As they say, mothers know best. Fondly called mom, mama, or nanay, a mother knows what is best for her children. Their efforts may not be always appreciated and they are often taken for granted, but a mom will always give everything to her children.
Recently, the “na ano lang” gaffe of a well-known senator received many negative criticisms because of how insensitive it was for all single mothers. Sorry was said right after, yet the joke already made many of us realize how hard it is to become a mom, lest a single mom. Joke or not, motherhood isn’t simply “na ano lang.”
There are many forms of motherhood – household moms, working moms, adoptive moms, single moms, and many others – and each of these is no lesser than the other because all moms are the same. All of them carried a child in their womb for several months, and all of them had to struggle the pain and bear the difficult stages of labor just to bring that little bundle of joy into the world: us.
Mothers are unsung heroes. They live and die without medals and awards despite the fact that what they have given and shared to the entire world is too immense. I can say that for my mom, too – she was, she is, and will always be a hero for me.
My mom was such an exemplary woman. She was selfless and she placed others above herself. She was born to a humble family and she continued to be so despite the material things that had come her way.
She was a woman of love and care. She was a great daughter. She was a doting sister. She was a wonderful friend. She was a forgiving enemy. She was an altruistic wife. But above all, she was the best mom.
Many would say I was raised in a rather “perfect” world by my mom because all of my needs and most of my wants were given without further ado. People think that I am simply this bratty princess who could not live in the real world because of the protectiveness and shelter that both my dad and mom offered me, but I beg to disagree.
Why? Simply because a mother knows best and my mom proved it in countless of ways. She knew that I must learn how to face the real world to surpass the trials that may come my way. She made it a point that I learned the deals of real life amidst the protection. She taught me all of life’s lessons that I needed to know, particularly the importance of what family is. She made sure to nurture and nourish me in a way that I would be able to survive the harshness of the world without giving up. She did all of that because she knew what is best for me.
While many people are celebrating Mother’s Day with their mothers in their arms, my heart is content at knowing that my mom – whom I miss and love so much – is now resting well. It was truly hard to lose a mother like her because you’ll never ever have the chance to have another mom in your life. Hence, a message to all children out there: Never let a day pass without telling your unsung hero, your mother, how much you love and appreciate her; how much all of her teachings made you who you are today; and how much you are thankful for all the unconditional love she has given you because mothers – single or not – are not simply “na ano lang,” rather they are the best “ilaw ng tahanan.”/WDJ