SUPERWOMAN

Meet Digna.

She is 57 years old and a widow.

Her husband left her when all their children are already pursuing the outside world out of the confines of their home.

So timely that she did not have to think of school and household expenses, allowances and how to feed hungry mouths.

Digna met her Prince Charming when she was 22. 

Barrio girl Digna was smitten by a buoyant and persistent 29 year old man with an expensive smile, knelt on his knees to have the most sought 'yes' from her.

Rogelio, the prince charming, came from a well-off family with a promising business but due to circumstances, the business collapsed and left them empty handed.

They started their lives as a young couple when Digna turned 23. 

They lived  a simple life. 

They managed a humble beginning on their own.

They lived in a parcel of land favored by Rogelio's parents.

Their love blossomed and gave them 5 children, 3 princesses and 2 princes.

Having a big family had not faltered the couples faith to bridge the necessities to live. 

Digna handled the finances well.

Rogelio who had pursued to start his own business in the public market with a minimal capital had put enough food on the table.

He attended the business while Digna tended the kids.

Due to demand of the gradually growing business, Digna had also spared some time to help her husband.

The kids were left on their own.

Soon after Digna's siblings helped with watching the kids.

The couple had taught their kids to be self-reliant. 

Their kids went to school without school service or nanny to start with.

Family budget was so tight and primary goal was to feed seven mouths including some of the relatives.

Digna managed to squeeze finances well though she wasn't able to provide the whims of her children especially her girls.

With scarcity of resources, their children had finished schools with flying colors. 

Rogelio would always brag the achievements of her children.

Their 2nd and third children had to leave for college 4 hour drive away from home.

Digna was in deep financial debt without her husband's knowledge to support her children's collegiate needs.

Rogelio was so principled and proud that he had sent all five of his children to college with only his business to support to yet he was not aware that Digna had business on the sides.

Being a mother, Digna couldn't afford her children going to school with smiling shoes and torn bags contrary to her husband who only saw full plates and blinded with other stuff.

Digna was the ever present parent  during her children's school recognition and graduations.

Digna emerged as a strong woman. 

She would fight against what other people would say about her children.

She stood her ground well with full battle gears when her family's at stake.

Sometimes hearing her reason was not so cleverly spoken yet a very heroic remarks shielding her children.

They neglected the fact that as they were growing old, their children were also growing up.

They never thought that their children would someday leave their homes, would turn their backs and start a family of their own.

Soon enough, they were chasing grandchildren.

It shocked them at the beginning but the new addition to their family had given them a joy to behold in their ageing hearts.

As their children was busy growing up, they were already growing old and Rogelio, so robust and strong was hit by an illness that collapsed on the family.

Digna managed to stay strong and composed while tending her ailing prince charming.

Rogelio who had been a strength of the family, a pillar and a gem crumbling in her hold.

He had thrown unreasonable tantrums and irritable complains yet Digna paid him with patience, understanding and selfless devotion.

Their children saw all the drama.

The love of a wife to a sick husband.

For six months, Digna had forgotten herself yet she managed to be a double faced woman.

A wife and a mother.

While her children needed her to be supportive and strong, she coped with portrayal of such characters.

I am their 2nd child.

I saw how mama had been so strong despite her world was already collapsing on her feet.

I saw her consistently changing her disguise, from strong to supportive to super woman.

A daughter could not look up at any other woman with a mother filling all the blanks.

She didn't give me abundance yet that insufficiency taught me what I really need.

Strong-willed, supportive, selfless and devoted wife and mother.

A woman who offered her youth to her prince charming and her family.

I may have questioned her authority several times, compared her to some of the mothers I have known but being a mother myself now, I could attest that I have a very good mother.

Children might always neglect their mother's sacrifices while they are growing up but who she is will always reflect on what becomes of her children. 

A mother's love will always be our shining light that will guide us until that light will fade to its horizon.

Not everyone is given a chance to be a parent, but everyone is given a chance to experience a mother's love.

To my one and only SUPERWOMAN, Digna, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!