More than any shining gem and wide acres of lands , the much coveted heirloom which I thought I would receive till later has found its way into my hands. Just when I thought it would be passed on to me when my son is of age just like Mirzi did when Kelly turned two, my mother must have thought it’s time.
A belated happy mother’s day gift from the woman who exemplifies unconditional love.A wise man once said “A person’s life is measured through what he is, what he has been and what he has become.
“But an even wiser man said ” Look back at where you came for it has brought you to where you are now.”Reading my life through my mom’s journal has made me realize that “my life” even if I do call it mine was not made by me alone.
Life’s journey had my mother and my father by my side .They did a lot to bring me where I am now.. The first few pages of what she has written has already left me misty eyed.
“ My first-born, my first inspiration and my first line of defense”, so she writes about me as I go on , I am marvelled with the encompassing love she has afforded us.
And as for the sacrifices rendered? She truly has given up a lot. Despite some instances of me falling off the crib just like my son did, she made motherhood sound like some sort of revelry.
Or that one of her children was stubborn and refused to be taught. Guess how well she turned out now? This once little tot has finished college at the state university, cum laude. My sister Mirzi of course. She presently too has a first honor “be-medalled” kid to boot.Or that little tyke who did nothing but draw on walls on tables and on chairs, my now Civil Engineer brother Vito. Or my sister Pia who as a little girl, used to shy away from people is now a registered nurse and hosted a lot of college events in her university. Or that little kid named Steffi nicknamed “washy wa” who did nothing but put different things inside her bag, some trash and stray cat included. Or those four toddler boys playing indian-indian namely Marco, Vito, Gierek and Geo who lit a match and set the curtain on fire.
I’m glad to say they now are presently doing well , none became a fireman though.My mother sincerely enjoyed the challenges, turned them into ladder- rungs till she manage to be on top of things.
With all the eight of us, she had a few trials and major errors till she came with what could really work.She did not come empty-handed though and so I was not what one could call “ the proverbial guinea pig”.
She came equipped with mental notes from her mother, my lola from Tupsan, Camiguin, Mrs. Rosario “Sarah” Paderanga-Espinosa of the renowned Paderanga clan of Lawyers, Doctors , Teachers and U.P grads.
The “reading clan” they call us then.I recognized that she was not teaching us for she made it so much fun and it did not look like a routine.
in fact she was following a certain scheme which she sincerely numbered 1-100. But of course this could not apply to other kids for their experiences are different with ours & that is why she did not carelessly gave out pieces of advice for fear that it might not work with them.
This too is what she warned Mirzi and I that is “ not to meddle with other people’s affairs where child rearing is concerned for in the end you will receive the blame” .Let other parents be parents to their children.
They will discover the techniques themselves.Do give them the chance to grow with their kids.
“There is no general rule” she says, “as long as you love your child”. She just encourages other mothers to go and “discover your child’s needs and eventually , you will find out what she or he wants”
Her teaching style was customized according to one’s behaviour. She conceived an approach that was uniquely ours. Learning was so much fun in the house.And I see now with what she meant that with every child she has applied different teaching styles
But I am fortunate then for I have my mom who has handed me out some homemade recipes on rearing a bright and funny kid. She has guided me ever since I was pregnant.
Now I seemed to be in synch with motherhood most especially with teaching my child. So I am on my way after all, in raising a kid who would hopefully be as exceptionally bright, funny and loving like my niece Kelly.
My mother’s mother has taught her well, my mom has taught us well and I hope my son would say the same when he is all grown up.
May I have what it takes to be just like my mom.May I have children as grateful as I am.
May I hear them say I am the greatest in the world just as I am telling my mom now.
