Contest: Honor Mom at Steeming Community: My Mom, My Hero

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Who is that one person who molded you? Do you have anyone in your life that you value the most? Who do idolize the most?

These questions for me would have the same answer. Let me share to you why my mother is the most important person in the world.

My mom got married at an early age just like any common Filipina way back, she didn't finish school and had children. All her married life she depended on my father, until she have come to realize that she no longer want to wait to be given money. She wanted to earn and do something for the family. She went back to school, sold the land she inherited and work hard by selling anything to support her studies. My father was against it so she didn't ask even a single centavo. To make the story short my mom became a public school teacher at the age of 38. Pretty late but it's better late than never right. And there's never a right and wrong timing in Achieving something.

At a young age slowly I have noticed that my mom and dads relationship was falling apart. They would fight almost everyday, throwing things at each other and saying hurtful words. My dad would go home drunk and my mom would nag him for it. Until one day silence came, there were no fights, arguments and cursing. My mom had stopped minding my dad, and there I knew we had no longer need to make my father a part of our family. He left when I was 10, he didn't clearly say if he was leaving for good or he was just going somewhere.

We had a tough time, he had sold our house and we were asked to leave. His family, his five children left with no house to live in. My mom stood still and raised us. With the salary she had as a public school teacher she was able to make things possible. She cries secretly and pray at dawn. I saw all her pain but she never let us feel it. She was tough at raising us but it was something we appreciate now. My mom, my Nanay didn't give up on us. She was mocked by her very little salary because she had to borrow money in some banks and lending institutions. But Nanay never felt shy, she was able to raise 2 Seafarer, 1 Chef, 1 Engineer and me a teacher.

My Nanay is my idol, overcoming all the struggles she had faced and being able to survive all the criticisms she faced is something I look up to. The reason I am very optimistic with life because it is how my Nanay raised me. She taught me that you have to be strong in order to survive, do not let your problems control you but you control your problem. All those things shall pass.

Actually I haven't really cooked much for my nanay, but we go to restaurants all the time. Now that she's older she can't really enjoy the food well. But she sure likes seafood so much. She loves shrimp and squid. We had a lot of special moments together, I would always visit her every weekend and hang out. She is cool but at the same time strict. Although as a child I see her as a tiger because of her tough love she is actually a sheep by heart.

Lessons taught by her will always be remembered. Sermons and nagging will echo to my head. But one thing's for sure they were said for me to ponder. What are your memories of your mom? Share it with us!