“Mader”, that is how I fondly call my Mom…from the word “mother”. I am currently in Iligan City to join our High School Reunion. I sneaked for a while and, together with my siblings, visited Mama Nene’s grave early morning of Saturday, a day before Mothers Day.
Nice memorial park…nature-rich…full of trees…overlooking Iligan Bay. I can’t help but thank God for the gift of nature and the privilege of having Papa Maning and Mama Nene interred here at Maria Cristina Gardens.
Maria Cristina Gardens, overlooking Iligan Bay
We enjoyed a native breakfast here while reminiscing our fun moments with our late parents. Papa Maning and Mama Nene were among the victims of killer typhoon Sendong.
As early as Friday, members of our clan -especially the grandchildren- already shared fun memories on what Mama Nene used to do during Mothers Day.
She’ll order lots of “suman”, a native delicacy, and distribute to her children and friends. I and my siblings never forget to give her an early Mothers Day greeting call. Flowers and cakes flood… and of course CASH gift…small-medium-large in amount. Michelle, one of her granddaughters, never missed to give her a flower arrangement during this special day.
Recollecting what she usually do with the money she received made us cry. Rachelle, a granddaughter who grew with Mama Nene and Papa Maning , shared that Mama Nene will immediately go to the wet market and stuff their refrigerator with one week provision. But those stuff won’t last that long because she will share these stuff NOT ONLY with her children BUT ALSO with her cell group members and others.
Yes, Mama Nene was VERY GENEROUS, a character she will always be remembered of not only by us, her children, but also by her relatives and friends. She was always willing to share her last rice and her last P20.00 to whoever comes to ask for help. Papa Maning was at first adverse to this kind of generosity, but eventually learned to appreciate this trait of Mama.
I thank God for my generous Mader and I thank Him for the blessing of enjoying the gift of nature even in times of visiting dear loved ones who went ahead of us.
–myong
myongandthegiftofnature 