Kidapawan Post No. 1: The most beautiful woman

Ten days ago, we quietly celebrated the sixty-fifth birthday of this very special woman. My hero in this world where real virtues and high ideals have slowly lost their meaning.

In her youth, that captivating beauty belied a life of deprivation. Her quiet perseverance, intelligence, and elegance made her taller than any young woman worth her silver spoon… charmed many and fell for another charmer…

She is a woman of her generation—fiercely loyal to her family, loves unconditionally, hardworking, and sacrificing. Her charity is legendary. Nothing for herself, always for others… And thus, we grew up without the usual comforts. I still remember how we used to recycle old notebooks from her writing classes, carefully choosing the clean pages, binding them together and covering them with artworks—just like new and yet, much better. I never felt we had less in life because she was good in making us understand we should only have what is necessary.

No provocation demands her speaking ill of anybody—a sigh and a wistful look, that’s all you get. Small talk and gossip were not allowed at home and if guests started some yarn, her silence is a kind rebuke.

In my father’s twilight years, he sang her many songs… songs of gentle pleadings… of forgiving and forgetting heartaches from the past… adoring songs for his true muse.

A brave cancer survivor, her peaceful demeanor can only come from a deep understanding of life and an indomitable faith in her Maker’s plans. She has been guiding us with wisdom and gifted us with a “sense of rooted-ness” to simple values that have served as our anchor amidst the vicissitudes of life.

My Mom is one amazing woman. My one true north.

Cause your love is like a river
It runs through my heart and soul
It's deep when I'm thirsty and warm when I'm cold
And when I feel forgotten
I come running to your shore
And find peace of mind time after time
You give me everything and more

--Everything and More, Barry Gillman