A Mom and More

“As a gem is polished with friction, a man is perfected by adversities.”

Three quarters of a century ago, in San Fernando, La Union, baby girl Adoracion Flores was born to Emilio and Emilia Flores. She was the eldest and only girl of two younger brothers Perry and Flor. Partly of Spanish descent, Adorita as she has been fondly called, grew up to be a very pretty lady who graced San Manuel, Pangasinan’s fiesta celebrations as a beauty queen for several years and the apple of everyone’s eye because of her many talents. She lived a life of abundance since her parents where both teachers, then the most if not one of the best profession a person can have. Having the privilege to enter Grade 1 at barely 5 and getting promoted way ahead of her peers during her times, she was a Pharmacist by the age of 18. She married a contractor, Alfredo, nine years her senior in 1957 and so, I came to be.

Yes, you would have guessed that Adoracion is my mom. She was not only physically beautiful but inwardly so. After marriage, mom went through a lot of trials: as an obedient wife who had to quit her career to start a family and manage a home, as a faithful spouse who had to contend with Filipino double-standards for the sake of the family; a committed and loving mom who virtually raised four kids single-handedly (when single parenthood wasn’t yet in vogue), a real Christian who constantly prayed for guidance and forgave those who wronged her; my model and inspiration in facing life’s challenges with optimism, resiliency and integrity.

My mom hasn’t ever read blogs nor does she know what a blog is (except for a faint notion that it’s what my son does most of the time after school), but this wouldn’t deter me from writing this birthday note to her on her diamond birthday — for the world to know how happy I am to have a mom like her.

Happy happy birthday mommy! Thank you for taking care of all of us with love. Thank you for teaching us to be strong while learning to accept things we can not change, to chart our own course without being too proud to heed the Lord’s voice in our journeys, to be different from the rest though still able to bow low to lend a hand to those in need, and to have family celebrations even if we barely have time for ourselves.

I hope and pray that the Lord continues to watch over you, gives you better health and more happy years with us. I wish I could age as gracefully, positively and meaningfully as you are. While I know that I am far from being a perfect eldest child (though I did my best), I feel so blessed that I have partaken of your inner beauty and lasting treasures. I realize that if I patiently endure my polishings, I can also be a gem, like you.

You are truly a loving diamond who will live forever in our hearts!

I love you mommy.

To friends in the blogosphere, kindly say a birthday prayer that my mom’s wishes for today come true in God’s time. You may leave greetings for her (in the comments) and I’d be more than pleased to print them so she can read them. Thank you.