Motherhood is the one thing I was so sure I always wanted in my life. Since I could remember, I always included it in my prayers. In my 20’s whenever I would see babies, I wouldn’t be able to help it, I’d talk to the parents and ask if I could touch or hug them. I was like this crazy woman who wanted a child of her own and didn’t know how it would actually happen. Haha.
In 2000, I almost died. I was on a live-aboard dive trip in Puerto Galera. After our first dive, I felt severe pain in my abdomen. I bore the pain for as long as I could. Since doing other dives was impossible, I stayed in the yacht. After 8 hours of lying in pain, my friends noticed that I looked seriously different (pale and passing out). There were angels on board. Three doctors – one a female obstetrician and two male surgeons. Turns out I was internally bleeding. The yacht turned back and to make a long story short, I had surgery in St Lukes QC. Imagine the ordeal of traveling by yacht, banca, ambulance and all that to get from Batangas to Quezon City. By the time I had my surgery the next day, the bleeding had almost reached toxic levels. One of my ovaries erupted while I was under water.
There I was, in severe pain, with doctors in the emergency room. I literally was dying slowly. If you have been in a near-death situation, you’d know that it really is just between you and God. So I kept praying. I didn’t stop praying. I asked God to guide the doctors to find a way to a) make me live, and b) allow me to still have a child in the future. Those were my last words to the surgeons. I begged them and told them that I want to have children in the future.
When I woke up, the doctor whispered, “We saved a part of your broken ovary. You’ll be ok.” And two years later, we got pregnant with our first child, Sophia. And two more beautiful little ones, Lily and Stella. I was blown away by the depth of the love, commitment, devotion and happiness. So much emotions and surprises. And continues to be so.
I’ve been a mother for 10 years now. Every day is a learning process. It is wonderful and it is also frustrating. There are daily little stressful moments. But I like to see the big picture. This is our family. We are kind to each other. We fill our home with love. I had long forgotten about the broken ovary. The birth stories are celebrated when I get nostalgic. For the most part, being a mother is about the every day little nothings with my kids. That’s parenting.
A few days ago I came across my friend’s Facebook post on adoption. I have a handful of friends who have adopted children. I was also involved in a friend’s adoption process in the past- vouching for their characters. Parenting is a gift that comes in many forms.
Watch these stories of some amazing families…
VIDEO
For more information on the adoption process, contact Norfil Foundation .
Happy Mothers Day to all those who love children and all who hope to love one or more.
It takes a village to raise a child. To my village – thank you for supporting me and allowing me to be the kind of mom I want to be. And to my siblings and friends, thank you for making me a part of your village.