It was the heyday of the Beatles, 1964, my last pre-school year. I remember going to bed at night wondering whether my parents will still be around when I reach adulthood. I would lull myself to sleep cuddled next to Nanay's warm body. I felt safe and secure. What mother does not desire safety and security for her children? Thanks Nanay.

There's something about two-wheelers you did not like. You bought me a tricycle, but I had vague memories in pre-school. For my 7th birthday, I got a nice red shiny trolley. That's what it was called in my neighborhood. You know, kind of like the folding "Razor" two-wheeler kick scooter. That was the only two-wheeler you allowed me to have. You paid 20 or 25 pesos for it. There were 5 letter stickers in front of it: "R I C K Y" going downwards. It had the multicolored plastic frills at the end of the handle bars that flies against the wind. No bicycles. No motorcycles, until today. By the way, Nanay, I think Tatay would be really happy if you bought Bojet and me a Harley Davidson motorbike. Hello? Hello? Hello? She hung up. No two wheelers for me. You're still overprotective of me.  What mother does not protect her children as much as possible? Thanks Nanay.

When our next door neighbor moved in with a real piano, I wanted one too. You bought me a xylophone one Christmas and a battery operated organ with colorful keys the following year. I was in second grade when I came home one afternoon to find a shiny dark wood piano - spanking brand new. For the first time, I became aware that my siblings were saying how much better we have it than during their time. I took it for granted. Looking back, I realize I am so blessed. Have I thanked you for the free piano lessons? They were free for me, but you paid the music teacher. What mother would not practice a little extravagance if the means were there to do so? Thanks Nanay.

You sent us to a private school. That shaped who I am today. You modeled the importance of a close devotion to God by insisting we go to church regularly and praying daily. That's when I began to look up to my teachers and especially the nuns in the school campus and the priests in our parish. I was merely 4 years old when I knew I did not want to go to hell. You stopped me from entering the priesthood at 12. You recommended I get married first before answering God's call. I did. Now, I'm writing this tribute to you, still a pastor, in awe of God's kindness to me and to our family. What mother would not point her children to the most important love of all (love for God) and that to a spouse - second only to one's love for God? Thanks Nanay.

You and Tatay (Dad) bought me my first decent car - a nice blue 1978 Honda Civic. You got tired of that and insisted on a newer one. You helped me get the vehicle with the blue and white logo, except that it has four wheels instead of two; and our family has always kept one ever since. When the handheld devices / personal organizers came out, you bought me a Palm Pilot. My very first ever laptop computer still runs today. It's obsolete, but it still hums. That too was a gift from you. While I am going public with my tribute to you, there were two more pianos and one guitar in my adult years that became mine as your gifts to me. I twisted your arm. You gave in as any mother would. What mother would not be so generous (even if generosity may be harder for some) if it would be for the best of her children? Thanks Nanay.

I know you'd do anything for your children. You'd have us all live with you, spouses and grandchildren and great grandchildren - if you had your way. But you learned over the years, that you raised us to stand on our own and love our spouses and raise our kids and our own family. I'm proud of how a woman, who is perennially scared to be alone, would brave it solo in your own apartment since you turned 82. You've had 3 whole birthdays since. My fear of whether or not you would still be around in my adult years no longer grips me. Your grandchildren are all adults now too. We have God to thank for the long and full life He has granted you until now. For diligently taking your meds and looking after yourself and enduring all the needles which you hate so much and for having the will to live in my and your grandkids' adult years. Even for moms who are no longer with us, I'm sure they'd all stick around longer should the good Lord allow it, if only to spend one more moment with their beloved. What mother would not do anything, yes anything, for her children? Thanks Nanay.

Happy Birthday and Happy Mother's Day - Nanay.

ricky p. mapa