Calm and gentle. That’s how mothers are perceived by many. My Mom? Negative. She’s a true blue Cavitena so for some, you know already what I mean. If you’re clueless, I’ll write about it next time. But for now, since it’s Mother’s Day, let’s talk more about my Mom.
Staying with her for almost 30 years made me say a gazillion “Yeah right”. Let me give you snippets of what I mean.
Academics
During my grade school days, if I get a score lower than 96%, I will be worried that my Mom will get mad so I always come prepared. When asked, my standard answer was “Si ganto nga 90% lang” in a tone as if I pity those with lower grades. Of course, it never worked.
Church
Attending the Holy Mass every Sunday has been a part of our life. I remember one time I was cramming for school so I said I cannot attend the mass. And in an instant, the house was on fire.
Money
Growing up, my Mom is the treasurer and I always hear her on the side saying we paid for this, and that and the money is gone. But I always believed that we have enough because in times of emergencies and grocery shopping, there she is paying for all the bills. Then will say again:
Next time
I rarely ask for things that I want but when I do, oftentimes I don’t get it as if they’re not really important.
House Chores
One of the things that irritates my Mom is after her, folding the newly washed clothes, I will pull one from the bottom as I want to wear a specific dress and you’ll see what a mess I made. In my mind, why so mad when it will still be ironed afterwards so disorder is fine!
These are just a few instances and If I have more time, I know the list will go on. But here I am in front of our bamboo trees missing my Mom while realizing a lot of things now that I am also a so-called “Mom”.
Discipline
Looking back, now I understand she didn’t teach me to aim 100% in exams. But instead, she taught me how to challenge and push myself to be the best without comparing myself to other people. She taught me discipline, competitiveness and excellence in everything that I do. And now that I have a career of my own, no matter how small a task is, I always give it my best shot.
Faith
Now I understand, she didn’t just teach me to go to church every Sunday. But instead, she helped me build my faith. While I disagree with some of its traditions, I realized it’s not about the institution you’re in. It’s about how your religion, whatever it is, helps you to become a better person. Our routinary Sunday mass equated to constant building of values, faith and stand that we should always be good and beautiful people no matter what the circumstance is.
Saving
Now I understand, she didn’t just say we don’t have money for no reason. But instead, she taught me the importance of saving it for emergencies especially if you already have your own family.
Priorities
Now I understand, she didn’t just give me false hopes by saying “Next time”. But instead, she taught me how to prioritize needs over wants. She taught me the value of hard work and patience to achieve the things that I want.
Responsibility
And lastly, now I understand that it’s not about how hard it is to fold our clothes. Rather, it’s about how hard it is to maintain and manage a household every single day. She taught me that no matter how unruly and brat your kids are, you are still a mother waking up early every freakin’ day to ensure your family is okay.
Indeed, there’s a lot of things I didn’t understand before. Things I shrugged off even though they say, “Maiintindihan mo din pag Nanay ka na.”
And now that it’s Mother’s Day and I have a little time to reflect before I go back to my Mommy duties, all I want to say is Thank you Mommy. Yeah, you’re right.
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