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| mom |
It was back in April of 2005. Excited to finally leave the place I have called home for 24 years, I had my bags packed with my tickets and passport ready. I was ready to discover the rest of the world, or so I thought.
Born and raised in Mountain View College in Bukidnon, Philippines, the life I knew was simple. Everything we needed was abundant and near. We were raised cocooned in the safety of a 1024-hectar school campus which had its own water supply with no water meters, two hydro-electric plants supplying 110 and 220 volts direct to house outlets, our own gardens, we had our own world!
Still, my naïve self was itching to leave. Before I left, mama took my hand and guided me to her kitchen. She gave me a glass of water and asked me to drink. She then pulled out a spoon and a fork from one drawer. She had a number of different sets but she chose a pair from the most plain set. This pair had no designs or any engraved adornments. She laid them on a small towel which was on the counter in front of me.
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| home |
"Look at this pair", she begun... "these are from the cheapest set I have. Thin metal, easily bent,.." she examined them like it was her first time to see them. Then she continued, "they may be cheap, but they are as efficient as the more expensive ones in the drawer."
"People are like that- they may come from different social status, race, creed, or religion, but they are capable of doing tasks all the same."
Mama picked up the fork and handed it to me. "What does it say at the back?"
"Stainless steel Japan", I answered while adjusting my glasses.
"Where you come from is not as important as what you are made of." She continued. "Stainless steel may lose its shine in time but all you have to do is clean them and they will be as good as new."
Mama took out a paper towel, wiped the pair and wrapped them in the hand towel roll. While putting them inside my bag, she gave me another lesson: "You may get tired in life. But remember, all you have to do is take a break, unwind, and then get back to your work refreshed and good as new!".
As she zipped up the pocket of my backpack, her final lesson for the day came slow, loud and clear: "I want you to take this pair with you to remind you that wherever you go in this world, you still belong to one complete set- My set. My family. Remember that my set in this kitchen will not be complete with you gone. With every spoon you feed yourself, remember where you came from, how we brought you up and what you are made of. You may get dirty and stained in the outside but remember that deep within, you are also a child of God and He made you stainless! Just clean up!"
That's deep and that's our mama!
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| my "reality checker" |
This is the actual pair mama gave me. How could I ever forget a lesson like that with every spoonful I eat? It needs cleaning but it sure is stainless!
Mama has rested in the arms of her maker on her sleep on the early hours of February 23, 2021 due to complications of diabetes and renal failure. The memories and lessons she left us are so valuably treasured. We look forward in faith that we will see her again in that one sweet day.
