I believe that if I take care of my children well, now that they are still young, they will want to take care of me when the time comes.
Of course, I must add that because I am a mother, I have learned to appreciate my own mother. Because just as I spend time with my kids today, she too spent time with me when I was a child.
For this week I asked a few good Moms what joys being a mother has given them. Here’s what they said.
Suyene Chi Sia: I am deeply touched when my one-year-old son E responds to my caress. It may be a smile, a sound, a twinkle in his eyes or even a soft touch with his little hands that make me know he feels he is loved so much!
Ayen Laurel, singer: My kids Mariel, Kiko and Angia are very expressive. They always say I love you. They know how and when to cheer me up. My son, when it’s his turn to pray, never forgets to include people who are in need. Every day is special with my kids because they are good children.
Maritel Nievera Shani, president and CEO, Cabalen; co-owner, Mangan, Ebun and Oody's: I am always touched by every little act of thoughtfulness and understanding from my children Ian, Adji and Frances. I have a very busy schedule and it warms my heart when I see that my children are very supportive of me and try to make the most of our bonding time together, whether at home or during out-of-town trips.
I am particularly proud and happy that my son Ian is now a great help in Cabalen as its general manager. He has always been a good and dutiful son even during those times when I was too busy opening new restaurants and couldn't devote enough time to my children.
Agnes Castillo Mantolino, businesswoman: It’s typical for a mother and teenage daughter to have certain misunderstandings. My daughter Karina and I would often argue about certain issues. But at the end she would follow me but I know that our bond is slowly breaking. It came as a surprise to me though when she wrote me a beautiful letter on my birthday in January. She wrote, "Thank you for everything that you have done for me. You have guided me and supported me throughout my formative years. Everything that I have accomplished and everything that I am today, I owe it all to you." The words really touched me because I realized that she does appreciate my efforts and since then our bond has gotten stronger. Being a mother isn’t easy but hearing words like these makes motherhood all worthwhile.
Gina Yupangco: Other than school and my work, there is nothing that separates me from my daughters. I think that we are so close that at times I might fail to notice which acts they have done could be the most endearing. Last Saturday though, Arianne told me that I was the cleanest mom and that I always smell good, the best among all mothers. And Martha, yesterday coming from a funeral, told me I was the bestest! I haven’t felt better since.
Marie Guingona-Lamb: Like most mothers, as soon as your own children come into this world your life changes forever. Being a mother, you get your fair share of unforgettable moments. That tight hug, the warm smiles, laughter echoing across the room, a gesture of love and many more precious moments that seem endless. All these remain etched in a mother’s memory. Therefore, it seems almost unjust to single out one because the next moment is just as special as the last. Nonetheless, given this difficult task, I say it would be a toss between the time I had the flu and the time I came home from a long trip. That afternoon a few years back, I was burning with a fever and I decided to confine myself in another room so as not to contaminate my kids. But this voluntary isolation did not work because my children kept coming back, asking me if I was feeling better. My little girl would check on me all the time asking me if I already took my medicine the same way I do when she is sick. My son kept coming in and out of the room to check on me if I was comfortable enough. It felt good that without being told they took it upon themselves to take care of me. It was very touching given their young age. Another gesture that stands out in my mind was when they gave me a very warm welcome party after a two-year trip abroad that I took. They filled the house with flowers and covered my bed with dozens and dozens of red roses. They even made a welcome banner for me.
Gina Lopez, managing director, ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.: When they give me a hug and say I love you, I feel I am in heaven! When I feel their joy in being with me, it completes me. When they are excited to relate to me the things that excite them, I feel honored. I know it is a treasure that I must nurture.
When I see them sleeping in their innocence, I feel so blessed to have them in my life. It is God’s gift of motherhood!
Marilou Arroyo: Around 15 or more years ago in one of Mother Teresa’s trips to the Philippines, I had the opportunity to hear Mass and talk to Mother Teresa in her humble house for the in Tondo.
Her book entitled Something Beautiful From God was given to me by my daughter with this inscribed on it:
August 22, 2002
Dearest Mommy,
To me you have been the most beautiful thing from God. I love you!!! Please take care of yourself. You’re always in my heart.
Love,
Nicole
P.S.
Remember, you took me to meet Mother Teresa?
Nerissa Mathay: Words and actions can never define the relationship I have with my kids Macky, Chris and Cole. The relationship I have with them is determined by day-to-day things we do together. Although these may seem like simple gestures they never fail to make me feel loved, appreciated and, best of all, accepted for the kind of mother and person I choose to be.
Susan Reyes: I was moved when my son Iñigo who is finishing his course on graphic design in SFO, offered to design the logo of Home Inc., a private hospice care my partners and I established last year. This meant that he had to do a lot of research so he could fully understand what the hospice was all about. He did all this so that the logo he would design would be appropriate for the hospice. And best of all, he did all this for love.
Lulu Tan Gan, fashion designer: When my eldest daughter Sam was in high school, I was bothered because she was so studious. I asked her to relax and party, as long as she had no failing marks. I guaranteed her that I would love her just the same. She replied that she wanted me to be proud of her! I found that so touching. I never really pressure my kids to do anything. And I was surprised and proud when she graduated as the high school salutatorian of her school. Just recently she graduated college from Ateneo with honors. As for my younger daughter Jes, I feel her presence and thoughtfulness every day and that’s touching enough. Indeed, I am a lucky mama! I wouldn’t mind having a dozen kids.