10.14.08

2nd Letter to Mama

Posted in For Mama at 5:29 pm by khessa

Dear Mama,

Today Papa told me on our way to work that it is your wedding anniversary. I asked him if it wasn’t supposed to be November 13 as what the pictures showed but he said that you first got civilly married a month before the church wedding. And memory lane somewhat like transported me to that said time….

You must have been quite scared when you and Papa decided to go to Lanao that day to take the plunge, knowing how strict Nanay and Tatay (that’s how we call our grandparents) were. But you were always that strong for a woman when it comes to your convictions, even if to many you looked so fragile. You possessed such an immense love for Papa that even when time came that you had to choose between him and the comforts of life, you still chose him. I didn’t understand that before but now, I cannot appreciate you more for all the things you did for us. Even in the simplest things now Mama, like the birthday cards you arduously and lovingly made for me, I could see your great love. I wish I can repay you, Mama, for all the love you showered us. But I don’t think even a lifetime of doing so would not suffice. Even so, I still wish that up there, you can still discern how much loved you are by us.

I ended my early talk with Papa by telling him that he should visit you and maybe bring you flowers and he did! Papa loves you as much and in fact, he says daily rosary for you. This picture was taken when we went to visit you one early Saturday morning. Papa was offering his daily rosary here while I enjoyed my walk around the park.

10.12.08

1st Letter to Mama

Posted in Uncategorized at 5:28 pm by khessa

Mama,

I dreamed about you last night. If my memory serves me right, it had been my 2nd dream about you since you went away. You very well hid yourself from us since that fateful night, which somehow gave us comfort because it made us think that you were already at peace and quite ready to go. But we so miss you, mama! And I cannot be happier every time I can dream about you.

This second dream is, I guess, more vivid than the first. Pa, Brando and I somewhat were visiting you at your workplace, but it wasn’t in Hagonoy but in Cagayan. You looked happy at seeing us but what really struck me in that dream was your great fashion sense. When I woke up, I said to myself that indeed, you were more fashionable than I am. I am using the bags you left and one time, my bestfriend Glo from work guessed it right that it wasn’t mine coz it was neither black nor plain. Many others liked your bag and it made me quite happy that even if you are no longer around, I still receive praises coz of you.

I cannot be prouder of you, Ma! Even if you’re no longer with us, your teachings and words permeate up to this day like a resounding bell, reminding me to remain upright in the face of greed, corruption, power trip and all other wickedness that this world brings.I salute you for a well-lived life, Ma, and don’t worry, Papa, Brando and I will continue what you’ve begun.

(Mama was my music, writing, and financial adviser. She would always tell me to scrimp & save for the rainy days.)