Passionately M

We have been all there. You share a personal struggle, a moment of vulnerability, and everything is met with a dismissive, " Lighten up! I found it funny." It stings. This flippant response, often phrased as, "You found it offensive? I found it funny. That's why I'm happier than you" might seem harmless, but it reflects a lack of empathy -- the cornerstone of strong relationships and genuine happiness. The bad thing is -- if it came from your own family member -- my dear son -- 'my sun, my moon, my stars and everything in between' . Maybe he was just trying to convert the sad mood to happy mood; on the contrary, it made me sadder. I thought he knew me. Comforting myself, yes, I knew him -- he used to crack jokes, make us smile, laugh; for some time he even played as a stand-up comedian.  I have been in down mood for some time. Deep sorrow has seemed to wrap and squeeze me  tightly for some weeks. Things have been overwhelming that I have felt I have ...

I am deeply touched by an old woman's message to her children who are now having some business and personal conflicts. As a mother, I can tell that this really, really hurts. Sharing with you a copy of that message. I will just change the names here. --- I am deeply saddened that my son, Romeo, would counter all my statements in public rather than visit me at my house. It only shows how he regards me as his mother. I have invited you, Edna, Casey, and Rustom to my house to discuss this problem as a family but instead, you are lecturing me about matters discussed in the Family Constitution. My son, you don't have to remind me of those things. I am fully aware of what transpired in those meetings. You are so candid in telling your story to the public, giving credit only to your late father. Have you forgotten that I was a part of your father's achievements? That we hurdled all difficulties when we first started our business? Have you forgotten the contributions ...

The above Victorian painting which shows a mother busy hanging clothes while the daughter plays on the ground reminds me of the same scenario in the '90s. I have three (3) children, boy-girl-girl, with the age gaps of 1 1/2 and one (1) year, respectively. When my youngest girl could not still walk by herself, I used to let her sit on a bilao (winnowing large round bamboo-woven flat tray utilized for removing rice chaff) then gave her some moringa leaves so she would be busy while I was hanging clothes. I wanted that she would be near me while her elder brother and sister were playing also close to me, to make sure that they would be safe. From the moment that a mother knows that she carries her baby in her womb up to the time of raising him/her and beyond, she will do a lot of sacrifices to make her child happy and free from all kinds of harms, even bite of mosquitoes.  If there is only a little food on the table, she would give it to her child and forget the hunger. Even he...