This is my MIL, Rosalina (sounds like my name). We call her Mama. A native of Marikina, a retired teacher and was a good cook. It is sad that she can’t cook anymore because she is diabetic and bed ridden for months now. How we miss her Everlasting and Pickles. I must admit, even how hard I tried to imitate her cooking of these two Marikina delicacies, the taste of mine can’t even get close to hers. I wonder what her secret is.
She’s not a showy person. You will never know if she likes what you do or not. In fact I don’t remember a dish I cooked that she praised even how delicious it was. She is also known as strict by her siblings, nieces and nephews. But despite all of these, I love her. We don’t see each other that often but when we do, we talk almost about everything. She loves telling stories and though most of them are “tsismis”, I patiently listen. I like it more that way, she does the talking and I do the listening because she’s a negative person. Most of the time she misinterprets what people around her are saying and I am afraid to be misinterpreted.
We are not that close but she is good to me that’s why I cried when Rhonnel told me that she is starting to show signs of senility. Poor Mama, she’s only 64 but can’t enjoy every minute with her grandchildren because of her condition.
This is my mother, Nilda, also my best friend, a daughter of Pasay City. We call her Nanay while her grandchildren call her Mommy Lola. She’s not a professional neither a good cook but for us, she is the best mother. Until now she is the one washing the clothes of my youngest brother who is now 25 years old because for her, he is still her baby. That is how caring she is.
She is the one who inspired me to be a full-time Mom. I want to give RJ all the love and care that our Mom gave us. I still remember the nights when we were sick, she sat up all night, while repeatedly saying, “It’s OK baby, Mommy’s here” and when I have sibling who kept on crying and did not stop, she was worried and walked around the house all night. She taught us how to tie shoelaces before we started school, read bedtime stories over and over again to make us fall asleep, sat down with us and explained all about the things around us, cooked our favorite foods, cut our hair and nails every week, make dozens of cookies for school teas, and make all our costumes for school programs.
Even now that we have our own families, she’s always there for us. She’s just a text away when we need her. When I was rushed to the hospital, she stayed with us for three days, did the laundry, cooked and took care of RJ. She’s helping us raising our children and always reminding us to be strong, brave and honest.
Mama and Nanay, though this tribute is not enough to show how much we thank both of you, you always deserve it. Thank you for always being there no matter what. May our Good Lord bless you with longer lives. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
And to all my friends and Mommies in blogosphere, Happy Mother’s Day! Motherhood may be the most difficult but it is also the most fulfilling profession so cheers to us!
Image from the web
