Tuesday, March 22, 2011

An Open Letter to Issa



My daughter Issa Maria is graduating from high school today. Now that she is stepping into her college shoes, I can’t put into words how I feel about this. But wait. I was able to dig my palanca letter to her for her retreat last September 2010. Maybe this will help me pour out the emotions in my chest. Allow me to share this with you…



Dear Iss...
Surprise!!! Is this the first time that I wrote you for your recollection? Yeah, I think it is. I’ve always wanted to do this, but I know you would think this is too corny and melodramatic. So why am I writing this time? Aside from your teacher’s instruction to do a palanca for all of you (hehe),this is an important recollection because this might be the last one that you will be having, both in your school and with your classmates, not to mention a bright, uncertain, exciting, and full future  ahead of you.  Hence, this letter.
Actually, this is a letter of thanksgiving. There are a lot of things why I always thank God for giving you to our family. Do you know that every time I pray, I do that? So I just want to share with you what I tell Him about you...
First, I thank Him for making you pretty. Nope, it’s not just a because-I’m-your-mother praise, but because you really are.  Thank God that it won’t take gazillions of money to make you presentable to the world—you are beautiful as you are now (okay, save for a few pounds less!). And yup, I have always admitted that you are prettier than your mom (well, no surprises there!) I am also sure that you will still bloom into a beautiful woman in the future.
Second, I thank him for making you a responsible and caring sister. You are so responsible that you actually sound like the mother in the family (or worse, sometimes like a lola!). I’m not taking it against you though, because you know I’m sometimes too carefree as a mom. So your taking over is really a blessing to me.
Third, I thank Him for making you smart and sensitive. I know, I know, you describe yourself otherwise. But I’m proud to have a daughter who has a knack for music and arts and language and academics. You may not acknowledge these gifts because you feel you are overshadowed by the grades of your brothers, but you are intelligent in your own way. Remember that each individual has special intelligent quotients, and having high grades is not the only gauge to prove that you are smart. So don’t despair if your school grades pale in comparison with the boys. But of course, this doesn’t mean you would stop trying!!!;-)
Lastly, I thank God for making you my best friend at this time of my life. At the different stages of my life, I was blessed to have real best friends. It made me get through the ups and downs more bearable and easier—my sisters...my barkada in high school and in Las Pinas...my close friends in the offices...your Dad. And now...…You! Yes, whether you deny that I’m your BFF (noooo!!) or not, I’m proud to say that I consider you as one of mine. That’s why I don’t feel the need to have someone to be close to me anymore, because I think that having you and Dad as my best friends is more than enough for me. I have you to go shopping with me, and tell me straight that I look horrendous in my choice. I have you  to listen to my rantings. You are a good listener—you are interested and curious in what others have to say—and that’s a rare gift.
There are still so many things I am thankful for having you around—and I can’t enumerate everything here. But of course, there are also many things that you have to work in yourself for you to become a better person. And it’s only YOU who can do it, Iss. In the near future, Dad and I will not always be there to look after you. Hopefully, the training and the guidance and the love that we have unendingly given to you will serve as your backup, in times when we wouldn’t be there anymore. Know that we have tried our best to raise you up as God-fearing, conscientious, responsible, smart, and loving as you are now and hopefully, as you will always be. We are and will always be proud of you...
                                                                                            Love you much.
                                                                                                                                 Mom and Dad 
                                                                                                                                 September, 2010

2 comments:

  1. please watch Cinderella's Sister...an abs-cbn korea-novela night show, it's Issa's replica...hehehe

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  2. ganun vah? sege, will check it out!!!

    ReplyDelete