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So, it's my FIRST Mother's Day with Baby-Girl Faith!!!! And, the day had me thinking about my own mom...
I was very lucky growing up having MY mom. Our house always smelled like food cooking; and all my friends knew that there was always room at our table for "one more person." My best memories of my mom are mostly interspersed with memories of great food- the hours spent rolling lumpia and talking, Mom teaching me how to make pansit...
It always bewildered me to go to my friends' houses. I remember one of my friend's mom "saving" the chocolate cake in the fridge for her friends. Not so at our house. Food equaled love, and both came in high supply. Nothing was off limits to us kids.
Mom and food went hand in hand, and both mark the most important days of my life. Mom brought food to feed my husband, and the nurses who cared for me after my sons died. And mom brought soup "to bring your milk in" after I had my daughter.
I didn't grow up hearing stories about Humpty-Dumpty, or hearing lullabies like "Twinkle-twinkle Little Star" from my mom. My mom did not grow up hearing those Western nursery rhymes. My bedtime stories were much more exotic and colorful. I got to hear about "The Legend of the Mango Tree." Mom also sang songs about a little girl who lived in a Nipa (straw) Hut, who was poor, but happy because she had a vegetable garden. We would sing about all the vegetables that girl grew. And my mom was always excited when we came home from preschool and shared the songs we had learned. We learned the Western nursery rhymes together.
I don't think one ever REALLY appreciates their mother until they have children of their own. It makes me so happy to see my mom giving Faith her bath, and talking to her in Tagalog, the way she did for me all those years ago. "Nana" is already teaching Faith how to eat rice... and I know when Faith gets older, she will be rolling lumpia like a pro.
One of our friends commented the other day, "Karen, you are a great mom. You really enjoy your baby."
"Thanks," I replied. "I learned from the best."
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! And Mama, Mahal kita!
I was very lucky growing up having MY mom. Our house always smelled like food cooking; and all my friends knew that there was always room at our table for "one more person." My best memories of my mom are mostly interspersed with memories of great food- the hours spent rolling lumpia and talking, Mom teaching me how to make pansit...
It always bewildered me to go to my friends' houses. I remember one of my friend's mom "saving" the chocolate cake in the fridge for her friends. Not so at our house. Food equaled love, and both came in high supply. Nothing was off limits to us kids.
Mom and food went hand in hand, and both mark the most important days of my life. Mom brought food to feed my husband, and the nurses who cared for me after my sons died. And mom brought soup "to bring your milk in" after I had my daughter.
I didn't grow up hearing stories about Humpty-Dumpty, or hearing lullabies like "Twinkle-twinkle Little Star" from my mom. My mom did not grow up hearing those Western nursery rhymes. My bedtime stories were much more exotic and colorful. I got to hear about "The Legend of the Mango Tree." Mom also sang songs about a little girl who lived in a Nipa (straw) Hut, who was poor, but happy because she had a vegetable garden. We would sing about all the vegetables that girl grew. And my mom was always excited when we came home from preschool and shared the songs we had learned. We learned the Western nursery rhymes together.
I don't think one ever REALLY appreciates their mother until they have children of their own. It makes me so happy to see my mom giving Faith her bath, and talking to her in Tagalog, the way she did for me all those years ago. "Nana" is already teaching Faith how to eat rice... and I know when Faith gets older, she will be rolling lumpia like a pro.
One of our friends commented the other day, "Karen, you are a great mom. You really enjoy your baby."
"Thanks," I replied. "I learned from the best."
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! And Mama, Mahal kita!
8 comments:
What beautiful memories you have with your Mom and how proud she must be of you and the mom you are to Faith. I am glad you have such a great apprection for all she has done & continues to do for you. Ha Ha, it's funny how much a girl takes for granted until she has a child of her own, huh?
Faith is lucky to have those great traditions passed on to her.
Happy Mother's day to you!!
Love Nana & Paw-Paw
You write so eloquently, Karen! (And make me cry...!)
What a wonderful mom you have! Now I want some of her cooking!
How right you are that you don't REALLY appreciate your parents until you are a parent yourself.
Karen,
I could not have said it more eloquently the way you describe mom. I still remember too how mom would always make sure we were fed well. One of my favorite memories was when mom made some food for the poor kids that lived outside the base in the Phillipines. She made Katie and I give them food. We were only 6 and 4 years old, but I knew I was much better off this side of the fence. Mom has always been the most generous person I know, not only giving food, money or time to others, but also giving her heart. I love you too mom!
Though I've never met your Mom the stories you've told me about her paint a wonderful picture. Glad you had a wonderful first Happy Mother's Day. Isn't Faith's B-Day coming home.
Heather
UGH it didn't save the first time! Let me try again:
No Wonder I am mom's favorite, I don't need to bare children to appreciate her fully! HaHa Just Kidding Karen, (from Sean's comment he obviously knows how to swoon! It all makes sense now!)
I am in that stage where "I am becoming my MOTHER!!!" but instead of freaking out I just laugh at how much alike we are. Ever since I was little I have been refered to as "Little Gloria" and it was never my favorite nickname. But the older and wiser I get, the more I realize how big of a compliment it is and how fitting. I mean, really, my mom is amazing so that means I am too...right?!
1. Adventurous: We love to travel the world and dive right into the culutre. Mom however takes it up a notch and learns the language!
2. Loyal: Yes, Yes, we may bitch and complain about our friends and loved ones, but when it comes down to it, if anyone messes with them...those people WILL BE SORRY. We have de Leon blood running through our veins!
3. Stubborn: Yes we are right 99% of the time but when we are wrong (oh such the rare occasion!), we do own up to it.
4. Hot!: I have her face and my mom was a beauty queen in her day.
5. Fashionistas: Mom was quite the diva from what I can tell in pictures. I just wish she saved everything for me to wear!
6. Unconditional Love for RICE: Enough said
7. Throwing Dinner Parties and Entertaining: No one knows how to party like us!
8. Frustration with lack of Domestic Law and Order: AKA-the feeling we have when someone messes with our space and doesn't return it to it's normal state. Yes, guys I get sooo annoyed when something isn't cleaned correctly in my house! And I am now not the pet lover I once thought after dealing with the uprooting of my life due to pets in my house! I now feel mom's pain from our childhood pets! I am grateful she could sacrifice her peace in order to have a pet though. I just hope one day I have that much strength and selflessness to do the same for my kids.
9. Cooking: I share my mom's love for cooking and have been thought of to be a good cook but I know I have miles to go before I can reach the status my mom has.
I love you mom! I am proud to be compared to you it is such a compliment!
-Little Gloria Happy at Last!
Karen you have always had a way with words. I need a tissue box every time I read your stories. ;) I am so happy that you had a wonderful Mother's day with Faith. You truly deserve everything you have and many more blessings!!!! I love you lady, your the best!
Donna
Thank you for the articulate wordings. I thought I'm reading my eulogy. We are lucky indeed to have such great children and their accomplisment. I'm glad you all remember sharing esp food. I often times heard people telling their kids dont touch the cake that is for my guests or for my sisters or I will cook steaks for my guests. If I can fed my relatives or guests the more for my kids and to h--the guests. ( kids will remember that) You are both good parents, I observed you and Jason dont says low class words, like Shot up and and will kick your butt
that is not good for Faith to hear that. THANKS AGAIN FOR THE MOTHER'S DAY TRIBUTE ITS WAS IMPRESSIVE,AND MEANINFUL ESP ON MOTHERS DAY.--GRANDMA GAVIN
Don't worry, Mom- I REALLY watch my language around Faith... and you're right, "shut up" is so vulgar. And I don't mind hearing Faith making noise...
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