There's no love like a mother's love. At its finest, the love a mother possesses for her child embodies all the beautiful virtues that we as human beings, hold sacred patience, kindness, forgiveness, compassion. And perhaps the greatest one of all, sacrifice. This aspect of a mother's love, the willingness to surrender her time, her dreams, her life for the sake of her children, is what makes her love so phenomenal.
The women who toiled long hours to support their families, who cheered on her daughter at every swimming competition, who spent their very last peso to send a daughter on a life-changing experience or to buy us a special dress. The mothers who, above all, never gave up on their children. All I am, I owe to my Nanay. She's the best mother in the world. Her spirituality, wisdom and strength is what guided me through my childhood. She never gave up on us. She gave all of herself and all of her time to raise us properly. I realize that who I am today is due to the work of my parents. The greatest sacrifice my Nanay made for us.
So in honor of Mother's Day, I would like to share my very personal stories of the phenomenal women in their lives and the countless sacrifices which they made.
All my life, I've had a very close relationship with my Nanay(I used to call my mom). When I was a child and an adolescent, I thought of her as my best friend. I talked to her about everything. When she had her first stroke(caused by hypertension and diabetes) I thought she was going to die and that if she did, I would die too. It's just as well that after a 13days in hospital where we rushed her, her attending physician told us that she will survive and just take her to rehabilitation for the therapy for her to walk and move the half part of her left body. The painful part of her recovery was she had her second stroke and caused her to paralyzed and get into a deep comatose,after 9days of medication in a hospital she died...She died Jan 30 2004.The memorial service for my Nanay was Feb 07 2004. It was a beautiful service and about 200 people were there from all parts of her life. Where I knew she has lots of friends who dearly love her.
As an adult of course my relationship with her matured, Nevertheless, I feel like I'm part of her and she's part of me, and so it's so painful to think that I don't have my Nanay anymore. Recent year, since I've become a parent I've been understanding her better from that perspective. I hear her voice when I talk to my daughter , niece and nephews and react to them. I hope that I can be as good a mother as she was and have the kind of relationship with my girl that I had with her. I also believe that her death happened the way she wanted it to-quickly without a long period of being incapacitated and unable to communicate. I'm thankful for that.
Why do some people go through serious illness, recover or go into remission and do well while others do not do well and die.... I think, in difficult times of illness and suffering, the thought that can help us is that we cannot experience anything that God had not gone through already and we cannot go through anything that he is not experiencing and suffering with us. The other aspect of going through a serious illness is the fact that there are so many people that help and support us. I think that one large part of how God shows himself in the world is through other people.
It amazes me how many people showed empathy, kindness, and help my Nanay and my family during the last 3years. Another great source of strength during my Mom's illness was the knowledge that she was on the prayer list of many people. I do believe in the power of prayer.
My Nanay was an incredibly strong, capable, intelligent, caring woman of faith who didn't think she was anything special. But you were, Nay. You were extraordinary, and I will miss you terribly.
I want to share this song that really touches my heart as I listen to this. This song always reminds me of my Nanay...
"To Where You Are"
by: Josh Groban
Who can say for certain
Maybe you're still here
I feel you all around me
Your memory's so clear
Deep in the stillness
I can hear you speak
You're still an inspiration
Can it be (?)
That you are mine
Forever love
And you are watching over me from up above
Fly me up to where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile to know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
Are you gently sleeping
Here inside my dream
And isn't faith believing
All power can't be seen
As my heart holds you
Just one beat away
I cherish all you gave me everyday
'Cause you are my
Forever love
Watching me from up above
And I believe
That angels breathe
And that love will live on and never leave
Fly me up
To where you are
Beyond the distant star
I wish upon tonight
To see you smile
If only for awhile
To know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
I know you're there
A breath away's not far
To where you are
pls click the mtv below to share with you the song...thanks...






1 comment:
What a touching tribute to your late mother, Elen! I'd look up that Josh Groban song myself..the lyrics are so beautiful! The only song I know of him is "You Raise Me Up." Anyway, kudos to your site. It's simple, yet beautiful. You must be a very good daughter. Your mother must be so proud of you!
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