To The One Who Gave Me Life

(a speech)

When someone asks me to choose between my mother and my father

I would always say, "Of course, I'm choosing Papa!" Perhaps because I am
raised by my father since I was a month-old baby until I was seven. When my
father left to work abroad, my mother took full care of me and my other three
siblings. I was seven that time - I hate my Mama because she was totally
different from Papa, stricter and 'ALWAYS annoying' I would say. I never
appreciated her, not until the day I left home to study for college in Manila.
Indeed, it is true that our mothers give the warmest love and care which we
will always long for in our hearts.
Ma, now that I am living by my own, I realized how strong you are to
raise someone who is as secretive and independent-wanna be as me. Even if
you do not cook as good as Papa and Irish (my younger sister), now, I am
missing the different tastes and aromas you make every eating time. Even if I
love petting cats which you hate, you still love them the way I’m doing. All that
I am now is because of you - your annoying words, your sermons, and your
unexpected hugs of comfort whenever I cannot tell my burdens. Ma, I am
beyond and truly grateful for all the years you cherished and nurtured me. You
gave me such love that cannot ever be compared to any form of love anyone
may give. I appreciate you, and I cannot wait to show you the future I have
always dreamed for our family. Henceforth, a mother is a home we can
always go back to, even if we are lost or at our best. Advance happy birthday,
Mama - I am blissful and blessed to be born as your daughter.

“I affirm that I have not given or received any unauthorized help on this
assignment, and that this work is my own.”