Mom

Mel, Rachel, my mom & me

Today is my mother's birthday, and the one thing that I wish more than anything was that I could somehow magically be in the Philippines to celebrate with her. Since I can't, I'm going to have to settle for giving her a public shout-out on the blog since she's simply the most amazing woman I have ever known in my life.

My mom is one of the sweetest and kindest people in the world. She may not be the most talkative person in the room, but she's got an innocent charm to her that can't be denied. She's a disciplined woman, and it is from her I learned to how to manage a household. She's skilled at handling many different responsibilities all at the same time, and I've always admired her drive to do her best with what's been given to her. At her very core, she's loyal and fiercely loving and shows the people she cares about as much as she can. 

I've always admired my mother, and though I've told her many times, I will never be able to say it enough. I love you mom. Thank you for raising me so that I became the young woman I am today. You are an amazing, wonderful, lovely person and I want all the happiness and peace that you truly deserve for you.

Now, since this is a bookish blog, let it also be credited to my mother that she instilled a love of reading in my heart. She likes to tell stories of how she used to read to me when I was still forming in her womb. And then there's actual video proof of me begging her to read book after book to me when I was a year or two old - I used to have this stack of Dr. Seuss books that I could never be parted from. Year after year, my mother encouraged my love of reading by supplying me with books on a regular basis.

Considering all of that, it might be surprising for you guys to know that there is one particular book that I am always thankful to my mom for putting into my hands. I may not have read it right away, kept it shoved in a drawer for a couple of weeks along with my other Christmas presents, but when I finally did read it, it was the most amazing experience.

What's the book? Why, none other than Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone!

My mother gave me the book that started my real love affair with reading and writing, the book that has inspired an instinct to weave stories and bring characters to life. That book affected me more profoundly than she probably ever knew, until now anyway.

So yes, my mom is obviously amazing, you guys.

Happy birthday mom! Let it be known to one and all that I love you from the bottom of my heart.