MERCEDES the beautiful

Mercedes, the most beautiful woman in the world.

I was watching Survivor a couple of weeks ago, and saw how they praised Sandra for being a strong woman for giving births to two sons without any pain medicines.

Well, my mother had five. Three of my siblings were born inside our house. That's how tough my mother is.

She was 21 when she finished college. I remember her telling me that there were two guys who were pursuing her. A pastor and an ordinary man. She chose the extraordinary man. My father is a great man, but he used to drink a lot and never go to church with us. My mother never stopped praying to open my father's heart and let him look up to the Lord. 1993 came, my father got saved and decided to quit his job and go to a Bible school to further study the word of God. 20 years of praying, all paid off. Now my father is faithfully serving the Lord being a leader to the church of his own.

But that moment was the most difficult time of my mom's life. She now has 5 kids and a husband to take care of. Feeding and giving money and allowance to go to school everyday.By God's grace and hardwork, all of us finished school and they are now reaping what they have sown.

She was 24 years old when she had my eldest sister, 26 when she had my other sister, 28 when she had my brother, and 30 when she had my other brother. And ten years after that, BAM! she had me! I was literally a menopausal baby. Hence, explaining my odd behavior. LOL.

She worked as a teacher all her life. As a kid growing up, I would wake up in the middle of the night to drink some water or to go to the bathroom, I would see her in our kitchen table working on her lesson plans. She was dedicated to her job. And she was good at it. Even received praises for it. All of her students adored her.

She also is one of the luckiest teachers in the face of this planet. Her classroom is just right on the back of our house. There's a 30-step distance between our house and her classroom. It was very convenient for her and her co-teachers to go to our house if they needed anything, or oftentimes, when they're hungry. She would take pride in saying that she didn't spend a single coin on transportation and gas throughout her working career.

We didn't live a comfortable life back then. A teacher and a salesman's salaries were not enough. But we kept on praying and never lost our faith. Somehow, we managed to survive. My brothers and sisters would only have one pair of school uniform. So they washed it everytime they get home from school and wear it again the next day. Would only have one pair of shoes their whole college and high school life. When it was tuition time for school, with 5 kids asking for money and you have zero balance in your account. She would always say, It's my problem. Me and you father will find a way, and tomorrow, we'll pay your fees.

"Let us worry, and be sure to do good in school. And someday when you have the means, you can repay us." That was their favorite line.

I'm not bragging or anything but I just know that she loves me the most. I will forever be her baby.

My mother has this distinct scent that I'd forever love to cuddle with. A warm embrace that can heal all my wounds. A smile that can take away worries and doubts. A laugh that can lighten up a room. A beauty that can radiate to my soul.

I grew up in a very open house, it's almost everyday that we have visitors. I'm used in waking up each morning with my messy hair and a big yawn in my pajamas then walking out of my room and see people in our kitchen. And she was the most hospitable and loving host I've ever seen. She makes it to a point to let you feel that this was your home too. And I'm not sure if I can be that loving to my guests someday.

And now that somehow she has some means to buy some things she wants. She would always ask me, are you hungry? do you want me to buy that to you? Always asking me first. Always making sure that I was satisfied.

She submits to my father as what the Bible tells her to do, never asking why or how.

She used to take joy in going to the city everyday to see my father at work. She'd eagerly wait for him until his work is over and they'd both go home. Theirs was a love story like no other.

She would take simple joys her time playing with her grandkids, eating out with my father (they now have all the time in the world to date), being active at church, going to senior citizen meetitngs and clubs, facebooking and skyping. hahaha. Watching wowowee, Filipino telenovelas and Koreanovelas.

And of course a greater joy in faithfully serving the Lord for the past 65 years of her life.

Happy mother's day to all!