From my Files of Literary Archives

I would like to always remember this poem written by my son when he was 16 years old. As a neophyte writer, I can feel his talent for metaphors.

photo: Mag-ina V ,Ramoncito Doplon, pinoyarte.com

Mother

I see this person in the morning

This is the person that will be unforgotten

If only I can speak right that moment

I’ll say thank you for bringing me to this earth.

I am just a small flower in this world

That needs love and understanding and care

She, my mother, my extra prayer

You’re the one I’ll remember forever.

Now I am here standing next to you

Wishing that I could say a word

Even if time and things had changed

The message of love will never fail.

I’ve been learning lessons in my own parable

I want to say sorry, will I able?

Maybe I can smile or laugh at this moment

But later when you’re gone I’ll be crying.

I will say this word for you to keep

Hope you will always remember this

That you are one of a kind,

And the best person stocked in my mind.

-your son

Questions to Ponder:

1. For you, do you consider your mom as a treasure? An extra prayer?
2. Why do you think the person compared himself to a small flower? How about you, what do you compare yourself with in relation to your mother?
3. What is the message you would like to say to your mom?

An Anecdote of a Woman

A Golden Lesson from an Old Woman

Today, I learned a golden lesson from an old woman.

I am a teacher, a mother and a friend. I am a teacher by profession, I am a mother by choice and I am a friend-counselor to those who seek help. Being occupied with these tasks as teaching, mothering and counseling, I have that bad habit of starting an interesting conversation to those I come across whether by chance or by choice.

I happen to have a neighbor who is an interesting chatter. We talk about almost anything – from the rising price of commodities to spiritual matters. I happen to meet her when I go to her small “Carenderia” – Kainan sa Tierra Royale. While my daughter and I were enjoying the sweet cooling effects of halo-halo (which we shared together-just one order for two of us – hating kapatid) my friend, the owner of the “Carinderia” asked how I was doing, my children and their schooling. Gladly, I replied with my mouth full of “halo-halo” that everything’s okay, that my eldest daughter had just graduated eight days ago and that I still have to struggle some more for the schooling of my four younger children – three are in college and one is still in high school. I admitted too that there are difficult times we have to pass through. She smiled and said, “Yes, it is not always time of plenty, just look at a vessel or a container, sometimes it has to be empty or lacking or scarce so that it can be filled up. When the container is always full, there is no need to fill it up. It does not make a change. It will remain stagnant.” “Yes, Nanay Mildred,” I replied, “Trials, too make us strong, humble and dependent on God. When we are in want, we simply can rely in God, right?”

With the food I ordered for lunch, and the refreshing taste of “halo-halo”, my daughter and I walked the streets of Tierra Grande with head up high. Today I learned a golden lesson from an old woman.