Remembering My Mother (Post Mother's Day)

I just recently learned that Mother's Day are not celebrated the same day worldwide. Here in the Philippines May 11 of this year was celebrated as a Mother's Day, and as usual I received a lot of greetings. Of course I made sure that all the mothers I know within my reach were sent greetings, too. I'm thankful that somehow within the three hundred sixty-five days in a year, one is set to honor mothers.

How touching.

I have been a mother for almost ten years now and everyday since my first child was born, I never ceased to learn new things. And now that I have two offsprings, I thought at first that I'll be doing the same thing as with my first. I was wrong. Although I already knew the basics like changing nappies, waking up in the wee hours of the morning, cleaning bottles, breastfeeding, etc., learning new things is always there.

But through these challenging parenting lessons I have always longed for one thing, one that will not and cannot be done. I have longed for my mother to see me through all these.

This can't be.

My mom passed away when I was only 18 years old. Colon cancer. Sad. Painful. More than that, depressing. My mom was my best friend, my companion, my uplifter, my everything. If I have to write about my mom, I'll run out of words.

I love my mom so much. We were buddies. I was her "right-hand" while my father was an overseas worker then. Even when she was struck with the disease, she never stopped being a true mother. Until she could not walk, until she could not feel anything from her chest down to her toes, she never failed to touch my soul, to teach me life's lessons, to be a beacon. She still was able to be a bridge when I needed to get across at something.

My mother. I miss her. I always miss her.

Now that I've become a mother, I have always tried to imitate her ways, her passion, yet I know I cannot be like her.

She will always be unique.

She will always be the best.

She will always be.

After all she is my mother.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I've come across with this simple yet very beautiful poem. I'd like to share this here because I find it so touching and tender to my soul.

Your mother is always with you...

She's the whisper of the leaves
as you walk down the street.

She's the smell of bleach in
your freshly laundered socks.

She's the cool hand on your
brow when you're not well.

Your mother lives inside
your laughter. She's crystallized
in every tear drop...

She's the place you came from,
your first home.. She's the map you
follow with every step that you take.

She's your first love and your first heart
break....and nothing on earth can separate you.

Not time, Not space...
Not even death....
will ever separate you
from your mother....

You carry her inside of you....

>Anon.