Mom...

Dear Mom,

 

I wanted to write a poem for you.  I guess I am not that gifted enough to create something like that.  I couldn’t even think of the words that I could use to rhyme with the idea in my mind, so I guess the next best thing to do is write.

 

It was almost 33 years ago, you were in Luneta, it was one of those holidays the people used to celebrate, and while you were strolling I felt the need to go out into this world.  So on that fateful day were Filipinos used to celebrate the imposition of Proclamation No. 1081, I left your womb to enter this world, unknowing what purpose that I would carry out in the future.  You named me Donnie.   Short, suave, smart since I don’t have the patience to write long articles, and it also sounds boyish, which makes up my personality as a whole, attesting to the childish attitude that occur sometimes.

 

I still remember the first writing notebook you bought me.  It brought excitement that I could not contain.  And since I learned fast, I was eager to show my stuff in school.  Although with so many mischievous deeds done inside the classroom, I could have made it to the top of my class.  Although at times you were disappointed I was not the one lording it over the academic rankings posted on the board, I am happy and contented since you never pressured me to be the best.  You have been so understanding in what I have achieved.

 

You have also protected me, especially that dreadful day I was beaten up by that bully teener who was intimidated by my insults while playing with my friends.  I could never forget that day, since I was crying the whole time while my classmates couldn’t do anything, since that idiot was bigger and probably 5 to 7 years senior to us.  You have always assured me that everything is ok no matter what.

 

You accompanied me while enrolling in my new school after graduating from elementary.  You told me I would enjoy, never let me be distracted by what my other cousins have told me about how strict that school was, were no sane relative has ever gone to study.  It has always been you who was beside me during those faltering years of my adolescence, where I have almost succumbed to peer pressures, yet you have always welcomed my friends with open heart, trying to understand that we were all teenagers who are confused during those stages.  You never complained openly even if my friends, including Denver, were always hanging out at the house even if my room had been re-arranged to look like a jungle.

 

My 16^th birthday was the loneliest celebration for me.  You decided to leave and seek greener pastures.  On the exact day I turned 16, you flew to Europe so that we could all have better lives.  It was a sacrifice, since we don’t even know what future you have out there in a cold place without your loved ones making it warm for you.  My life was starting to go downhill from there, not being responsible enough for my actions which got me into a lot of trouble.  And you were very patient and understanding, or perhaps far enough that I can’t be reached and be given that dreaded scolding that I deserved all the while.

Through the years I have always missed you.  And through the years I have always wondered what life would be, without you by my side during my learning days.  Whatever I have learned in life I owe it a lot to you.  You are the best mentor I had.  You are the best I ever had.

 

And with all that I have said earlier, I just wanted to say…

 

THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU!

Donnie