Called to be a Mother

I am not the wisest of all parents in the world. As much as I would like others to realize that right parenting is the most important thing this world needs, to end the war, poverty and chaos, I do not claim to know everything. I am still learning. Every day, I am learning and growing with my son. It makes my journey as a mother not just delightful but very meaningful. I guess what we parents only need first of all, is the humility to accept the fact that we do not know everything, especially when it comes to raising our children. The problem with most of us is that we think that as parents, we have the right to be correct all the time. We think that since we are the parents, we have all the privilege of being obeyed at all times, of being right at all times, of being the only one to be talking at all times. I know that because I too am tempted once in a while to think that way.

I am a parent, yes. But I am also a child of God. If you are reading this and you don't believe in the existence of someone greater than us, then you can stop reading this right away. God is a father. He, too, like me is a parent. Who else will I turn to for parenting tips but him? Who else best knows how to properly raise my son but him? And so I turn to his words for comfort when raising my son sometimes becomes challenging. I turn to him for advice in times when I am confused with what to do. I turn to him because I know he will never fail me. He called me to become a parent in the first place, didn't he?

I do not own my son. He is not my property, my possession. I am only a steward. My son was entrusted to me by the Lord so that I can teach him his ways and he too can be holy like he is called to be. It's only been 8 years since I became a mother. I still have a lifetime ahead of me to learn the ropes. But yes each day matters like it's the last. That's why I sieze it, every minute of it. And at the end of the day, I may not have done everything right, but it makes me feel right to be able to kneel down and pray with my son, read to him the bible and be assured that we are being taken care of by the best parent in the world, our God the Father.

Getting to know his friends and growing up with them

Motherhood is about getting to know my son and getting to know his friends. It warms my heart to know his friends like to hang out with him at home, sometimes they make a surprise visit and I invite them to join us for a meal. Last night we reviewed their homework together and I could see how happy my son was. I learn and I grow up with them.

Gabriel is raising funds for Child Worker No More program

One Painting Sold for KWADERNO!

Just sold one painting for P100  he can now buy his 10 pieces of notebooks to be donated to KWADERNO. He wants to sell another one of his works so he can donate more. http://notebooksforlife.blogspot.com/

His first ever short story

Now he wants to be a writer

You can be anything you want to be

You can be anything I want you to be

You can be an astronaut, 

a teacher, or maybe a captain or a pilot

You can be an artist that 

you seem you are right now

Or you can be a writer

like I am, or a priest

even if with that you raise a brow. 

You can be a hero, 

not the Power ranger kind, 

but someone with a huge heart

for a kid that nobody minds. 

You can be a teacher 

that every learner would surely love, 

Or you can be a painter 

that paints the sky above. 

You can be someone not in this crazy list 

Anywhere you go someday I know 

you will make life a bliss

God wants you "to bring joy wherever you go" 

I'm sure that's what you surely know. 

Getting the feel of the art exhibit

It was a privilege meeting Nunelucio, one of the Philippines national artists.

Planning for a one-man show :)

Gabriel is going to spend the summer raising funds for his enrollment next school-year. I want to teach him the value of hard work and using our talents and skills for a greater purpose. This will also teach him the value of being responsible, and so many other things I am hoping he would learn, understand, discover. Today he attended his first session on Summer Art Workshop and in the coming days, he hopes to start drawing for his exhibit already! Can’t wait!

Happy Places II

My Dear Gabriel,

These days you have been giving me more and more joy. It's not that you haven't done ever before, it's really hard to compare. When you were just a year old, when you were in kindergarten, now that you're turning nine. There is really not much of a difference when I think of how happy you have made me. The only thing right now is that you are more capable of expressing yourself through words and that gives me a lot of assurance that indeed, I have done well, thanks be to God. The way that you are right now to me, in such a very young age, almost gives me a full view of what you are going to be someday. I am so blessed and so privileged God has chosen me to be your mother, and has chosen you to be my son. We are a perfect team. Together we will do as God wills us to do. Thank you for the joy of your kisses and I love yous, they come more often these days and more sincere since they are absolutely voluntary! Being your mother makes me wonder what good I have done in my life to deserve such a joy. I praise and thank the Lord for all that you are to me, for the dreams going on in your little head, for the cute and funny moments in between our serious conversations about life and the world and what our mission is while we are here. I praise and thank the Lord for allowing me to witness such a beautiful unfolding of life by your smiles, by your sleepy smooches at dawn, by your cheerful laughter. There is so much that I oftentimes lost count of how many times you remind me God is miracle. Indeed you are a miracle. 

Love always and forever,
Nanay