To the most courageous woman I know,

First, I wanted to write this letter because I know words have their healing power. It could cure loneliness and your longing to be home. Somehow, I want to write this letter because I wanted you to have something to read when you feel like you missed us being around and if you wanted to just fill your hearts with a lighter dose of how we love you. But honestly, I know words will never be enough to express how much I appreciate you. It runs short when it comes to how grateful we are to have you as our mother. Indeed, I feel God’s love and caring because He gave us a mother who has always been generous and selfless. You gave me unconditional love that also taught me the right ways on how to become a mother myself. You inspired me in so many ways, how you never limit yourself when it’s us who are included in the equation.

Ever since I was a kid, your love for us comes immeasurable and in everything you do, you take us as your inspiration to surpass another tough day. You think about our welfare and future and made sure we are able to get what you think we deserve. You never wanted to go on a day thinking we’re not having enough. You always give too much without asking anything in return. You wanted us to have a convenient life, the kind of life that is both comfortable but also giving us enough space to grow and work things at our pace. A life that’s full of comfort but also taught us how to appreciate every crumb of blessing. You are strong enough for choosing to sacrifice staying here with us and watch us grow personally because you know we need financial support. You embraced the consequences of knowing you won’t be here on some of the best occasions of our lives yet you made sure that we are happy, full, and blessed enough. It’s because of your hard work and your sacrifice.

I know life there was never easy. And that after all, you dealt with different kinds of struggles you refused to share with us because you don’t want us to carry some of your burdens. But we know so well how much you wanted to stay your years here with us, be part of our everyday routine and see your grandchildren grow. Still, we make sure they remember you and know every detail of how wonderful you are as a mother to us. They might not fully grasp what we truly mean but they listen and from there, we are assured that we have carved a special place for you in our children’s hearts.

We love you so much. Please remember how much I love you to the point that it will also shove away your loneliness.  Love you, Ma.

Dear Ayeko,

Today’s your birthday and yet, every single day we receive daily gifts through your presence. The day I gave birth to you was one of the happiest days of my life, for you had opened so many doors for me to see, feel, learn and explore. For now, all I have are words that will preserve this certain memory to remind you about this certain phase of yourself. A part of your sweet innocence and natural humor, your tender appreciation for a small matter, the way you see the world through your virtue. I want you to soon look back into this day when you’re able to understand how the real world works. I want my words to remind you about love and life and about how much you mean to us.

Somehow, every time I look at you, I can’t help but see myself in you. The resemblances hold so much about our similarities, indeed you’re the small version of me. Your laughter has always been contagious that it ended up making everyone fall into your softness. The way you make people laugh so hard as well because of your natural humor and the way you insist on yourself when you needed or wanted something is all gathered to remind me that you hold so much of me in you. The way you planted positivity in all corners of our home gave us new tomorrows to get excitedly tackle with. I remember myself in your eyes, the way you smile, and the way you find ways to meet your wants. Somehow, they all brought me closer to the satisfaction of being a mother, that I found my soul purpose in this world. I remember how I gave birth to you that exact mother’s day, my first mother's day, how at that exact moment, I knew I wanted to be the best one.

You are indeed the best prologue that we had always been thankful for writing, the way we realized how the combination of me and your father’s name suited you so well. You are our kind, our granted wish. You’re the answered prayer, the happy pill, the best part of the day. Always the blessing that we are grateful for having.

And I promise that as you grow up, God willing, me, Tatay and Wawa will stay by your side. We will never restrict you from pursuing your dreams. We will remind you that it’s okay to feel weak sometimes, that there are bad days you are allowed to cry. That you could be weak and unproductive on some nights. That it’s okay to be imperfect. We will not sugarcoat the reality of life for we know you both needed bad and good days to learn, that we believe in you and you could always make it. I want you to know that who you choose to be will be accepted, including your dreams, and your chosen passion.

But for now, I want you to enjoy your age, your petty needs, and how uncomplicated life is. I want you to enjoy every stage of your life. I want you to capture every process of your nurturing, how your radiance brought our family closer to each other and closer to God. Happiest birthday, my Hariell Dan Apollos 3MP. Let’s make the best of everything. We are always here for you, in every step of the way. You always have us to give you the best love that you deserve.

Love forever, Nanay, Tatay and Zeo 

On Your 8th

To our Awesome HARIELL







Happiness found me the very first day I set eyes on you.
From that moment, becoming a mother felt blessedly brand new.
You’re too fragile to hold at that time yet you took away all of our blues.
You brought colors into our lives, and all of our wishes come true.
 

As you slowly grow up, I had seen the best parts of me.
The part of me that has unspoken courage as I should be
A part of me that became so hardworking and felt so carefree.
A part of me gets excited to share another morning where all of us could see.
 
Reminiscing all the passing years since you brought colors to our home.
We are enthralled to watch all of your learning steps and how you’ve grown.
And as your parents, we want to make sure we provide you the best safe zones.
And in every journey you take, you’ll be reminded that you don’t face struggles all alone.
 
It still felt like yesterday, how you were once a baby I cradle on my arms.
Now you turned eight and all you brought to us were your kindness and charm.
On our troubled days, you became the light and calm.
We are thankful to have you and with us, you’ll stay safe and unharmed.
 
Everything that you do, made us truly happy.
The way you make people laugh and merry
All the jokes and wit at your age made us all eager and ready.
You brought sunshine in this home where love and joy remained steady.
 
Love will never run insufficient and you’ll grow up free for it to express.
We will watch every ladder you climb, each failure, and progress.
We will be here to cheer the loudest for the anticipated success.
When it comes to love, we will make sure you’ll never get less.
 

Let’s take every year slow, and we will stand guard over your dreams.
We will have the heart to listen and help you build your self-esteem.
We will remain as someone whom you could trust and will give you what you need.
We love you our little sunshine, you and Zeo are the best gifts that we ever received.