Bonding With The Kids

Nissa always says that now that she is a mother herself, she appreciates all the things that she learned from me while growing up. We were not what you can say, a normal family. Husband was away during their childhood years. I was the nanay con tatay of the family until they finished college.

There is a lot to learn when you are rearing kids on your own.  A trial and error thing that works sometimes, at other times they do not. But there is always a sense of fulfillment when they grow up as responsible adults.  There is a sense of accomplishment too when you see them  as successful individuals in their own career.

One happy family despite the odds.

Since today is Mother’s Day, I traipse down memory lane once more.  One remembers the days when mere notes and letters written in notebook pages  and crumpled letter envelopes greet you when you go home or a home-made card telling you that they miss you. One remembers Nissa’s cut-out  colored papers fashioned into flowers and Josef’s drawing of a big house with a big single door but lots of windows where we could all live when they have jobs of their own. And those lovely times going up the stage with them during recognition days every year in school. One remembers that time when one of Nissa’s professors called you and said congratulations because your daughter will be graduating Magna Cum Laude, one of those Latin honors that every parent and student dreams of. One remembers the anticipation of counting the days until your grandchild is born.

Ah, the years are kind.

It’s been a long time since I tasted a mocha-flavored cake. Those were the days when birthdays of my two kids were always celebrated with either vanilla or mocha-flavored cakes. Di pa uso dati ang Red Ribbon, puro Goldilocks lang. The former only began franchising in 1999.

Goldilocks’ mocha roll.

Josef gifted me with a whole Goldilock’s Mocha cake for Mother’s Day. Though I am not much into sweets now, I enjoyed having a slice.

Tomorrow, Nissa and I are going out for lunch, a late Mother’s Day bonding and catching up. I love my kids, they are so thoughtful .

And did I say  that togetherness is what counts?

Read Full Post »