A Mother's Love

I've been suffering from dysmenorrhea and migraine since Sunday. Yesterday, I had the worst attack. When Papa and Mama got back from the Dr. Mariano's clinic (for Papa's check-up), she handed me the referral letter to Dr. Rey's friend OB, Dra. Mirlu. I don't really like going to clinics/hospitals because I know I'll be spending a lot (remember I'm doing the 52 Week Challenge) but at that time, I badly needed some help (and relief). 

Mama was with me during the consultation but she had to go home by lunch time to attend to Papa's needs (she had to make sure Papa gets to drink his medicines). I was left alone at Salve Regina trying to calm my worries by watching Eat Bulaga. While waiting for my name to be called in the Radiology Department, I noticed that most of the patients coming in were children accompanied by their mothers and grandmothers. I only saw one father accompanying his teenage son. 

Finally, my name was called. I was examined, got the result, went back to Dra. Mirlu, paid my bill and headed home. I sent a text message to Mama telling her I'm already on the jeepney to Vista Verde. She asked me if I can manage to go home alone or if I needed to be fetched. I told her I'll be fine. When I arrived, Mama prepared some snacks. She knew I was already hungry even if I had lunch at the hospital. I told her the result and shared my sentiments about how hard it is being a woman especially in my case. I was also honest enough to tell her how afraid I am to get pregnant and give birth someday considering the monthly pain that I experience (which only gets worse every single month). Ito pa nga lang, halos mamatay na ako sa sakit, paano pa kaya kung magiging ina na rin ako? 

Instead of telling me how difficult it was for her to carry me in her womb for seven months (I was premature), she lovingly told me, "Anak, mas masakit pa yang nararanasan mo ngayon kaysa pagbubuntis." And she began telling me all the beautiful things about pregnancy, giving birth, and motherhood that made me appreciate rather than fear it. She comforted me by giving me the assurance that in time, in God's time, when I already fulfill my vocation to be a wife and a mother, I will no longer suffer from all these pains that I had to endure every month while I'm still single. And in the end, every pain will be all worth it. "Tama si Dra., maaayos yan lahat pag nag-asawa at nanganak ka na... Tingnan mo ako... Si Tita Vangie mo... Si Tita Regie mo..." 

Yes, they are all proof that being a wife and a mother changes a woman for the better - from sickly to healthy, weak to strong, loving to selflessly loving, nourishing to giving her all for her family. 

I've been hearing those things from my previous doctors, and from Dra. Mirlu herself. But nothing is more assuring than hearing them from Mama. :) 

Such is a mother's love. ♥

Such love I received (and continue to receive) from Mama. Such love I will give to the children that God will entrust me with someday. :)

Mama, you know I love you. But I know you love me more. ♥

A Mother's love is something

that no one can explain,

It is made of deep devotion

and of sacrifice and pain,

It is endless and unselfish

and enduring come what may

For nothing can destroy it

or take that love away . . .

It is patient and forgiving

when all others are forsaking,

And it never fails or falters

even though the heart is breaking . . .

It believes beyond believing

when the world around condemns,

And it glows with all the beauty

of the rarest, brightest gems . . .

It is far beyond defining,

it defies all explanation,

And it still remains a secret

like the mysteries of creation . . .

A many splendoured miracle

man cannot understand

And another wondrous evidence

of God's tender guiding hand.

- Helen Steiner Rice

Mary, Mother of God, and our Mother, pray for us women and all the mothers in the world that we may follow your example of obedience, humility, and total surrender to the will of God, and that we may take care of the children whom God has entrusted/will entrust to us. :)