I have so many places I call home. There’s the cliche old adage that says “home is where the heart is” that rings true for me and for most people.

It is a paradox that majority of the Filipinos who would do anything to immigrate to other nations, immerse themselves in that culture for years, could live in the country of their choice anywhere in the world thereafter, would in the end desire and choose to be back ‘home’ in the Philippines in the remainder of their lives. In the back of my mind, that’s exactly where I want to be… Someday.

Having lived in the United States for years, I still hear myself saying “back home in the Philippines…” whenever I refer the Philippines in a conversation. There is that constant desire to be back ‘home’. Perhaps no matter how long I live abroad, I will always call the Philippines, specifically Davao and General Santos City, home because that’s where a big part of my heart is.

Where my family is, is home to me as well. Since my entire family is now scattered all across the globe, I just added more ‘homes’ to call!

Yet there is only one home where I feel truly pampered, secure and nestled– where my mom is! Western culture will probably not understand the strong connection we from the East have with family and mothers but it is there. That is why sons and daughters continue to live in their parents home for as long as they are single (regardless of age) and even when they already have their own family (kids and all), because we simply can not cut the proverbial ‘umbilical cord’ that ties us with them.

It is not for practical reasons as the trend now in the United States, where kids go back in their parents home after college because living on their own has just gotten too expensive. It is more emotional than financial (although it sure eases that aspect!)

I (intentionally?) live far from my mother- about three thousand miles far! East and West far. She in California and me in Massachusetts. The setup works because it keeps our volatile ‘mood swings’ and varying incompatible opinions from colliding!

Being away from her has many pleasures yet I always yearn to be home with her. There’s nothing like coming home, where my heart is- to be with her, even for a short time especially that of late, our relationship have really changed dramatically for the better.

My last two visits including this one have been really pleasant and wonderful. (Yes, I am in California!) We’re no longer fighting or shouting at each other, just arguing a few in soft voices and then we’re ok.

More and more I appreciate her presence in my life and how lucky and blessed my sisters and I are to have her for a mother- forgiving, self-sacrificing, selfless and all loving without conditions, no ifs and buts. I’ve never really understood all that she was, growing up. I’m more blessed for second chances, given time to amend things and make life between us, a little bit ‘perfect’ if we could even reach that state!

I have many “homes.” I have many places where my heart is, but nothing, nothing brings me so much warmth than coming home to where my mother is wherever she may be in the world…

your courage is admirable
your understanding unconditional
your warmth is comforting
your embrace, reassuring.

your generosity is remarkable
your smell is unforgettable
your determination superb
your caring ways unrivaled.

your laugh is memorable
your cooking always exquisite
your patience notable
your stubborn ways matchless.

your love, priceless.

how can we live without you?
what’s a life without you?
must be truly unbearable.
can’t imagine. don’t wanna live without.

Happy mother’s Day with love and respect.

Related post: SHE

My relationship with her has always been that of love-hate. I love her the most when we’re not talking or when we’re apart. I love her when she’s away or when I’m away. As long as I don’t see her or talk to her, I love her. It’s almost impossible for us to stay in one room without us having a fight. Our conversation kicks off okay but moments later, we’ll be discussing points then arguing then fighting then ending up not talking altogether for days… Those are my youthful recollection with her in my life.

She was 26 years old when I was born. She was just starting a career in the food business and was she enterprising! Her whole world revolved around the business. She worked ludicrous hours, performed tasks for what could be done by three or five people at one time, laboured like there was no tomorrow. She was unstoppable. She made night, day and worked some more in the wee hours of the night. I didn’t ever see her asleep!

She’s always working 24/7 it seems. And though it paid off, she lost me and my sisters in the process, me especially. My memories of my childhood are somewhat vague to me. Much as I try hard to recall, I could only come up with snippets of it. Perhaps I’m repressing it or unconsciously trying to forget that part of my life. Not that I had a completely messed up childhood. For the most part, I lived in a happy, loving, comfortable home but it’s something I’d rather not recall. She was never on it anyway. So what was there to remember?

I do remember that I was mischievous, naughty and rebellious as a kid. I had my share of corporal punishments- alot! But that’s not why I was angry at the world and taking it against her. I was mad because I never felt truly loved as a child. I was always craving for attention. It was the classic middle child syndrome. I felt I wasn’t always good-enough. My eldest sister was the responsible one. She was graceful, pretty and she had the fairer skin and nice, curly hair. My younger sister was the center of attention for she was the baby. She was cute, sweet, adorable and very smart! As for me, I was dark, short, average and anything but graceful! The result? I tried to lived up to how they saw me. I was seen as the female version of Dennis the menace so I gave them problems! It was easy to be bad. (It still is easy now! Ha!)

When I was 12, I joined my eldest sister in Manila for High School. That was just to get away from her as far as possible. Together we tried living responsibly as teenagers in the ‘big’ city. We stayed for four years in Manila and only visited our hometown, General Santos on summer time. Even then, I couldn’t befriend her. I would annoy her on end and rebel against anything she says. I always looked at her as THE enemy. I blamed her for all the bad memories of my youth.

After graduating High School, I was bored sick of Manila so I joined my eldest sister, this time in Davao City for college. My eldest sister, she too was trying to stay away from her as far as possible. Not that far in this case, as Davao City is only a two and a half hours drive from our hometown. However, this meant that she was much closer to commute to and fro and makes it easy for her to visit us almost every weekend. I despised the whole idea. Still, I played along. It was in college that she started making ammends for the lost years. I thought she was pushing her luck. By this time, my emotions were stoned when it came to her. I resist showing any affection and if I did, it was forced. I still respect the person nonetheless, huge respect for what she has accomplished in her life. That was it.

After college, I thought that the best place to find the best opportunity for a career is in Manila. So, my sister and I went back to find our chance there. We did find it and again we were separated from her. All my life’s objective it seemed have been trying to avoid her presence. Anywhere but with her seemed like the best place to be. Nevertheless, as fate would have it, I found myself back in my hometown after a short stint in Tokyo, Japan and almost two years of working in Manila. I came back with a deep need of being home. So I was there, after 12 years of ‘running away,’ I was home.

The reunion was everything but sweet. All my youthful anger came back to haunt me and I was at her again, doing what I do best- making her life miserable! I thought she made my life miserable back then, so it’s payback time! We fought endlessly. We never agreed on anything. We could not talk for even five minutes without pushing each other’s wits. I thought it was useless being there. We were hurting each other like crazy. I was filled with remorse but then I do it again. I almost intentionally would say things just to hurt her. I didn’t know what to do. No matter how many times I’ve tried making up with her, it doesn’t seem to work. I’ve been on her prayers everyday for the last 19 years. She’s probably praying that whatever evilness has struck me, I would soon snap out of it!

Then one day, it happened. We were having one of our fights. We were shouting at the top of our lungs. We were relentless! We were exhausted. The next thing we knew we were crying hard and hugging and forgiving each other and just loving. For once there was peace in our home, and in our hearts…

The thing is, I love her more than anything and anyone in the world! She has her flaws. She was never perfect but neither was I. For all her imperfections there was beauty, dignity, courage, determination, resilience, compassion in her that was unmistakably hers.

For years, I have wanted her to be the best for me. Blamed her for things I did on my own. Shame on me! Not once did I think, have I been giving her and showing her the best of me??! I should have but I never did! The best thing about this realization is that, it’s never too late! She never gave up and she never turned her back on me. She has always welcomed me back with open arms everytime I come back to her. No questions asked.

She left for the States in 2000. I followed her in 2004. We don’t live in the same State. I am over 2000 miles away from her. I saw her four times since I came here and I still fought with her on that four times I visited and I still fight with her over the phone whenever we talk. I just don’t get along with her. Maybe, the relationship has to be that way for it to work. Love-hate- there is such a thing.

I REALLY, TRULY, DEEPLY LOVE her. You think there is a happy ending to this? I’m working on it. Everyday, I’m still a work in progress…

You know who I’m talking about here, don’t you? You too have her around the house. Everybody’s got one! You grew up with her. She may be a ‘pain’ at times but you have to admit, she’s the best thing that has ever happened to your life and she’s the best person you know. She, her, our mom, mama, mum, ima, ina, mommy- mother.©