There were many times that I felt happy and many times that I felt lonely but there are ordinary moments that my soul counts extraordinary for reasons that only a child would care to know.

When I was hot in fever crying with almost unbearable pain while it would still take three more hours before the first ray of sunlight to shine over our countryside village, mama was sitting close to my bed feeling the same pain I had. Later that day, she came from school (she was a school teacher) and I was startled when she kissed my cheeks being so happy telling me that I was the first honor of the class!

Those are special moments since mama seldom kisses any of her children -- it is not her custom to do so. But what made me remember the event so well was the joy my mama had being so proud of her son.

I remember that Friday night when I was hesitant to go home knowing that mama came from my school and was disappointed for I wasn't part of the list of the honor rolls that particular school year because of my own foolishness.

When I graduated in high school, I know she was full of joy though there was only that slight smile on her face as she was putting on the medal around my neck being the class topnotcher of the National College Entrance Examination.

I remember when I got a good job that she was so happy she could not contain herself telling the good fortune of her son to her co-teachers for I was receiving then a salary thrice her own.

I also remember how angry and lonely at the same time she was when I came home from the city, destitute but with a lot of pride nonetheless, having a totally new personality embracing a strange philosophy even telling disdainful statements about the faith in Jesus that she taught me when I was but a small child.

I will never forget how through the years she continued to believe in me even when I was in the lowest point of my life.

I know she kept the tears to herself....

I know she didn't let a day pass without saying a prayer for her beloved son.

These days I see the light on her face once more. She is happy to observe how I raise my own children and support them from the sweat of my brow.

But she still says her prayers...her precious prayers....

Only a mother would know.

Raymond S. Usbal is a Filipino Christian writer who wants to inspire others by sharing tidbits of wisdom and humor for practical living. He is, at the same time, a PHP/MySQL programmer. Be inspired more, visit inspirational-pages.com!

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