AN OPEN LETTER TO NANAY

Dear Nanay, 

I just want to say that I know everything about you.

When I was still inside your womb I knew how excited you were to hold me in your arms. I felt your fears and your intense pain during the hours of labor. I saw the tears of joy that rolled down your face the first time you saw me. I knew then that you would be the best Nanay in the world.

I know how proud you are for every milestone and every achievement I make. I see how you try to document my "firsts." I know how you try to keep yourself from posting everything about me in social media.

I know how exhausted you are after a day's work yet you still manage to play with me and act crazily just to make me smile.

I know that you try to keep calm and not get mad when I become clumsy and careless, like spilling water on the floor, breaking a glass or a plate or writing with colorful pens or crayons on the wall. I know I annoy you with my tantrums during nappy change and bath time. 

I know that while you are physically busy with me, your mind is also busy thinking of the household chores waiting for you to be done when I fall asleep. I know how frustrated you are for not being able to clean the house, wash the dishes, or do the laundry. But I am the most important job.

I know how bad you feel when people give not such kind comments about me. I know how discouraged you are when they compare me with other children who look healthier just because they're tall and chubby. But I know how determined you are to continue your parenting style.

I know how tempted you are to give me the most expensive clothes and toys. But you won't buy them even if you can because you want me to learn that the best things in life are always free.

I know that you doubt yourself as a mother whenever I'm sick. I hear you ask yourself, "What have I done wrong?" "Am I not taking good care of my child?"

I know how stressed you are thinking about me. I know how you wish to take all the pain I have to get through. I hear you talk to God to give you my sickness so that I can be well.

I know much you've changed. I know how disappointed you can get when you look at yourself and realize that you are indeed a wife and a mother now. But I also see the glow on your face when you think about how God blessed you with the family you once dreamed of.

I know how you struggle to be the best wife to Tatay and the best Nanay to me every day.

I want you to know that you are the best, indeed.

I want you to know that I see and appreciate every little thing you do for me.

I want you to know that while your every second is meant for me, my world, on the other hand,  revolves around you.

I love you, Nanay. I hope you know that.

Love,

God's Greatest Blessing