Smarter than We Think

Palpak.  The Filipino term for mistake. Palpak - We just had a rendezvous last week.  R forgot her pencil case. I attended the school's orientation and they specifically said that if ever something would be forgotten at home, no pakiabot would be entertained.  But me, being me, I just couldn't resign to my faith.  I went to the school and tried my best to charm the guard for a pakiabot.  I failed.  Palpak.

The princess forgot her princesses.

All sorts of things flashed before me.  What ifs.  Horrific sight of my daughter sulking.  But then I just can't take everything sitting down.  I did the next best thing, pray.  I prayed that Rainie would be resourceful enough to snake her way out of a sticky situation.  And I wrote her a letter...

At the end of the day, I was pleasantly greeted by her reply...

I remember what Mr. Mon Jimenez, the DOT secretary, said in an interview - "Your children are stronger than you think.  In fact, they are stronger than they think.  It is the height of arrogance to presume that they will not do well without you."

I was a proud and beaming mom but at the same time, I felt a tinge of sadness on the realization that she can survive without me.  Malaki na siya.  If I can hold on to every minute and every second so that she'll be the kid that she is, I'll do it.  But I can't.  The only thing I can do is love her.  In every stage of her life (and that of her sister too). And I guess, that's what matters the most.