IN THIS millennial age, an 8-5 day job keeps everyone busy. Parents are grasping for breath in juggling time for work and time for family.
Running late for work and keeping up with deadlines make up our day. We bury our noses on mobile phones. Headphones are our friends in getting our jobs done. Less talk means less idle time. Most of the time, family never comes first.
I was surprised when I joined my nephew’s Saturday’s activity, “Family Day”, that I saw a lot of parents who were joining the activity. I felt this heartwarming happiness seeing moms and dads being there for their children. It was a total pleasure witnessing parents who would do everything for their kids.
One of the most striking highlight of the activity was the look-alike program. I was actually one of the happy members of the audience laughing out loud at how a parent and his or her kid show everyone how to look and even act alike.
What got my attention was a mom who wore a fuchsia and black block dress and a pink flower hair clip. It was double the fun because her daughter wore the same outfit. When they were on the microphone, her daughter said, “Alam ‘nyo na kung saan ako nag mana!” Later, the duo won first prize.
I felt good knowing that a mom like her would do everything to make her daughter proud.
When mom was still here, I remember that she was late for my elementary graduation because she had other important things to do and I was so upset that time. She treated us for lunch but for me, it was not that enough.
When high school graduation came, she was already suffering severe asthma but she took the time to come early and even walked through the aisle with me for the graduation rites. I was totally happy that day. I couldn’t remember where we went after because I only remember her presence which was the only thing that I asked for.
Mom did not make it through my college graduation. She passed away when I was still a college freshman. Papa, on the other hand, never got to any of my graduation rites. We lost him when I was still in Grade Two.
When people talk about love like it’s only for lovers, I can’t help but object. I was always longing for my parents’ love through their presence. It was just unfortunate that I lost them sooner that I thought.
When mom was diagnosed with cancer, my sisters and I took all the time to take care of her. It was too late, probably. We could have spent more time to be together.
When we become so focused on working for money while thinking of family, let us remember that it is our presence that is more important than anything else.
In these present times, let us not forget the people who were always there for us. Let us not look for love like we were seriously deprived of it. Because when parents take the time to do everything for their children, it is a priceless gift of love. No lover can fill that kind of emptiness, I know that now. (Geefe Alba)