Thursday, October 16, 2008

Never Too Old...

I got sick recently. With the number of bienvenida meals I ate my way through when I visited Davao, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that my tummy went on a gastric strike! So there I was on my last day home in Davao, horizontal and having to cancel three more bienvenida eat outs, and the all-important date with my favorite hairdresser.

The gastric pains woke me up in the wee hours and had me groping in the darkness of my mom’s house for the medicine box where different meds where neatly labeled and contained in different plastic packets. As I chewed on an antacid and got back to bed, I had to resist the temptation to crawl into bed with my mom---and wake her up to tell her I was sick.

I wondered about that.

Having already taken an antacid, what was the point of waking my mom up? What did I expect her to do anyway? She ain’t no doctor—-neither is she a miracle worker.

Late that morning, my stomach still thumping painfully on all sides, I moaned to my mom, “I’m sick. I just took an antacid.” She looked at me and said, “Oh, okey.” I felt a bit let down—and then I thought, what did I expect? I already told her I took an antacid, so that means it is being taken care of, doesn’t it?

I have been sick many times, and usually there was no mom around since I’ve been away from home most of my life. I’ve coped with it well enough and only very occasionally with self-pity.

Yet the mere fact that mom was nearby seemed to change my whole psyche—and I guess for someone my age—(shhh..don’t ask!)it is as surprising as it is strange! I was going to say pathetic, but I don’t see how wishing for a mother’s TLC could be pathetic. Come to think of it, it's probably one of the most natural things in the world, now having said that—I guess the other times when I have coped easily without crying out for my mom must probably be the more strange and surprising thing!

For the record, my mom didn’t fuss over me, she never does, all she did was nod to affirm that I did the right thing by taking an antacid. I guess that was all I needed. I guess what mattered most to me then was her presence. It was enough to help ease some of the pain—even if it is more psychologically than actually.

What power a mother holds. Come to think of it, moms are miracle workers in their own way!

**Sorry blogpals for being amiss in going about my blog rounds...been travelling again and internet availability is intermittent..I wrote this one yesterday, during a mind-numbing, wifi-less, seven-hour wait at an airport...

11 comments:

carlotta1924 said...

ahh, moms. kahit gaano o hindi gaano sila mag-fuss over sila parin talaga ang takbuhan natin. i agree, one's never too old to call on mom for comfort. :D

Anonymous said...

no matter how independent we become or how strong our personality is, there's always that soft spot that longs for TLC, masarap pa rin pag bine-baby. :D

Anonymous said...

Hey I relate even at my age!! Hope you are writing like mad and being inspired every moment of the workshop. And I pray your stomach is enjoying the C/Mai delicacies! If poss can you get the blue silk tie for Matt for us. If time lang. thanks!

Forever59er said...

Your mom must be used to the no-nonsense,independent gypsy that she has had the luck to be her daughter. That's why she didn't fawn over you.

Yup. At my age,I still say "mama ko,mama ko" when in pain. Including labor pains. :)

niceheart said...

When any one of the kids is sick, and I'm also feeling a bit under the weather, I will say, I also want my mommy. Once, one of the boys said, but you don't have a mommy. Of course, I have a mommy, I said. Your lola is my mommy. I guess sometimes they don't realize that. he he he.

Well, anyway, I hope you're feeling a lot better now.

Wil said...

Too much eating can definitely ruin your stomach. hehe. That's why I rarely go to buffets now.

My mom's also doesn't make a fuss about things... as long as I've already done what is required to get me well or what-have-you.

Anonymous said...

well, moms really do wonders. even then, taking note of what you eat is a must.

vernaloo said...

Mama still fusses over me everytime I go home. I kinda like it especially that I get that treatment once a year only.

When I was still in Manila everytime I get sick, I always wished my parents are there to take care of me...mostly to prepare my food because it sucks to cook when you're sick...

now I miss home :)

Abaniko said...

Be grateful that at least your mom didn't start a tirade on your being "careless" with what you eat. Hehe. Enjoy China!

Gypsy said...

Hey guys
Thanks for the comments! It's great to know we all feel the same way--even the mothers among us!! :)

ipanema said...

sorry to read that you've been ill. but it seems like your tummy is adjusting. :)

take care! :)