The day after: A Postscript to Mothers' Day

CEBU, Philippines - Monday. The day after Mothers' Day. The start of another regular week, of a new challenge. And who's the better person to handle the day? Mothers. And they do it with characteristic poise and style.

The day after Mothers' Day, mothers are back to the usual routine, doing the same stuff, bearing the same pain, struggling through the same battles. Yet no matter how hard, how tiring their roles, mothers do it anyway - because it is in their nature, it is in the core of their beings.

I should know, being a mother myself. Motherhood is something we cannot fail at. It defines who we are - as a woman, as a person.

Sunday, Mother's Day, was a chance we gave to all the loving sons and daughters, to thoughtful husbands and sweet friends to greet us and shower us with attention. But the day after was back to normal. We were back to our usual selves - no more greetings, no more gifts, no more special attention.

But we mothers are not complaining. We embrace our roles dearly, wholeheartedly. We know that what we do for the family matters; we know that it is always appreciated, whether the appreciation is expressed or not. 

And so we gladly go on. We prepare food for the kids, take them to and fetch them at school, making sure that we are always there for them, afraid that even a mere second of absence may bring a different order to their lives. It would be different if we are not there to put powder on their backs after playtime. It would be different if we are not there to tuck them to bed and kiss them good night.

 We know that with every little thing we do for our little ones we are creating a memory, something to enrich their own experience of life which they will hopefully cherish. We expect nothing in return but to see them grow and prosper. Motherhood is a privilege, a blessing - not an investment.

Our greatest reward is seeing our children become loving parents themselves. We hope for the loving to continue from generation to generation, to our grandchildren and great grandchildren, and the generations after. But it is possible only because we start it in our time.

This is the reason for Mothers' Day. The whole world celebrates us mothers and the many things that we do. And as we are back on our usual grinds after the celebration, let us always remember that our role as mothers may be difficult yet it is most vital.

Let us be proud of ourselves. We are mothers! (FREEMAN)