The night sky was clear that night I was on the bus waving good bye to my mother. Aboard the bus with me were my father, my cousin, my two younger brothers, Peegee who was 7, Felix who was 6, and my sister April who was only three months old. I was 8.  Looking by the window, I saw her face as she stood still, not smiling nor crying, watching us. My father told me that we were going to my grandmother's house to live there but my mother had to go somewhere first.

That was the night our family had to spend the rest of our ten years separated from her. My mother was leaving us to work abroad.

I did not know then how significant that vivid moment was, but I do know now. That night was a life changing moment for all of us. To grow without a mother was hard, for my father to live his life without his beloved wife was suffering. For my mother to live everyday without being able to hold us, comfort us, feel us --- was sacrificial.


Happy Mother's Day my ever dearest Mama. Know that I love and cherish you ever so dearly. You are my inspiration and role model --- our own "architect of change", strong willed and kind-hearted. Thank you for all your everyday acts of love, from the tiniest to the grandest. There is no other mother best for me than you.

I love you so much.