Good day, hives! Hope you are all having a great day, March brings with it the celebration of National Women's Month, which is a beautiful occasion I will be sharing with all of you the woman around me. every month is an opportunity to acknowledge the most phenomenal woman I know – my Mom. This isn't just about showering her with generic praise; it's about reflecting on the sacrifices she's made and the woman she's helped me become.
Growing up, I didn't have a mother figure by my side since my aunt adopted me and brought me to Manila where I lived most of my life. My biological mother was in Bacolod. As I mentioned in my first blog, I was separated from my family, but my Mom wasn't just a parent; she was a hero to me. She gave up her motherhood to save me even though it meant being far from them. I know that feeling of being away from your kids because I'm a mother too. I can't sleep if my kids aren't around.
I can't give you too many photos of my mom since I didn't grow up with her. However, in 2020, I was able to go home to Bacolod with my son. Although I felt a bit awkward at that time, I posted one photo on social media on her birthday and Mother's Day. Someday, I hope I can take more photos with her.
You know what? My mom was a very kind person. She took care of children even if they were not related. I was a bit jealous, maybe because she could afford to take care of everyone else's kids, but not her daughter. However, as the days went by, she told me that it was her way of covering up her sadness for me. She would take care of someone else's daughter just to fill her emptiness. Maybe kindness is one of the characteristics that I inherited from my mother.
Now that I'm studying again, she always video calls me, telling me, "You got this! Pick yourself up, honey!" Her belief in me is a constant source of strength, pushing me to reach for the stars, even when I doubt myself.
Today, our bond is stronger than ever. We're more like friends who share inside jokes, celebrate each other's triumphs, and offer a shoulder to cry on during tough times.
My mom's influence extends far beyond the walls of our home. Her dedication to her career, her unwavering spirit in the face of adversity, and her unwavering compassion towards others – are qualities I strive to emulate every day. She's shown me the power of perseverance, the importance of giving back, and the strength in embracing vulnerability.
Writing this post is my small way of expressing the immense gratitude I have for my mother. There are no words that can truly capture her essence, her unwavering love, and the sacrifices she's made to shape who I am today. But Mom, on this National Women's Month and every day, I want you to know – you are my hero. You are the epitome of strength, grace, and unwavering love. You are the reason I stand tall, the wind beneath my wings. Thank you for everything, Mom. Happy National Women's Month!
Aside from my mom, I also wanted to share my second mom with all of you – my husband's mother. She has been there for me when everything fell apart, from my miscarriage to my education failure. She accepted me into their family when my adopted family turned their backs on me.
My husband's mother is a fashionista, a dancer, and a Zumba enthusiast. Aside from that, she is a super grandmother and a super mother-in-law. She will give her grandchildren everything they want, and she will fly from Manila to Cebu just to see them.
And, of course, our super Ninang (godmother), my husband's auntie, who is now standing as my mother. She is the reason why I can continue my studies. She is the one who gives me a hand in taking care of my kids. She treats me like her own daughter.
She always asks me if I have eaten, washes my clothes, and after school, she tells me to go to sleep and take a rest, and she will take care of Chloe. Twenty years of struggling with my adopted family paid off. For ten years together with my husband's family, they always made me feel that I was special, loved, and important to them.
An open letter to these wonderful and amazing women in my life:
Thank you for everything. I treasure all your hardships and advice for me. I may not be the perfect daughter or daughter-in-law, but I promise to strive harder to give you all a comfortable life. And I promise that I will be the one who will give you the remote control if you can't reach it. Again, happy National Women's Month to all women out there 🌻
"Here's to strong women. May we know them? May we be them? May we raise them." - Unknown.