I must have told this story a hundred times or so to close friends over the years already but since its Mothers Day tomorrow I deem retelling it will be a most fitting tribute to my own mom who passed away 25 years ago. On our birthdays (March 11 for me & July 31 for Manang Francia) it has been moms tradition to take us to Quiapo church to pray and to thank God for the blessings throughout the year. Mom was a devotee of the Black Nazarene. I remember she would even walk kneeling (lumakad ng paluhod) from the door to the altar to pray for Gods healing whenever one of us was sick. On one such occasion, about 42 years back, she took me to Quiapo to celebrate my 6th birthday. After hearing the mass and praying, she then took me to the toy stores outside the bassilica. There were no malls yet in 1972... no Toy Kingdom or Toys R Us yet. Mom told me, Its your day son... Get whatever toy you want. My eyes opened wide with amazement as I looked at an array of toys to choose from. My attention was caught by a pair of dolls that looked like twins-- a boy & a girl. I knew right there and then thats the toy I wanted for my birthday. I told her pointing to the twin dolls, Mommy, I want that twin dolls. Upon hearing that the salesladies started to whisper among themselves and they started to laugh. I couldnt understand then what the hell they were laughing for. One saleslady asked me, Dont you like a toy gun or a car instead little lad? Are you sure you want that dolls? I looked at mom feeling confused saying, I really like that twin dolls mommy. Very well then, mom said as she turned to the saleslady and said, Its his birthday. Give my son what he wants, Until now, whenever I go to Quiapo I will be reminded of that incident and it never misses to bring tears into my eyes as I remember the most beautiful mom in my eyes and in my heart... Happy Mothers Day mommy dear wherever you may be and thank you for loving me as I am.c,)
Posted on: Sat, 10 May 2014 11:38:40 +0000
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