Happy 61st Birthday, Mama!
2002 was the last time we celebrated Mama's birthday. It was just a simple celebration as far as I can recall. We didn't go out. Mama was not that strong anymore. I think I ordered Max's for the occasion. I also think that my brother called from the U.S. to greet Mama.
Walang paltos every year, I have a greeting card for mama. Even if I have some food which I bought to celebrate the occasion, there's always a greeting card for mama. When I was younger, papa would always take mama out to dinner to celebrate her birthday. But there were many times that mama was left to her own devices (like me and my brother) since papa was busy with work (papa even forgot her birthday not only once). When I started earning, there was still the greeting card. But I also buy food to celebrate mama's birthday.
I think there was one birthday of mama's when we both went out to Sta. Lucia. I can't remember what year, but we went windowshopping and had lunch at the mall. Mama was happy that she was walking around the mall, checking out the latest clothes that struck her fancy. She knew how to text so she said that I can leave her be and she'll just text me if she's tired or if she needs me. So I leave her be. But I usually check on her after thirty minutes or so just to be sure she's fine by herself.
Sometimes, mama would ask me to buy her chicharong bituka while roaming around the mall. Which I happily did. Although I usually tell her that it's not good for her, I still buy her chicharong bituka. Why would I deprive her of her simple joys?
My fondest memories of her though wasn't her birthday celebrations. It was
those spontaneous moments when she'd ask me to go out with her and go malling or have dinner in a posh restaurant. Those were the times that she can be herself. Enjoying every moment out of the house, trying out clothes, jewelry, eating her chicharong bituka or ice cream. I think she felt young again.
Moments where she'd talk about how she and papa met, her good times and bad times with papa. Moments where she'd listen to me hack it out on the keyboard when she would ask me to play something for her. Moments where she'd sing to me. Yes, mama sang for me. She sang to me a song which she had learned when she was young and thought of passing that song to me--The Best Things in Life Are Free.
God, I miss mama!
Mama also gave me a very good scare on one occasion. I was so intent reading a Stephen King book when she barged into my room to ask for something. I was so surprised that I cried "AAAAAHHHHH!" I told her not to do that again, to which she laughed heartily. (Yes, I inherited that hearty laughter from my mom.) She chided me, saying, "that's what you get from reading horror."
Fun moments with mama makes my heart ache. It makes me wish that she's still with us. But I know that she's in a better place now.
Happy 61st birthday, mama!
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