mom.

yesterday i woke up with a mild fever and i suddenly missed my mom. she would make porridge or hot soup and i'd feel better. she always makes me feel better, assured, protected and safe. i have nothing to worry about because she always makes everything okay.

i've been away from my mom for more than 3 years now. i love my so-called independence and the satisfying feeling of taking charge of my own life. but there were times when i wished my mom was here to pat me on the back and give me that reassuring hug that everything would be okay.

my mom and i didn't always see eye to eye. we've had our share of disagreements and disappointments. but that's water under the bridge now. i believe those "little" fights we've had in the past strengthened our bond even more.

when i was still young, the first word that came out of my mouth when i fell on my knees while running or when i accidentally stapled my finger or when boys bullied me at school -- was "MOMMY...".  it was always "mommy". i couldn't remember a time when i did not need my mom.

when my grandma died 11 years ago, i witnessed how devastated my mom was. she was my grandma's favorite and closest child. this, i vividly remember -- at 50-something, my mom cried and uttered these words while we were on our way to the cemetery, "Ma, kinahanglan pa ta ka... (Ma, i still need you)".

there is no expiration to the love and care mothers give to their children. and it's something that we, their children, would always, always need and long for.

no matter what age we are, we will never get too old to NOT need our moms. :)