Kwentong Nanay: What You Won’t Do for Love

Why do you do it?

I’ve been asked many times. The question is harder to answer than it seems. Sometimes I don’t even know why I give up so much for my family. Of course there is the “I do it for love” angle but I know it is more than that.

We enter this world fragile and dependent to our parents. Every day I take care of my kids, it gives me great joy to be able to give them a piece of me with each diaper changed, each cookie shared, each toy played, each song sang, each giggle made and each tear wiped. A piece of me is broken daily into many pieces for people I love dearly. Because I know in my heart of hearts, one day soon they will not need me to clean up, cook meals, answer questions or fix things. They will grow strong and these small, needy and clingy children will be adults who might break my heart when they refuse to listen, talk back with sarcasm or forget to pickup the phone and call.

Yet I still do it – letting go of many things for myself so I can love them more. The answer is simple: the Lord made me and my husband the stewards of our kids. Our duty is to show them the Love and Grace of God by nurturing them. It is our prayer that they will remember our memories and pay forward to the universe with respect and humility. We start life on earth weak and helpless but with His Mercy, we grow.

It is my hope that when they speak to their own families and friends about us they will beam with pride and contentment as they reminisce. Then they will say “Those were the best days.”

Yes, my children. They were.