“She may be the face I can’t forget… la la la la, la la la la”. Did you sing it?

How about this?

“She

May be the reason I survive

The why and wherefore I’m alive

The one I’ll care for through the rough in ready years.”

Every song or poem is a reflection of the composers feeling toward something or someone. When we listen to a song, its melody and lyrics resonates in our hearts. And we often associate it with someone.

If you will sing “She” for someone, who will she or he be? Is she/he your special someone, your daughter or son, or your wife or husband? You can name a few. As for me, I can think of only one.

Who else will it be but (She) her. Why? Because She is a lot of many things to me.

She’s a Renaissance woman

She’s good at many things. She’s a teacher when I was young. She taught me Math, Science, Arts and GMRC. And even how to choose fresh meat and veggies. She’s also our family doctor. By just placing her hand in my forehead, she can already give her diagnoses and even prescribes medicine.

She also works as a full-time employee and a part-time cook. After coming from the office, she still cooks for us. And on weekends, she used to be our laundry woman. How come she’s able to do fairly all that? Maybe she is indeed a Renaissance woman 😊

P.S. I actually taught having multiple jobs is not illegal.

She does not judge and always forgives

Generally, people are often judgmental. Is there a person who always understands, doesn’t demand and gives multiple chances? Even Popoy and Basha only had a Second Chance. I myself had failed people and were deprived of the chances I expected.

I have tantrums, I forget, I disobey, I disrespect, and I judged her multiple times. But she did not judge me, not even once. She always understands, doesn’t demand and gives me unlimited chances. How come she’s like that? Maybe she just accepts me for who I am.

She’s still that simple woman

She doesn’t change. Of all the changes happening in this world, from technology, fashion trends and entertainment, she remains “basic”. I gave her a touch screen but I still see her using her old Blackberry phone. I even told her I’ll get it back if she doesn’t use it.

I once told her I’ll gift her an expensive “alta” bag, but she said, “let’s go watch a movie, eat in our favorite Pinoy restaurant and stroll in my favorite surplus shop”. I knew it, still I asked. She’s still that simple province girl, most loyal and punctual employee and old-fashioned but open-minded woman she has ever been.

And why is that? Maybe she is contented for the simple things she has or she’s worried about money? Maybe she’s used to her providing us than us giving something to her? Or maybe she just wants us, our time and nothing more material.

She protects us like she’s Wonder Woman

Do I know a superhero who has kids at the same time? Someone with superpowers who protects the world, its people and her kids at once.

When we were young, she tries hard to keep us from hearing and witnessing “households wars”. When she felt the need for a mediator in a “neighborhood war”, she immediately came to rescue like a peacemaker acting strong in between two fighting men.

And as she feels it’s unsafe outside, she still insists to go to the market instead of me. I asked her why and she said, “you don’t know how to choose fresh veggies and meat”. Really?

What superpower does this woman have, she seems so strong? Sometimes I see her cry but not for long. She walks out of her room as if nothing happened and acts happy and strong.

She used to receive personalized greeting cards

I always give her personalized greeting cards during special occasions every year, but not anymore until… I can’t remember when. Maybe it stopped when I learned to write love letters and slam books. But she never asked for it since then. Maybe she got used to not receiving it from me anymore. Or she’s just silently waiting.

When I started earning, I give her money. I give her gifts like clothes, bags and things I can now afford. Whatever it is, she always smiles and say “Thank you, nak” every time she receives something. When I forget, she does not complain.

Of everything she’s been giving, why haven’t she asked for anything in return. Of the few things I’ve given her, how come her thank yous are even more than mine. Maybe because she used to receive not money or gifts but “thank you” and I love you cards when we were young.

She’s getting old

I see her now more than before. She has more fine lines and not that “tall” anymore. Sometimes she complains about her hips and knees, so she asks me to go to the nearest sari-sari store or to meet her in the along-my-way mall. I guess it’s because she’s getting old and she knows she can’t do it alone. Or she doesn’t want to do it all alone.

But she still a renaissance woman. She prescribes medicines until now and cooks for us even if she’s tired. She doesn’t judge me and accepts me even if I change a lot or don’t change at all. She still prefers surplus than expensive bags and acts strong as if she is wonder woman.

But why she still does these things even we already told her it’s now our time to give back. Maybe I have not yet clearly said that? Or maybe she still longs to receive personalized greeting cards in return. For what it’s worth, I think it’s the time, effort and thought we give in making those cards that she desires.

I noticed I’ve mentioned nothing but good things about her. She’s not perfect. She has tantrums, she shouts but rarely (can’t remember even once), she still scolds me and she now shows if she’s tired. Because she’s not wonder woman. She is more than her. Our mothers are more than superheroes who selflessly fight and live for us. But how about them?

We also don’t have powers, but we can at least be more than who we are now, for them.

To my mom and to all mothers celebrating their special day, let me end this by singing

“Me
I’ll take her laughter and her tears
And make them all my souvenirs
For where she goes I’ve got to be
The meaning of my life is…She…”

P.S. Happy Mother’s Day to all our Mommy, Nanay, Mama, Nay, Ma, Mom, Titas and Lolas 😊