Mama’s Golden Heart
I HELD MY Mama’s hands on her last moments of life. It was a painful struggle for me to have witnessed her unexpected departure. A strong woman of courage, hope, faith, and love slowly weakened, and then in a flash, she left. I held her hands tight and hugged her not wanting to let go. I prayed so hard to God. I asked my Lolo Willy and all the angels and saints to help her. I constantly bugged the doctors and nurses. Me and Papa kept telling her how much we love her, assuring her that she will be alright and we are not going to leave her side. My younger siblings and Aunties talked to her over speaker phone. She was comatose. But tears sprung from her closed eyes.
I never like hospitals but I was able to stand and embraced the situation, braving myself to hold Mama, keeping her warm, watching the monitor for her stats, checking the ventilators, and pumping the ambobag. But her human body was no longer responding to the drugs.
It was difficult to understand. I could not believe. I could not accept. But I know I have to. And I am learning to understand that God took my Mama to end her mundane sufferings, and give her the eternal rest she deserve.
The Best Mother In The World, would be an understatement. She was indescribably a wonderful mother. And no adjective could give justice to how she loved me, Nice, Eddieboy, and Princess. She was always there for us. Took good care of us when we’re sick. She was never a nag on how we led our lives, no high expectations, never a time she embarass us, appreciates our little gifts, no demands. But only loving arms when we are weak.
I grew up seeing her a loving wife to Papa. Where Mama was, there’s Papa. They’re inseparable. I don’t remember them fighting. They argue a lot but always quick to kiss and smile and laugh. They always pray the rosary and hear mass together. For more than 30 years they held hands surpassing whatever obstacle that came their way.
I often heard her stories of her childhood. She was proud to be the daughter of the late Lolo Willy and Lola Equit. Her siblings, my aunties and uncles, were dearest to her. My Auntie Lunz, Uncle Mar, Auntie Telz, Auntie Ciel, Auntie Bing, Auntie Neng, Auntie Victoria, and uncle Yen. She told me a lot of stories to make me understand their misses. Her favorite Aunt Lola Loret, and te Tabz and Uncle Jun, her Uncles and Aunts and cousins were always on her thoughts. She took care of Lola Saling her mother in-law like her own mother. And my Auntie Sheila, to her was like one of her own sisters , and bro-in-laws Uncle Ting and Uncle Dante. She mentioned how grateful she was to Uncles Yoy, Noy and Paul for loving her sisters dearly. She was also a thoughtful aunt, was first to bathe every niece and nephews when they were born.
Family, friends and neighbors tell stories of how Mama helped them in any way. Her wise advices and kind-hearted thoughts will always be remembered. She made all things beautiful by her own hardworking hands. Her creative mind and artistic sense deserved praises, you’ll be awed when you see her hand-made bags. She can turn smelly fish scales into lovely roses. She made pretty dresses for me, and my sisters, and our dolls, too.
I was so blessed that Mama’s last few months was spent with my son. The few months vacation that turn out to be longer. She was never tiring when it comes to taking care of Daniel. She was excited to wait for Daniel at school, and prepared his snack box and uniform. She took care of my son when I was having Asthma attacks. Daniel would pull her arms, and raises his arm so Mama would carry him. She taught me how to be a good wife. Kept reminding me that my husband, Nel, is a great man. And needs to be pampered like how she baby-ed Papa. She prepared hot Milo for Nel when he’s busy working infront of the computer.
Mama never put weight on anything, she just simply lightens everything.
** Mama passed away 20th of September 2008, Makati City.. And we brought her back home., in Davao where she now lies peaceful beside Lolo Willy’s grave..
