YOUNG VOICE
No charge
For my column today, permit me to share a touching story about a mother revealing her love to her son.
My little boy came into the kitchen this evening while I was fixing supper. He handed me a piece of paper he’d been writing on. After wiping my hands on my apron, I read it, and this is what it said:
For mowing the grass, $5
For making my own bed this week, $1
For going to the store, $0.50
For playing with baby brother while you went shopping, $0.25
For taking out the trash, $1
For getting a good report card, $5
And for raking the yard, $2
Well, I looked at him standing there expectantly, and a thousand memories flashed through my mind. So I picked up the paper, and turning it over, this is what I wrote.
For the nine months I carried you, growing inside me, No charge.
For the nights I sat up with you, doctored you, prayed for you, No charge.
For the time and the tears and the cost through the years, No charge.
For the nights filled with dread, and the worries ahead, No charge.
For advice and the knowledge, and the cost of your college, No charge.
For the toys, food and clothes, and for wiping your nose, No charge.
Son, when you add it all up, the full cost of my love is No charge.
Well, when he finished reading, he had great big tears in his eyes. He looked up at me and he said, “Mama I sure do love you.” Then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote, PAID IN FULL. (Christmas CrossTalk Songs and Stories, Joel Eslabra)
No profession can equal that of a mother's because she works overtime without compensation.
When she became a mother, her tasks are endless but no material wealth can repay the cost of her love.
However, some children fail to see her importance. We’d rather go to the movies with our friends than spend some few hours watching foreign novellas with her while eating Indian mango soaked in soy sauce.
We rather choose to break her heart with our stubborn words because we misinterpret her nagging instead of accepting our mistakes.
I consider myself lucky. Those nights that I was studying for my exams, Nanay would be up until 3 in the morning to cook noodles when I became hungry. I did not hear a word of complaint or regret from her.
But sometimes, I am an ungrateful daughter. I made her wait when she wanted a back massage because I was busy watching a good television show. Sometimes, I deny her some moments of hugs, kisses and thanks because of teenage angst.
I don't know what your mother is like. But I believe that she would do everything to take good care of you.
Nanay told me one time that if only she could have all the powers in the world, she would make me and my brother perfect and that would make her extremely happy.
Her love is unconditional and selfless. She deserves more than our thank yous, roses, hugs, kisses and mushy column
articles. But, you know what? She is more than contented with our petty and simple acts of repayment.
Like the little boy, most of us would compete with our mother’s worth. With a simple wash of dirty dishes or a quick sweep of the sala, we then think that we have done her role. But, actually we should do these simple acts as an attempt to make her happy and feel that her every day love and concern is appreciated. Each of us have the best mom in the world and even if we can’t be the best sons or daughters, she doesn’t care, she still loves even the worst of us. I guess in some way, the best mom rightfully deserves the best treatment. Kiss her with your best kiss. Hug her with your best hug. Do your best to love her everyday.
Her love costs more than all the wealth you’ll see in your lifetime. But her love remains free of charge.
Sa pinalanga ko nga Nanay, I love you and you’re the best!
Belated Happy Mother’s Day.
Birthday Greetings to my cousin, Ken R. Magallanes.
(For comments and reactions send them to reylangarcia@gmail.com. View http://www.theyoungvoice.blogspot.com)