A Mom and More

Twenty years ago, I had the happiest, the most memorable, and the best Fourth of July ever.

In the United States, every Fourth of July, Americans celebrate their Independence Day – commemorating America’s freedom from Great Britain, the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Since then, US Independence Day was celebrated with fireworks, parades, barbecues and picnics.

On the 4^th of July 1987, I joined the Americans in their Fourth of July celebration: not in America but at the delivery room of St. Luke’s Hospital; no fireworks but with water and blood works from my prematurely ruptured water bag; not a parade of uniformed soldiers on horses and carriages but that of nurses, med techs, an anesthesiologist, and an OB-gynecologist; and no picnic in the park but a lunch fast for my husband and an enema for me.

On this day, two decades ago, I gave birth to ALELI: a chinky-eyed, healthy, 3.3 kilogram baby girl with dimples on her cheeks and a bluish birthmark on her knee. She came out a month earlier than expected, probably because I got exhausted preparing for her kuya’s (Aaron’s) grand first birthday (18 July) coupled with corporate workloads at hand and the longing to be with my husband who was then on provincial office trip. She came out in time to party as the youngest visitor (2-week old) in Aaron’s birthday.

Aleli or Aei was called by a lot of names when she was growing up: “bunginding” (which we coined from bungisngising dalaginding”) since she was always smiling and looked lady-like at a tender age; “Cinderelli” (like Cinderella) since she always wanted to wear below-the-knee, fluffy party dresses while her girlfriends wore shorts; “Karya” (which my mom calls her) since she could be fiercely wacky and comical at times; and “Babs” (the pink prankster rabbit in Tiny Toons) as she became mom and cared for a family of 10 rabbits when she was in primary school.

Aleli was a multifaceted girl. Aleli consistently garnered top honors from nursery through high school while she developed a list of diverse talents and interests: ballet, pop singing, kiddie ramp modeling, taekwondo, Japanese anime, computers, ice skating, wall climbing, writing, arts and crafts.

You can see for yourself the many faces of Aleli in the photo collage below which she created and used for her 18^th birthday souvenir give-away clock.

This photo was given to only our very close family members and a handful of true friends since Aleli opted for just a simple potluck celebration with everyone dressed in sunflower colors, instead of a fancy debutante’s ball. She was mindful of the hard financial times we were going through in the family and just wanted to add to her savings fund.

Now a 3rd year student at UP Communications Research, Aleli continues to be the same diligent, persevering and determined girl she always was. Despite some challenges which comes her way in school, she has managed to excel in her courses and learn about life’s realities. People wonder why she doesn’t have a boyfriend yet and she replies with “pang-aksaya lang ng panahon … tambak ako sa research works!” (I can’t afford a boyfriend yet since I am pressed for time with loads of research works). I guess (hope), Aleli’s having a boyfriend may be delayed even beyond college since she restlessly craves to tap and develop her artistic talents through a second course in graphic, multi-media arts (see her self-portrait and creativity below); I smile at this notion since it means having my little girl at home with me — to have and to hold — for (still) more years to come.

My dearest Aei, my friend, my ally, my home partner, my shopping mate, my fashion consultant, my wellness checker, my financier, my precious jewel –

You are one of my little twin stars and through the years you have been my hope for better things to come, my strength to overcome hardships, my light during dark moments.

Still remember the lyrics of Celine Dion’s song which you sang for us on your Grade 6 gratitude day — “Because You Love Me?” With what we’ve shared these recent years, I believe I should be singing the song back to you …

“For all those times you stood by me …

… You were my strength when I was weak,
You were my voice when I couldnt speak,
You were my eyes when I couldnt see,
You saw the best there was in me,
Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach,
You gave me faith ‘coz you believed,
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me…

You were always there for me …
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You’ve been my inspiration …
My world is a better place because of you …”

Happy happy birthday Aei! Thank you for everything and God bless you always. Remember that Papa, Kuya Aaron and I will always be around with you, for you.