Always there for her children
Online editor Sasha Lim Uy Mariposa for mom Susan Lim Uy, mommy and dog owner
My parents had five kids in 10 years. My mom is a licensed pharmacist, but she turned housewife -- you know, actually one of those wives who are technically housewives but they run the business -- when we were born while my dad was an engineer who owned his own construction company.
During Christmas season 1993, my dad was in Manila on business. His flight was canceled because of a storm, but being Christmas, he found a way to get home--via a C130 military plane that was delivering relief goods to Bicol. Unfortunately, the plane crashed. We couldn't even find his whole body. At the time, my eldest brother was 10, I was the youngest, and I was 3.
Mymomquickly sprang into action. With the support of the rest of our family, she was able to step into my father's shoes right away. She didn't waste any time grieving and moping, she knew she needed to get to work because she had five little chil- dren to feed. She ran my father's business, got into a few of her own, ran“rakets.” We all went to good schools, thanks to her ingenuity.
She was so busy, but she still managed to be a mother. After work, she picked us up and after dinner she would gather all five of us around the dining table to tutor us for our lessons. She attended everything. We were all incredibly active with our extracurriculars and she went to every recital, every performance, got a copy of the school newspaper.
I remember one time, we had a performance for cheerleading, I think. She fell down the stairs and hit her head on a jar. She needed stitches and she went to the hospital but she still rushed to watch us. She's that kind of mother.
She was widowed at 32, but she didn't remarry because she married us instead. Now she's so busy spoiling her apos -- I was so stressed with my first born that she literally saved me from insanity.
Mommy, we don't always show you how much we appreciate you, but we really do. You're always saying that your voice is lost in our family because ours are too loud, but that's all on you. Thank you for raising us to be strong and bold and determined people. I'm sure you didn't think that would bite you back in the future. It's your time now. We will take care of you (and your new babies – your apos and your dogs). We all love you so much and we will try to give you the best the way you always gave the best for us.