Mommy makes our world go round
BEING a mother entails a lot of sacrifices; choosing to be an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) is one of them, which is probably one of the hardest choices for a mother to make. Think of the loneliness a mother who works abroad has to endure, missing out on her children’s milestones in life, not to mention the worried mind she has to keep at bay when she learns her kids are sick, not being there to personally take care of them. These mothers made a sacrifice to be away from their kids, to be employed in different parts of the world so that they can provide a better world for their children.
Some of us might not have mom to celebrate with this Mother’s Day because she is working overseas; and as we count the months she is away from us, longing for her return, let us make every month’s occasion a moment of gratitude for her.
January - You make it a point that we should have a feast during New Year’s Eve even though you are not here to share the feast with us. Thank you Mama for making our New Year’s welcome always a festive one.
February - Thanks Mom for sending something extra for us so we can buy nice clothes for our Valentine’s Day date; but the date we are really anticipating is the day of your arrival because it is you who is always in our hearts.
March - Thank you Mommy for the sacrifice you made, working abroad just so we can finish our schooling. Your sacrifice has finally paid off; it’s Graduation Day! For all your hard work, you deserve an award.
April - In observance of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), you should be given a medal of valor for braving the sadness of being away from us just so you can provide for us, thank you Inay.
May - Fiesta is the time when people put out a feast as a sign of thanksgiving. There are plenty of things to be thankful for, but we thank God most especially for you Nanay; you who gave up so much in order to give us so much.
June - As we endure another long school year, we thank you Ma for enduring the long time you have to wait before you can be with us again just to make sure that we can continue with our education.
July - This Nutrition Month, we thank you Nanang for putting food on the table; making sure that we eat three square meals a day even if it means you have to dine on a tight budget so that you can send more for us.
August - In celebration of National Heroes Day, we thank you Nay. You are a hero for us and this nation because you ensure that we and the country’s financial economy remain secure, being one of the millions of OFWs who send remittances.
September - As we celebrate Grandparent’s Day, keep in mind Inang that like Lolo and Lola who never get tired of caring for us, we will never get tired of thanking you as you also never get tired of providing for us.
October - A semester break for us after months of studying, but for you, there are no breaks; you work tirelessly so that all we get to experience is a sem break and not a permanent break from school. Thanks for that Mamang.
November - It’s Halloween, kids are knocking on the door for some trick or treat. But what we are really expecting to someday knock on the door is you Mi; now that would be a treat as we can thank you personally.
December - Thank you Mother; we are glad because the balikbayan box you sent us for Christmas has arrived, and yet we are also sad that you are not here. Christmas without you is like eating the dark chocolates you sent us, it’s bittersweet.
Every month, we can think of an occasion to say thanks to mom who is working abroad. But the best time to thank her is when there is no occasion at all, because every day is a “Mom-mentous” occasion for mom when we tell her our gratitude.