Life is here now, and I'm living with the motherhood all women should give to their children without them asking.
Hello! I am Eterna, a beautiful word from the Latin dictionary that translates to "eternal," a mother who has her love's endlessness and is unconditional with the world. As mystical as my name, I have stories and experiences to tell you about life endlessly, like an unending road full of journeys to take and share afterward. In this column account, a story of motherhood, maybe in kids and pets, life and beauty of the world will be shared eternally beyond one can realize. Although life presents predicaments that can interfere with my writing journey, one thing is for sure: I will write regardless of the occurrences in life that can hinder the honing of my pen and sharing it with you. Above everything I could promise, I hope my words can always find you well in this community and life.
But before starting the journey I started a little while ago, let me introduce myself to the community and you, my dear reader, and allow me to kick off this journey through this personal message.
First of all, I appreciate you reading this column until now and making me a good writer for this community, even though I have never been in your life lately. So, thirty-eight years ago, when I was in high school, I discovered how experiences are fleeting in human life, and having the intellect to realize deeply the loss of emotions given by those experiences, I couldn't feel anything but sadness and gratitude at the same time. It was an ironic emotion to feel thankful in the middle of sadness and loss of moment. Then, I later on figured out writing as a keepsake, where everything can be stored and later recalled when in deep nostalgia and reminiscence.
Apparently, writing was a gift to me even before my birth, as I can bring myself back to every moment a child kicks into a mother's womb. Journalism, blogging, and even personal diaries have been no strangers to me since 1992 when I discovered how writing immortalizes the emotions we feel and the person we become beforehand. Since the moment of realization, words have been endlessly crafted in my notebook, began to flourish in different writing competitions in our school division, and gathered moments of victory successively. Well, I didn't appreciate the awards personally, but I was flattered by the time my words reached a mass of humble individuals awaiting my piece. Because way back then, I believed that I would be unforgettable, not by my credentials but through the lingering words they could see even with the passing of time. I can really say it was the start of my writing path, yet I am grateful, unfortunately, for high school was my last academic journey together with literature. But it was never the end of time, for a good life as a mother awaits that time.
Back then, I was inspired by Lualhati Bautista, a Filipino writer who had a famous political fictional novel entitled “Dekada '70, which discusses the life of Amanda Bartolome and her family during martial law in the Philippines. I read her literary works regularly, e.g., Bata, Bata, Pa'no Ka Ginawa?(Child, Child, How Were You Made?), as she tackled a wide variety of topics, mostly centered on social injustice and women's empowerment. L. Bautista also became famous in contemporary literature as she was known for her honest realism, her courageous exploration of women’s issues, and her compelling female protagonists, who confront difficult situations at home and in the workplace with uncommon grit and strength, according to the Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings. It was also during that time that I came across the works of Batangueno writer Antonio Regalo. Sir Antonio, at that time, started his journey with "Ang Sining Pleyhaws" and created influential literary works with psychological interest. He used to have a role there in the “Kataga-Tanghal" theater. Sir Antontio also had a big role in fueling my fire for writing. He had a unique way of making literary and even cinematic allusions in his commentary. His opinion essays also exhibited a unique use of literary elements. I believed that in order to gain his set of skills, one must be an avid reader. They are unquestionably my greatest inspirations and artistic masterworks, having already won numerous awards. He had a unique way of making literary and even cinematic allusions in his commentary. His opinion essays also exhibited a unique use of literary elements. I believed that in order to gain his set of skills, one must be an avid reader. They are unquestionably my greatest inspirations, works of art, and multiple award winners.
Moving on, I am the mother of six intellectual kids, both emotionally and intellectually. Well, it was a product of my parenting to teach my children a personal understanding of themselves and identify parts of them that need improvement and moral change.
Among the kids, there is one diamond in the rough: my daughter. Indeed, she was an odd one out.
Moreover, aside from being a mother, I have been working as a real estate agent since 2018, alongside side hustles in online selling and blogging. I have been used to transacting with different clients from various countries, providing a very detailed process for buying or selling a property, as well as clearly putting the process at the end of the line. Being an intermediary for both parties is not all about document preparation and networking; it is also about the consumption of learned market analysis, effective negotiation, and good client representation to complete the deal. On top of that are the priceless and inalienable qualities needed to provide the client with a good performance, such as a humble personality, audible language spoken, and time management. Ridiculously, I even find myself sometimes eating meals while calling with the client, just to provide for their needs and elevate their stress as well as prevent it. It was the time I found the meaning of life, doing the best I could to provide for the needs of my family and complete my responsibility as a mother, without thinking that it was my first time living too. In fact, I always knew that a mother's love is unconditional love amidst war and challenges, despite the loss of fairness. Everything could be done, as long as life promises me that it's for my children. Just like Kate Winslet said, "Having children just puts the whole world into perspective, and everything else just disappears." The time I saw meaning in life was when I had my children, whom I knew would be spoiled by my love for a lifetime.
It was a light bulb moment behind my pumping heart.
Speaking of character, I am a nurturing and open-minded mother, who knows the needs of my children even in their silence. I remember the time my bisexual son happily cried in front of the family after opening up about his identity and sharing how hard it was to be different from his brothers. He always knew I would accept him, and later on, he expressed himself freely and without anxiety. Also behind my mother's facade is a nostalgic personality, living her life in the present moment. Many times I would find myself crying during property viewing, especially in a farm location where I could remember the old time before becoming a parent and living a simple yet memorable life.
Additionally, I am sophisticated in art and enjoy writing regardless of frequency. Writing is a part of me, and despite being lost, it is waiting until I come back. And, as a person who loves art, I enjoy deep conversation, which I often do with my kids. It is the emotional words that add rhythm and melody to life.
Additionally, cooking and pets are the things that most interest me, aside from writing and blogging. Preparing food for the family is an interest combined with motherhood and love. By the time they put their hands on the table, I am smiling beside them—a beautiful point of view for mothers. And yes, I love dogs. My everyday chores include taking care of our five dogs; four of them were adopted from the street in Cebu City while I was on my way home to the province. Our dogs also opened a new perspective on life and taught me how to love animals regardless of their breed and physical condition. They are subtly a living testament of loyalty and tenderness.
But what interests me the most is spending quality time with my family, usually at the beach every weekend. Every available day, an escapade on different beaches is at the top of the bucket list. There, a family's love and support grow stronger, like a concrete rampant indestructible by life's challenges. I say the seashore is a memorable place created for us, leaving figures of hope and a testament to motherhood together with the waves of good times.
I am not certain how to end this introductory post and if it has already left a good impression on you, my dear reader. But despite being uncertain, may these words of mine be enough to tell you to wait until my next column and discover the wonder of life and wisdom from experiences.
Without a doubt, I know you will wait until the right moment and read the stories I prepared for you.
You only have to wait, with these words left.
I admire you, my reader, for patiently reading until the very last words of my personal note and allowing me to be a creative blogger once more.
Well, to cut the ribbon, the journey starts now!
The future is on the horizon, and here's a promising view.