‘You make the impossible possible’
Dear Mom,
Happy Mother’s Day! As you are like a divine feminine, fierce warrior and boss lady rolled into one, I’ll structure my letter in four parts: one of a) adoration; b) contrition; c) thanksgiving; and d) supplication.
Adoration: I think you’re one of the strongest people I know. I don’t know how you manage to juggle it all and still come out of everything with grace. How you take care of Dad, how you take care of your siblings and the Vera Perez family, how you take care of me and my siblings and your grandkids, how you take care of your friends, your staff, your extended family aka all those you’ve adopted as your own throughout the years. We never feel neglected, and that is a skill that I envy and wish to emulate. You are fiercely loyal to the people you love, which is why we are all fiercely loyal to you. When Manay Gina calls, we come running.
Contrition: Oftentimes, I get snappy and irate. My mood swings are weird and unpredictable. I’m not always able to emerge from stress or crisis with grace. So for that, I’m sorry for all those times I’d snap at you when you’re being you. There are times when you call successively and I’d answer once or not at all. There are times when we’d argue on the phone over differences of opinion. And at times, I do get overcome with too much emotion and come off as disrespectful. For that, I’m sorry. Temper is a trap that I shouldn’t fall into willingly.
I’m also sorry for those times I couldn’t help relieve you of your stress and burdens. Caregivers need caring for, too. I’m oftentimes selfish and too self-involved. I deal with my own issues, not to mention the issues of so many other people on a day-to-day basis, especially of those who have put their faith in me. But when it comes to family, I should make more time and be a team player rather than a solo act.
Thanksgiving: As your love language has always been giving gifts, thank you for your generosity. You shower all of us with knickknacks and pasalubong, and food. I may not always use the stuff you give me, but the thought is never lost on me.
Thank you for always being a call away. I seldom come to you anymore with laments about my personal or professional life, but when I do ... well, you know the saying “When it rains ...” You may not always have the reaction I was hoping for, but you always manage to pick up the phone and listen to my monologues. You’re my safety net and safe zone, and for that, I’m always grateful.
Supplication: I pray that you’ll have more strength, energy and vitality to face new challenges that may come your way. The life of an extraordinary woman is never ended, nor is it ever ending. In fact, I think it’s only beginning.
You are 38 years my senior. I am a year younger today at 37 than you were when you had me as your third child. You’ve lived a lot of life prior to that, and even more life in the time that I’ve been under your roof, and even as I moved out. And somehow, I sense you’ll live even more life and continue to make a difference in people’s lives.
You’re one of the few who dream something and actually make it happen. You make the impossible possible. You’re a fighter, a finisher—you finish things and you see them through. And so on top of that, I pray that you’ll continue to have good health, the right gadgets to combat this sweltering heat, and both the determination to succeed.
It’s Mother’s Day, Mom! I hope you’re treating yourself to a day of rest and relaxation—if that’s at all possible. Even superwoman needs her rest.
Love you, Mom, Kuys
Christopher de Venecia, Pangasinan congressman and theater director, is the son of Gina de Venecia.