I wasn't born with a silver spoon. Heck, not even silver nor gold plated. Hehe. I never had big, cool toys during my formative years. I remembered asking my mom for a
V-tech when I was 8 years old because one of my classmates had one but because we can't afford it, my mom told me to make do with what I had. And what I had back then were those paper cut-out dolls that you can buy at the neighborhood sari-sari store.
My mom taught me early on in life that there are other things that are far more important than high-tech toys and Barbie dolls. I remembered when I was 18 years old, I had to cancel my debut. We helped a relative get through an operation and the money that we should've spent on the party, we gave to them instead. She didnt leave me high and dry, of course we still had a mini-celebration to welcome me into adulthood. We had a fancy candlelit dinner, just the three of us - my mom, my dad and me. I didn't feel bitter because she explained to me that helping someone in need is more important than throwing a lavish party.
My mom has always been the epitome of kindness. She's well loved by many because of that and also because of her jovial spirit and her optimism. I look up to her because no matter how little we have, she still finds ways to help others when she can. Her motto "
Mabuti nang tayo ang hinihingian kesa tayo ang nanghihingi." (TRANSLATE: 'Tis better to give than to ask. Hehe!
'Langyang translation yan!)
Last year, instead of having a party, I spent my birthday in Golden Acres - a facility for the aged and the elderly. I brought food for the oldies and spent time talking to them and listening to their stories. They told me stories of how their sons and daughters left them there. That some promised to visit, but they never did.
We arent rich but God makes up for it in more ways than one and my birthday was the perfect time to pay it forward. It was a very humbling experience for me and I was lucky to have shared that afternoon with my mom and dad.
A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie. ~Tenneva Jordan
Thank you for instilling in me the values that I have today, Mom. Thank you for being a rolemodel of kindness, perseverance and optimism. You are the greatest. I love you and Happy Birthday!
The Black Sheep,
-=K=-
P.S. Don't worry, I will take care of you and dad even until they day that you become senile. I was only kidding when I told you I'd leave you in Golden Acres once you start showing signs of dementia! Hehehe!
