A Mother Too

Both arms spread as pillow, she sings the Hail Mary with them in bed, wakes up when Angela or John need to pee, or asks for a glass of water at night. She bathed them when they were smaller, and still dresses them every now and then, rushes the two to a doctor when they are sick, and checks on the nanny for their regular take when she is at work.

She legally adopted Angela at almost 4, and John at two years old. The girl is now six, and the boy, four years old.

A differently-abled child specialist, she does not spank her kids. “You are not okay right now, so you need quiet time. When you’re ready, we can talk then.” Surprisingly, the two kids behave to avoid the quiet time. She seldom raises her voice to her kids, but often brings them to sobbing with a soft reprimand. After each make-up session, Angela and John end up love-hugged and kiss-fed.

This single mom sets regular special dates with her kids according to their preferences. Angela one day at the mall, and another day with John in the circus. They go sand-playing which the two kids love, or go on play dates with other kids within the same floor of the apartment where they live. Friday movie nights with popcorn and roasted cardaba banana right in their own living room are treats which even the Lola and nanny enjoy!

Sunday mass is a must.

Their family relationship is somewhat a balance of parent-child-friend kind, with much laughter in between.

She is not perfect but I, with my carrot-stick (more of stick) approach, have much to learn from this mom.

I should ask her now, after all, she is my daughter. (Bella A. Sarenas)