One Mother

I was strolling in SM mall when I passed by booths selling different kinds of gifts. There were accessories, wallets, and picture frames. I was plainly curious and was delighted by some of the fancy items. I saw a picture in one of the picture frames; a mother, in her bosom, a sleeping baby. And then I remembered... Next day would be Mothers' Day!

In a daze, I disappeared in my head and was taken back to a place more than four years ago. It was our house during a hot summer day. The heat was scorching and my mother was lying on her bed having a difficulty to move, just trying to lie a little sideways. She asked me to massage her foot. And I did so obediently. I loved to massage her foot and although we were both silent, I was trying to relay a message to her that in my own simple act, I would be able to let her know how much I care for her and love her.

Having a mother is one of the best things that happened in our lives. Of course, no one will ever forget her mother. I admit I have never been a perfect son to my mother. There were rough moments between us when, I know, I had deeply hurt her so much emotionally. There were times we were having a row and I was answering her back. I had also hurt her physically. I didn't fully understand the way she loved me during those times. But now I realized she was a special person who truly cares for me, the only person you can call as your own MOTHER.

My mother was a nagger and I believe all moms are. That was one thing I hated about her. She always noticed every bad thing I do. At the same, she was the type of mother who never failed to express her genuine concerns for me. She was always kissing me in my private parts when I was a child and her touch often irritated me. She was not a “stage mom” type but every time I got an award from school, she was the one who pinned my ribbon or put the medal around my neck. The last time she accompanied me on stage was during my high school graduation. She was always proud of me. I was a conceited kid back then but she taught me the importance of being humble and keeping my feet on the ground. She was right all along.

Bad things always happen everyday. One of those things happened to my mom. She got ill from cystic teratoma, a condition in which a mass/myoma grew somewhere between her urethra and anus resulting to difficulty in urinating and pooping. She was also diagnosed with first stage cervical cancer. I wouldn't forget every semester break of my first two years in college, every month of October, I would spend my vacation in the hospital with her.

As I write this, my heart feels so heavy. I badly miss my mother. I was not able to give her any good gift before and now I know I still cannot give her any present even though I have all the money in the world. You can have only one mother. If you still have her, please don't fail to say “Thank you. I love you. Sorry if I've hurt you.” Do it now before time runs out.