A MOTHER’S THOUGHTS AMIDST THE COVID 19 CRISIS

There is no other love greater than that of a mother. This may be a cliché
to some but for a mother of four, it is an unquestionable truth.
It was in the middle of March this year when the quarantine for the
Covid19 outbreak was implemented. My son, who was in Manila to apply for a
job as a seafarer called me that he must come home before the lockdown. We
purchased a ticket scheduled March 13, 2020 but unfortunately, it was
rebooked to March 18, 2020 where his route is from Clark Airbase, Pampanga
to Cebu City. It was tedious and expensive because he had to stay in a hotel in
Clark to wait for his flight. By March 16, the quarantine for whole Luzon was
announced. All flights were cancelled and we were desperately panicking on
what to do and who to call.
There were so many things that crossed my mind that time. My husband
is in Mindanao for his work. I am left here with my three girls and my son is
stranded in Pampanga. We were used to be always together in times like this. I
remember the 2013 earthquake and the Yolanda deluge. I worry less when all
my children are with me. And now, in this the Covid19 quarantine, one of them
is away. My escalating wild ideas were uncontrollable. Where is he going to
stay in the whole quarantine period? What is going to happen to us? Will
everyone be infected? What if my son gets sick in Luzon? What if I get infected?
What will happen to my children? Will we die if we are confirmed positive? Is
this the end of the world or the beginning of the seven years tribulation? These
dreadful thoughts were horribly supported when I watched the news and
browsed over Facebook. All I could do at that time was pray – harder.
Then God answered my prayers when my son was rescued by my
husband’s company men. He was safely brought to their staff house in
Pampanga. It’s a relief but I realized a lot of things in this present crisis that we
are facing. We, mothers, have relevant roles in our situation today.
FRONTLINERS AND WARRIORS. Mothers are the first responders who
survey the needs of their families and communities that they would take the
risk of infection or danger just to make their families safe. They feed you when
you’re hungry, care for you when you’re sick, shelter you from the cold and
love you unconditionally. This is an enormous responsibility even during the
worst of times. Imagine caring for your children during a pandemic crisis or
disaster where there is no food or access to health care, with nothing more
than a tent to keep them safe. This is a nightmarish reality for mothers around
the world.
 Also, mothers are historically expected to contribute their whole lives to
their families. We are the glue that holds our families together because our love
and support are needed by our growing children. For mothers, the wellbeing of
our children is vital and this Covid19 crisis can cause intense worry that would
lead to stress, anxiety and even emotional instability.
PILLARS OF STRENGTH AND WISDOM. Crisis hit mothers the hardest.
With fewer resources and lack of safety net in a virus outbreak, chaos will
strike and they become targets for violence. But through it all, they still feel
that they must protect their children at all cost.
In my own experience, I would always call my mother those times when I
gave birth or when my children were sick. Now, my children would tell me their
problems and ask for advice in their studies or just about anything under the
sun. At times when they feel doubt and anxiety, they need me to say things
that would soothe and reassure their feelings. Mothers are deemed to be strong
and knowledgeable.
ROLE MODELS. Children look up to their mothers and they are the
most influential person in their lives. Mothers are live visual aids. Nobody is
perfect, though, but we must do our best to create a home filled with love and
hope. Children would love to stay home if the ambiance there meets his needs.
Amidst this Covid19 crisis, mothers have the unique privilege of creating
a place of peace for stressed - out family members by making their homes
warm and welcoming. We can foster an environment where family members
can communicate with respect and courtesy.
Right now, some of us mothers, might be there in the battlefield and
some might be in our homes but one thing is for sure, we are doing our best to
fight this crisis. We wear our weapons everyday as we struggle to protect our
loved ones: the cape of prayer, the lasso of courage and the sword of truth in
love
Cheer up, Mothers! WE ARE HEROES.

By:
Marlene Gallo Estorosas, MA English
Teacher 3 – Senior High School
Dr. Cecilio Putong National High School