What Motherhood Means to Me

At hand is another ‘Mother’s Day’ to celebrate.  My thoughts travelled fast as I thought of the past fifteen years in my daughter’s life.  Just like any other 'mudra', I love bringing back the memories of motherhood, watching my daughter progress in the different stages of her existence.

Infancy and childhood years had passed. Teenage life came in.  What could be more exciting part of motherhood than seeing your child’s transition to adolescence?

As a child, she loved kiddie books, cartoon movies and her portable music player.  She said goodbye to them when she chose to buy music magazines, watch teen films, admire the guys and music of One Direction and tune in to MYXX or download the latest music and dance craze of her generation via the internet.  She loves dancing, but explores more on her love for music through singing and playing different musical instruments.  In all these, I have to give her my support.

In her infancy, Bea used to crawl like a mermaid pulling herself by the seashore.  She later walked with assistance until she eventually learned to walk on her own. At her teens, she had to bid goodbye to learn going places confidently with friends.  I became second choice to the company of her peers.  I have to keep her protected through unceasing prayers that she will always be safe wherever she goes.

She gave away some kiddie toys, girly dresses and shoes the past years to share her stuff to younger kids.  A lot of shirts, shorts, and jeans then became her closet staples.  While her pleasure as a child was the company of her toys, she now finds delight with her own dresser filled with scents, combs, accessories and gadgets.  Her love for fabric dogs has turned to finding joy on ‘Bubbles’ and ‘Pinky’, real puppies that we both take care of.

Crushes and admirers - they are many of them already, but how can I forget her very first crush, Gerald Anderson when she was only 8 years of age?  Yes, we talk a lot about boys.  She keeps different secrets with different friends, but there are certain issues she can bravely speak about to no one but me.  We have our own girl talks as mother and daughter.  I’m just grateful that I am here to answer her teen issues using Biblical teachings and real-life situations, including questions on love, sex, courtship, dating and marriage.

More changes will come in her remaining teen years, changes that are surely no different from what other teens her age go through. I have to keep the faith that there is always a loving God who shields her as she goes out of her cocoon like a caterpillar blossoming to be a lovely butterfly.  As a mom, my love will allow her to shine and soar to reach her dreams.  Being here to guide and watch my daughter gracefully transform in life spells the real essence of motherhood.