Serendipity
By Joanne Marie Combong-Pijuan

The Joys of Mommyhood

 
I never really thought I had it in me -- that distinct quality, that nurturing capacity, that something “something” that transforms ordinary women into mothers. If there was a poll conducted for the person least likely to become a mother during my college days, that person would be me. My sorority sisters proved this when, after finding out that I was pregnant, they all burst out laughing. The twits had the audacity to ridicule me first before offering their congratulations. Well, so much for sisterhood. I really couldn't blame them though, I was the girl who bought a hamster and forgot about the poor thing until my dorm room reeked of rotting carcass – er, specifically, hamster carcass. That was how nurturing I was.

I knew of course how difficult it was going to be. I've witnessed the juggling act that my own mother had to perform everyday of her life when we were growing up (and even until now) – balancing a career, being a wife, and mother of six kids. But I guess nothing could really prepare any woman for the challenges, the triumphs, the difficulties, and most especially the joys of mommyhood. I'm sorry girls, but you just have to experience it to be able to know what I'm talking about.

Last May 8 was Mother's Day. I know this article is a week late for me to be talking about motherhood. But if you really trace the roots of Mother's day back to the time of the ancient Greeks and the Romans, our celebration is actually two months behind. Some historians claim that the predecessor of the Mother's Day holiday was the ancient spring festival dedicated to mother goddesses. In the ancient Greek empire the spring festival honored Rhea, wife of Cronus and mother of the gods and goddesses. In Rome the most significant Mother's Day-like festival was dedicated to the worship of Cybele, another mother goddess. Ceremonies in her honor began some 250 years before Christ was born. This Roman religious celebration, known as Hilaria, lasted for three days—from March 15th to 18 th .

But as what I always say, regardless of the history, the origins (and its many versions), the varying dates--Mother's Day should be celebrated everyday. I know it's tough to do this especially when a conversation with your mom always ends in a shouting match and when she checks your whereabouts every few seconds. Mothers will always be “kulit” and meddlesome, it is in our nature. Even my son knows how excruciatingly “makulit” I can be but that doesn't stop him from saying “I love you so much, mom,” every single minute of the day. Sometimes I marvel at how I was able to raise such a sweet and loving kid when 15 years ago I was torturing hamsters.

Every precious day spent with Zaki, my son, is a joy and a revelation. I am proud to say that I'm a hands-on mom. I'm so lucky to be able to spend almost all of my time with my son now that he's in his formative years; to know him more, to have fun with him; to teach and nurture him; to listen to him talk about everything from the mundane to the downright ridiculous (but always with his uncanny 5 year old wisdom); to answer his intelligent questions about almost everything that fazes him; to hear him speak about his dreams and what he wants to be when he grows up; to be proud of how mature he is and how well-behaved; and to laugh out loud at his humor and be astounded by his wit. I didn't know that such a profound love (the love of a mother to her child) ever existed if I didn't have my own child. Call it OA or over the top, but oftentimes I can literally feel that love uncontrollably bubbling and bursting inside of me like hot, molten lava. Sure I get mad at him, but once he gives me that sweet smile, my heart just melts.

Motherhood. Nothing really prepares us for this lifetime task, this joyful state. I know I am not a perfect mother. But nothing compares to the sublime happiness that I feel when my son and husband tell me that I'm “the best mom in the world”. Indeed, the joy of motherhood is incomparable, so much so that I decided to give it another shot. In a few months time, I'll be a new mom once again. And I just can't wait.