A Daughter’s Discovery
"I realize now that my resilience was due to my mother’s perseverance in instilling in us the importance of faith and prayer."
My mother was the dominant type: strict, conservative, and very religious. My father was the opposite: a quiet, lenient, happy-go-lucky, but caring man. Together, they raised a big family: four daughters and a son. I am one of the four.
The Target
Being the second to the youngest, I was under intense pressure to abide by her rules. That entailed performing household chores, helping out in our family business, adhering to curfews, memorizing the rosary, going to church, and attending prayer meetings. The religious activities were obligatory. I engaged in them against my will.
Asking permission to go out was not my thing. Still, this affected my social life. Outings with friends were limited. Sometimes, none at all. Worse, my mother’s constant nagging riled on our nerves. It went on and on, from breakfast to dinner to midnight snacks.
The Realization
It was only when I left home to work in the Middle East that I realized the significance of her nagging. While in Saudi Arabia, my faith and patience were tested. I endured many years of hard work there. I realize now that my resilience was due to my mother’s perseverance in instilling in us the importance of faith and prayer.
So when she passed away due to cancer, I felt lost. I had always depended on my mother in all my life decisions. She was a big influence in everything I did.
I now understand that it may have been hard for her to outwardly express her love for us. And she was difficult to deal with at times. But one thing’s for sure: up until her last breath, her only concern was our welfare.
I miss her so much.
Photo credit: Jeremy Bishop
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