The Stuff Moms are Made Of

Ave Maria:-)

What's a common denominator we have ...well most folks have? Try this: Thinking you were born in this world and utterly singled out by GOD to have the weirdest mother. So you can change the word : weird, difficult, alien (E.T.) just plain different from the rest. It's either we have the strictest mom... or one who'd let you try bungee at age 5, hahaha ... either way , we probably go thru our questioning period and could have authoured Book of Lamentations in the bible, coz at one point or another we did say plaintively : "Why oh why oh why dear God did she have to be my mom.? I'm writing this becoz I'm actually overflowing with happiness, joy spilling out of my ears..not becoz I don't have my woes and authentic things to lament about

we all have our fair share ... but because when I remember even just one SUPERB Blessing from God ALmighty.. all those horrific things seem to vanish .. because joy and hope and love can outpower sorrow and the blues, anytime BIG TIME. 

I''ll  just focus on Mom to day... hey... moms for that matter.

Nanay Maye : "Josh uwi na tayo...  let's ride with Bro. Art and Sis. Ethel... (15 minutes after and home)  

yikes..!!! I forgot ..we brought a car. We left it at the church..  hahahaha .. will have to credit my son for bearing all these yrs with me.. I don't think I could have survived myself hehe. 

Mama Lydia : you're sick - confined terrible stomatitis , "singaw" blisters in your mouth tongue, throat threatening to go down intestines,iieeiouwweven to just swallow saliva is torture) She visits , I wanna bawl en grande , she cuts it short military style: "Don't cry , you'll only make it harder for yourself. ( well she was right , bawling equals more saliva down the throat, but c'mon Ma,Puede ba drumama nang konti , mother may I? grahbe... but Mother knows best.

- one day cut myself a nasty cut, you wanna play poor me to the hilt, right? (becoz you had to make the grand escape up the guava tree and Nawasa pipes so you  could bike and play outside - at the street ) but No sirree.... no "Oh you poor little baby...", it was  sermon muna (scolding 1st) before wound is attended to.        

- when Holy Monday starts for Holy Week ... you practically have to tiptoe , the piano is locked , there was just this reverence for the Passion of our Lord.. and then learning when to sit, kneel stand even when you're young -- this impacts our young mind because we learn that something very important is going on , the holy mass... or praying the rosary at home... just love the elders back then.

- getting a spanking, minsan luhod (kneel) for misdemeanors... ok,ok sometimes kurot(pinch) , what can I say? may kakulitan ang bata eh .... I think my mother had to give extra dose of discipline coz was an only child -- she knew what a hard time I would have if I grew up thinking I was the sun and all other earthlings were my planets hahaha. When we grow beyond our teen years..and start roaming the world it's baloney thinking we're master of the universe.

Try Lola Feling : my father's mom -- oh... from the stories..her children would also say what a disciplinarian she was.... Spanish style hahaha, with a belt to boot... was she a sadist? ... oh no... she just happened to have 12 very healthy, strong-willed children -- for sure Grandma Filomena made the 12 Little Injuns understand who was the Boss at home, of course Mom and Pop. Lolo Ramon Sr.  was like my father Ramon Jr. they disciplined with words that penetrated your very soul -- the Rambo stuff they left to their wife -- what's with guys anyways? hahahaha.

Mom Rose (mom in law) -- I miss her... she has 6 children ...  being a young Bicolana and very spoiled colegiala , it's a wonder  she survived  in a thoroughly Kapampangan setting -- boy did she learn fast. Mom Rose was a top notch homemaker... she was somthin' else. One minute she's a party girl just bursting with life, next minute, she's Mom Rose moving heaven and earth to help her children and apos.

Whether it's cousins, classmates or friends sharing stories about their moms' eccentricities ..unique ways of rearing their children .. it's heartwarming to realize at the end that for many -- our mom's incredibly unique methods in life were what saved the day for us. I'll know of cousins ..friends who'll bear witness to that .

Perhaps God in His infinite wisdom gave us what we specifically needed. Perhaps and this is something to ponder about ... perhaps God has planted other mother figures in our life, yes we have other "mothers" too -- to experience His healing love from their hands, from their touch. 

'Was blest with Yaya Pilar , my mother's old maid cousin who was also an elementary teacher at San Miguel School Mla. The Lord allowed me to enjoy all the "spoiling" from Tita Pilar ... she was south and Mama was north ... she would take me to all those Nora-Tirso movies... we'd ride the G. Liner bus, eat all the baaad food ... ok maybe  not that bad --- Mama took it upon herself to make me understand what life was all about. It was a cool joint venture between the two ladies  God is a Master Planner.  

Lest you think that Mama was a virtual dragon till the end..she saved the best for the last.. when I reached 13 and grew older..that was when she loosened up --- perhaps she thought , the important lessons were firmly planted in my heart.

In later years, even if I'd stray..and try some outrageously rebel stuff -- the values and lessons she planted were much too deeply imbedded... one could not possibly forget and remain unfaithful thru-out.

In closing must share how she taught me the value of suffering -- suffering not for the sake of misery.. but suffering and offering this so that others can live. Oh dear that's another blog in itself. She was not a saint... did I not say from the start of this piece how weird she was... not a saint then ... but probably a saint now. I love you so much Mama.. thank you for everything, funny how your memory pops out when wonderful things happen ..like this 32nd yr anniversary of our little parish community.. or when I rejoice in surviving life's challenges.. you prayed so hard for us then, you are still at it now,I'll bet. Well , in heaven we will have that long-delayed kiss and hug. 

God bless you my brothers and sisters, don't be so hard on yourself, our Jesus is patient and forgiving.. He knows everything in our life... Maaayos rin ang lahat , you'll see..just have faith in Him............ te mye