Mama Mia

When my father passed away last December 2010, everyone was worried about my mom. The focus was on her, “Kumusta na (ang) mama mo?” because they know about her medical condition.

To most people, she is a fragile woman, a quiet one. After all, who wouldn’t be tagged as quiet with Papa around doing most of the talking?

Prim and proper, she doesn’t know how to swear. She always reprimands us for talking aloud or for doing unladylike things. “Patricia (yes, si Ate ang laging napapagalitan), yung boses mo.”

It was always Papa who took the credit. “Mana sa iyo ang mga anak mo, Attorney,” referring to our academic achievements. Of course, CPA na, lawyer pa. But to me, Mama is the more intelligent one. Low profile / tahimik lang kasi. Mas mayabang at maingay lang kasi si Papa.  Mama has her share of medals and awards during her school days. After high school at UST, she took up Accountancy at UE (they have the same alma mater) and worked as an accountant in various companies until the early 80s, I think.

From her, I think I got my obsession with organization (be it work-related or personal matters). My appointments / meetings have to be calendared.  Everything has to be written, noted, advised, informed, or announced. I always have to have a journal, a “To Do” list, and a grocery/shopping list. Looking back now, I realized we have the same format of “payables” list every 15th/30th and grocery list (items are according to aisle / category). Beside the phone, there should be a notepad and pens. Documents/files have to be in labeled folders or envelopes, alphabetically arranged, including books (I have to confirm this with her again but I remember her saying she also dreamed of becoming a librarian). My father didn’t need a secretary or EA, my mom’s the best organizer. When you ask her for something, alam niya kung saan nakalagay.

From her too, I got my carry-all addiction. Dapat, Girl Scout, laging handa. One of my favorite moments was when we were on our way to a family outing once. My Ate said, “Sana may asin tayo,” I think we were eating either boiled eggs or Indian mangoes that time. Voila, my mother produced small packages of iodized salt from McDonald’s. See?

In more ways than one, turns out I am like her but physically, we take after Papa. Mama’s fair and beautiful, sayang hindi namin namana hehe

My mom may look frail and delicate, but I also realized after my Papa’s death that she is the strongest and bravest person among us. We didn’t expect that but she truly is. The power and capacity of her heart to accept and bear everything in silence, grace and dignity is amazing and inspiring. And worth emulating.

I have a weird way of showing my love. But I know that she knows that I love her.

Mama, Happy Mothers’ Day!