of their success and becoming greater and higher than I am gives an extra dose of satisfaction.

As the world gives tribute to all the teachers on World Teachers' Day, I cannot help but look back and celebrate with the two most influential mentors who made my life and the lives of my three siblings even more colorful and meaningful – my parents. When I see myself too tired balancing between family and work, I recall my parents’ hardwork. When I am about to lose control, I remember their patience to have the four of us finish a degree. When I am beset by tantrums and mischiefs of my children after a tiring day, I look back how my parents keep us from harm. Whenever I face uncertainties, I simply remind myself how my parents helped making my dreams a reality.

With all the twists and turns in the life of a working mother like me, I appreciate and feel truly blessed how God arranges the trips that I have taken. When my tears begin to fall and my body becomes weak, I look back at the past and silently thank the people behind this journey. I could not have travelled this far if not for my greatest teachers—Papa Vidal and Mama Lily.

Thank you Papa and Mama.

Rhea Barrita Caraballe