The one and only man in my life is turning seven today and I can’t help but wax sentimental. I always complain that I find it harder to raise a son than a daughter but I look at him so handsome, so smart and so full of life and then all the hardships that go with parenthood are washed away. Like his two siblings, Paolo is very malambing (loving.) He has the knack for saying just the words to melt my heart away such as “Mom, you’re the best!” or “Mom, I love being in our house because…I love you!” Of course, he also says totally unexpected things such as “Mom, don’t baby-talk me..it’s embarrassing.” There’s no doubt that my boy is growing up fast and has a mind of his own but I know that the bond holding us together is so strong. I just pray that I’ll be there to love him and guide him every step of the way.
Dearest Son,
I am sorry that Mom has to be in the office today but you know that we will all dine out in the restaurant later and play in the arcade as I promised. It may just be one hour, two hours but we will have a good time as we have always done.
I know that you have always been the understanding chap, the realities of our lives has made you one. Young as you are, we have talked about why Mom and Dad could not be together and I am glad that you are taking it fine. The hardest lesson I have probably taught you is that we cannot have perfection in our highly imperfect world. Yet, I am thankful that God has made me healthy and strong so I can give you and your sisters not just life’s material comforts but also all the opportunities for your personal growth. Mom may not be able to fetch you in school like what the other mothers are doing but we will always be travelling together and exploring new things together. Heck, I will even learn all your video games even if I think am too old for it. We may not be the typical conventional family but there always be food, TV, toys and laughter in our humble home that am pretty sure you will forget what a typical conventional family is like.
I can never thank you enough, Son, for never judging me even when some people have criticized me or deemed me a failure. I can never thank you enough for bringing sunshine to my days and light to my darkest moments. It is true that parenthood entails supreme hardship and sacrifice but all these come to naught when I think about the happiness and fulfillment you and your sisters give me. It is not only about you growing but me growing together with you through the best and worst of times.
As you go through life, I will never pressure you to become Anybody. I would just like you to spread your wings and live life righteously. What does this mean? That you drink your milk everyday and clean up after all the mess you make in our room. For you to treat people the way you would like to be treated and learn the value of hard work when you are fully-grown.
I don’t have a special gift for you today but I hope you will appreciate our little gifts to you… our time, love and friendship. From Dianne, Dionne and me… happy birthday, we love you!!!
