‘She’s always present’
I came home one night to my bed bare of bedsheets. My mom had put them in the laundry even though it had only been a week since I last changed them. She didn’t let me put fresh sheets on; instead, she asked me to sleep beside her every night, since my siblings were out of town on vacation.
For a week, it was just the two of us, and during that week, I realized a lot of things about my mother that I didn’t get the chance to observe before. The most significant is that my mother is very clingy.
Now, this isn’t news. In fact, she’s blatantly shown us this every day since the moment my siblings and I were born. However, what struck me was the stark difference in the love language between Mama and Papa.
My Papa was more reserved in showing his love to us. He showed it through teaching us a thing or two about navigating through life, or making jokes here and there to make us laugh. He seldom showed us love through hugs or words. Instead, he makes us feel loved.
My Mama, on the other hand, does both. She would always be jolly and smiling and clinging to us like an overjoyed koala. Hugs and words of affirmation are her thing. She’s never the kind to shy away from affection, even for my younger brother. But what makes her love more special is that she’s not all empty words and promises; she makes sure we really feel the love.
My mother is a busy woman. She’s a corporate girly who works day and night. Despite this, we never once felt neglected or deprived of quality time. She tries her best to cook for us even though she thinks she’s not the best at it (and yet her meals are good). She spends every weekend with her kids, watching movies, going to church, or eating out.
She often surprises us with trips to different cities and countries by saying, “Travel lang nang travel. ‘Di mo na ‘yan ma-e-enjoy ‘pag matanda ka na.”
But if there’s anything that strikes me the most, it’s her dedication. Mama is now a single mother with four kids. Others would deem this too much of a responsibility—working everyday with a bunch of kids on your plate—it’s just too much work, they’ll think. But my mama knows how to make it work.
Four kids in different schools, and yet, she’s managed to never miss a single school event—whether card-claiming, family day, or recognition day. She makes sure she’s always present with hands ready to clap and a mouth ready to cheer.
Not once did I ever feel unloved and uncared for, not once did I ever have to be the kid whose mother was always absent. To have a mother who strives to put food on our table, spoil us with things we don’t need but want, and to fill the void of not having a father beside you is the greatest gift the world can ever give a child.
I will forever be more than grateful for you, Ma—for showing me what love can be and should be. I know I am not the kind of daughter that always says “I love you” or openly shows how much I care, but I want you to know that in every hollow and every corner of my whole being, my heart bleeds to love you wholly.
I love you, Mama. Happy mother’s day!
Ma. Maxine Ysabel G. Magno is a senior high school student at the University of Santo Tomas. She is one of the four kids of Suzette Gochangco-Magno and Aaron Magno. She aspires to be a criminal lawyer someday, fulfilling the dreams of both her parents for her.
