Musings on Mother's Day
by rudy a. arizala
08 may 2016
I recall vividly today on “Mothers Day” Nanay’s physical feature and spiritual character. She was barely 5 feet tall, a small woman but with a big heart and full of energy. I remember when I was a small boy and not yet of school age, she taught me already how to count, write my name and say my prayers. She was either sewing or mending clothes, if not cooking the latest recipe she read from a cookbook magazine. She had also inborn talents for home decorations and a green thumb for growing flowering plants.
Since I entered the grade school and finished the elementary grades, every Monday morning freshly ironed clothes (white shirt and khaki short pants) are laid neatly on my bed ready for my use in going to school. On top of my clothes is a one-centavo coin, my “baon’” (pocket money) to buy something to eat during “recess”. Upon arriving back home from school, the first thing I would do was look for mother to tell her what transpired during the day at school. She would listen to me patiently and then tell me to change clothes before going to play after school. My brother, sisters and I learned from her respect for elders and teachers as well as friendliness to everybody. However, we should keep away from bad company. She impressed on us honesty, hard work, love and consideration for others. And above all, have faith - not to forget that there is God Who knows, hears and sees and everything we do.
Mother was not only a loving and conscientious wife to father and mother to her children but also actively engaged in charitable works to help others. She was a member of the Red Cross, Puericullture Center, Girl Scouting, Parents-Teachers Association, and Catholic Women’s League of the Philippines. She was also an actve member of the “Samahan sa Puso’ and the ‘Milagrosa’”- a prayer group dedicated to the adoration and prayers to the Virgin Mary. She was also in charge of collecting contributions or raising funds to help newly-ordained priests. No wonder, she was the ‘Nana Coring’ of all the priests in our parish and of almost everybody in our town.
Nanay used to go to church everyday, rain or shine. She had already a seat in church reserved for her which everybody seemed to respect. She only stopped going to church everyday when physically she could not do it anymore due to old age. But she still had a lucid mind, could still recognize her children and grandchildren and had a fantastic memory. She could recall events in the past when she was still a growing up woman, the day she got married, the births of all her children and her happy moments with father.
Mother loves to sing, dance and invite friends to dine with her. One of her happiest moments was celebrating her birthday with members of the family, friends, as well as with her prayer group.
On Mother’s Day, as tribute to all mothers, allow me to share with you my English version of Gabriela Mistral’s poem “Dulzura” (Sweetness) also known as “Madrecita Mia” (My Dearest Mother). Garbriela Mistral was a Chilean poet laureate recipient of Nobel Prize for Literature.
TO MY MOTHER
My dearest mother
Mother so tender
Allow me offer
Sweetest words of praise.
My body is yours
Fashioned by your hands
Allow it to rest
On your loving breast
You’re leaf in the breeze
And I am a mist
In frenzy embrace
Clinging to happiness.
My mother dearest
My whole universe
Allow me express
Utmost blissfulness.