I REMEMBER WATCHING Gilmore Girls and stumbled upon what Rory said about her mother: “She guided me through these incredible eighteen years. I don’t know if she ever realized that the person I most wanted to be was her.” Indeed, many of us genuinely look up to our mothers, and I am no exception. I have always admired my mother’s strength, independence, and friendliness and have strived to embody these qualities. While I may have inherited some “odd” traits from her, there is no denying that she is the toughest person I have ever known, and I am proud to have been raised by a mother like her. 

Fun fact: My mom was surprised that she was expecting a baby in her early 40s. It was unexpected, but it happened. And now, I’m here! There’s no doubt that a mother faces tough challenges when her daughter enters her teenage years, and I am living proof of that. I used to ask for many things from my mother because I was envious of my classmates for having trendy items. I remember instances when I would cry because I couldn’t have something for Christmas since it was too expensive, or my parents wouldn’t let me attend a friend’s birthday party. Looking back, I realize how stubborn I was, and I now see how hard my mother worked. I should have been more content with the things I was given. 

“She may not be aware of it, but I aspire to be like her.”

I am immensely proud of my mother. She is the hardest-working person I know. Despite not holding high positions, my parents managed to send us to private schools. However, my father retired early, leaving my mother to support our education. We worked hard, received awards, and even managed to attend universities. Despite the expensive tuition fees, my mother worked tirelessly at the hospital, often working long hours. She continues to display remarkable strength. Despite her cheerful demeanor, I could see her hidden disappointment and the times she cried silently. I remember one incident when I failed a subject and had to retake it to graduate on time. When I hesitated to tell her about the expensive tuition fee, she comforted me and encouraged me to study harder. Her response moved me to tears. Despite this, I still feel sorry for letting my mother down. As a grade-conscious student, getting a grade that fell short of expectations was disappointing on multiple levels – physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

My mom is incredibly supportive. It’s a real source of pride for me that my mother is the most supportive person. She’s always cheering for me whenever I attend concerts, participate in competitions, and even when I become part of the editorial board! My mother even asked my sister and me to send her a video of us at every concert just so she could post it on her Facebook page. She posts everything, even our photos, in front of the venue! During the 21st Word Cup Journalism Conference, I made sure to keep her in the loop by sending her photos of our hotel and the event venue. She was thrilled to receive the materials from the event, especially when she found out that I won two medals in two different competitions.  

Throughout our arguments, I always emphasized my mother’s profound impact on my life. She continuously reminded us to prioritize our safety, never let the men I encountered fool us, and consistently checked in on my well-being and academic progress, as well as my siblings, who now have families of their own. 

I find myself feeling envious of my siblings because they have the financial means to purchase gifts for our mother on Mother’s Day. Meanwhile, here I am, attempting to express my gratitude through a heartfelt message. As I reflect on my words, I realize that I may have missed some important points about our lives, and my writing is kind of rocky.  Nonetheless, I believe that my tribute adequately fulfills the responsibility. As the youngest sibling, set to graduate this August, I am deeply grateful for my mother’s support, and I will always cherish the special bond between us, even as I prepare to move out soon. 

Mom, next time you post a picture of me on Facebook, it will be of me wearing a toga at PICC. All your hard work has paid off. Being a mother is no easy task; it takes a lot of sweat and tears, especially raising three children. To my parents, thank you for everything because now I can stand alone. You may see me again pursuing that MD, hopefully, or RPm. I hope you continue to support my decisions. Thank you, Mom and Dad! 

Now, I can confirm what Rory said. My mother has been my guiding light from childhood to adulthood. She may not be aware of it, but I aspire to be like her. She truly is my role model. 

Email me at thebedan_fcreditor@sanbeda.edu.ph