My first memory of you was on the day my baby brother was baptized. I was two at that time. I know because I saw the pictures and I could still remember. You left me and Ate at home. I didn’t know why but maybe you felt you couldn’t handle more than one kid at a time. You went away for awhile, but you still came home.

I remember nothing after that incident until I entered school…as a “saling-pusa.” Remember the time when I left the nursery, stomping my feet because my teacher gave me a different and “easier” exam? The teacher followed me all the way to our house. You wondered why I went home early. My teacher explained why. You just laughed. I forgot if you reprimanded me but you were there ready to comfort me.

You believed in me. You knew that I could pass the entrance exam for grade school by defending me to the principal. You were willing to pay P50 for me take the exam. You knew I could do it and I passed. I entered grade school after only a year in kindergarten. You knew I could do it.You were there each year that I’d climb those steps up to the school’s stage. I could never have done it without you. You would wake up every morning…in all my 15 years in school. Daddy would bring me to school while you would bring me and Ate your home-cooked “baon.” My classmates envied me because of you..because of how you’d take care of me and my siblings. I won’t forget the Maggi Savor you’d include in our lunch box. You did that, Mom. You were there everyday…for me, my brother, Ate, and even some of my classmates. You were always there.

When I was doing my thesis, you were there with me and my partner. You prepared food for us and always made us comfortable. I even remember the time I was printing the last pages of my thesis. You were still there ‘til the very end.You went up with me when I finally graduated. I had no award this time but I was just happy to have you there. It was all worth the hardships, the all-nighters, and the expenses. To you and dad, I owe my education…and my life.

It became all too different when dad had a stroke. I knew then how much you were suffering. It was so painful to see you cry. It was the first time something like that happened but you’ve shown much of the grace and strength I wish I had more of.You never described how you felt but I knew you were deeply saddened. Still, your silence encouraged me. Your not speaking a word was, for me, a sign of strength. I saw how much you love Daddy and your children. When you and Dad had to live with Ate, you showed how a wife ought to be. That is, to be by her husband’s side. You knew how to take care of him and your children…and even your nieces and nephews. No wonder they like you a lot.You may not know this but it was difficult for me when you left home for a year to stay at Ate’s place. It was hard for me to become the “mom” of the house, but you were ready to lend a hand and teach me how to run the house. If it weren’t for that time, I wouldn’t be this prepared for married life.

You were the first to know that the man I love proposed to me. I could not remember what you said to me but I knew you were both surprised and happy at the same time. No one could ever compare to the love and support you showed me during the wedding preparations. Your presence, each time, was enough. And during the wedding day, you almost made me cry but I knew you didn’t want to mess up your make up so you just made a joke out of it while I was walking down the aisle. I think you were even more beautiful than the bride that day. I was glad to have you and dad there, waiting for me and ready to give me to my husband.

Now I’m a wife too and, God-willing in the future, a mother as well. But did you know that my greatest fear is not to be able to have a child? I think it’s because I saw how wonderful it is to become a mother…like you were…like you still are. That is why I hope to be like you. Your being a homemaker means a lot to me. I could never exchange you for any highly-paid working mom because your presence in my life is what made me what I am today. We may not be rich in material things but God is so good to bless me with a wonderful family… and with a mom like you.

Someone said there’s no complete state of accomplishment when you’re a homemaker. I beg to differ. My mom was, and still is, a homemaker but look at what she’s accomplished in life. Being a homemaker is more than just doing the laundry or washing dishes. It’s always being there for your husband and your children even when they don’t seem to need you.Bottomline: I want to be the kind of mom and wife Vaisy de Mesa Bunsoy is.