Inang: My Loving and Faithful Mother

22 July 1923 was the day when Consorcia S. Maristanez was born. She was the eldest of three female siblings. She grew up from a poor family. She wanted to study but her parents cannot afford her to send to school. When she lost her parents, she lived with her uncle. She expressed her desire to study but she was ignored.

Growing up, she experienced a lot of pain, suffering, deprivation, and humiliation. She was treated like a domestic helper by her uncle. One day, she was crying like a child because she wanted something but they care less for her. She locked up herself in a little room full of rice sacks and she held herself up for long hours despite the extreme heat because of self pity and embarrassment. While she was eating, the wife of her uncle would fiercely look at her like she wanted to devour her. Helpless as she was, she continued eating while tears were effortlessly running down from her eyes. Because of the malevolent treatment she received from them, she begged for money like a mendicant on the street just to provide for her personal needs.

If she was only given a chance to study, she would have become one if not the most intelligent student in her class. She only finished Grade 3 but she was very good in numbers and at the same time so confident and smart to speak English. She would not feel shy to talk to anyone regardless of their status in life. She would usually utter the words, “How I wish I could have finished my studies and I would definitely have done well in school.” With her unfulfilled dreams, she did everything as a mother to provide for her seven children and she was able to send them all to school from her meager earning as balut (egg) vendor. All her children finished their studies through her hardwork, patience and, perseverance. She was able to prove herself that she is indeed an intelligent person because of what she accomplished for her children.

Loving and faithful as she was, she trusted her relatives that they would give her fair share of an ancestral land where she grew up and raised up her children since the beginning. However, for some clandestine reason, she was again deprived of her legal right. She begged to her relatives but they were just too greedy and selfish to listen to her humble request. Despite of it, she still lifted up everything to God and prayed for her relatives. She was able to do it even though she was hurting and grieving.

She may have lived from a very poor family but her values as a human being was far beyond compare because she never allowed herself to hate and curse the people who deprived her of what was due her. She is one of the most loving, forgiving, accepting, and God-loving mother in the world.

Inang, I tried my best to be a good son because of you and I am trying hard to be a kind brother and person because of everything that you have taught me. I terribly miss your presence and there is no single day that I think of you and pray for you. Honestly, I don’t know anymore the feeling of celebrating Mother’s Day because you are not with me anymore. How can I greet you and give you my sweetest hugs and kisses if you are not here with me.

Inang, because of your personal history I realized and learned a lot of good things in life. I will always remember, treasure, and try to live by it as I continue to live a good life. One thing you always tell me is to take care of my relationship with people. I believe that I am doing that especially now that I live away from my siblings in the Philippines. Also, I remember and miss the time we would pray the rosary together at 3:00 o’clock in the morning. You never get tired of doing it everyday.

Inang, I know God has read my blog about you. I beg of Him to have mercy and grant my only request. And that is to see you one day in heaven and still feel your genuine love and affection as I sing you songs which we would usually do at home.

Inang, I still grieve and even crying right now while writing this blog because I miss you more than heart and mind can comprehend. You don’t have any idea at all how it feels to lose you and see you passed away last 27 July 2010. I hope that you would visit me even in my dreams. I am sorry if I have not been kind to you all the time as your son. Since the day I was born, I knew that you are my inspiration. But sometimes I feel that life is meaningless because you are not here anymore.

Inang, I know that you are now celebrating this especial day with God, Mama Mary, Lola Ana, and all the angels and saints in heaven. Please send my warmest regards to all of them.

Inang, I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH AND I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET YOU. You will always be in my mind and in my heart until the last day of my life. See you again Inang.