By
“Some people dare to dream only for themselves. Mama dared to dream for the benefit of others. Mama willingly shared what she had and made others better off.”
First life lesson: Be Enthusiastic
Second life lesson: Pursue Your Priorities
When she got married, she committed
to raise her family the best way she could. Mama was always willing to provide
her precious time. We prayed, went to church, and had fun together as a family.
Many times, she had to swallow her pride just to borrow Boy Scout uniform or
rent formal attire so we could participate in school programs.
Third life lesson: Develop a Strong Focus
Mama worked hard. She used to
wake up early (around 5 AM) despite going to bed late (around 1 or 2 AM) to prepare
the store for the day. Aside from her day job as a teacher, she was a full-time
businesswoman in the evenings. She took care of her small restaurant and
barbershop after work. On school days, I saw her rush to work not just with a
lesson plan but also with products in tow. Through hard work and focus, Mama
and Papa expanded their farm and grew their small business.
Fourth life lesson: Establish Your Integrity
Mama’s fellow teachers and
friends talked about her integrity. Her words were consistently followed by
appropriate actions. In short, her words were her actions and vice versa. No
wonder, she gained the trust of her friends, relatives, and customers.
Fifth life lesson: Believe in Your Abilities
Mama made us believe that we
could achieve our goals. I was only ten years old when she would announce to everyone
how “intelligent” my siblings and I were. Mama was always proud of us. She
valued us. She often reminded us that we had a bright future. Because of her unceasing
praise and positive expectations, we have confidence and strong belief in
ourselves.
Sixth life lesson: Practice Self-Reflection
As a teenager, I used to share with
her my unconventional ideas about morality, religion, and politics. Instead of
making comments, she would listen intently and made sure she understood me. Even
during those times when I made mistakes, she never argued nor gave advice.
Seventh life lesson: Be Generous
Mama epitomizes a life of
generosity. She gave even if she had little. I remember as a young boy when she
had to borrow money so she could give to a relative or a close friend who needed
urgent help. In addition, she sent some of our relatives’ kids to school. She
liked to help because she experienced the harsh reality of poverty when she was
young. It was this profound sensitivity that endeared her to the hearts of
others.
Eighth life lesson: Have Faith
Like any person who dealt with family
problems, she suffered from sleepless nights and emotional pain. During
challenging times, her only refuge was prayer. I saw her endure from many
ordeals. She wept and lost weight. And yet through prayers, she maintained her equanimity
and survived the worst storms in her life.