Tag Archives: children

Bedridden and Helpless

17 Aug

In the middle of pandemic due to several variants of covid19, people easily get sick tremendously. Many people are still recovering from sickness.  Some of them are still in the worse medical condition due to complications. Most of the time, these people are bedridden and helpless in the hospital, quarantine facility or home quarantine.

Do you know the feelings of the patient being isolated, bedridden and helpless? Do you know also the feelings of the bedside caregiver monitoring the 24-hour medical condition of the patient? It is very tough to become a patient or a caregiver. Patients and caregivers are really experiencing physical, mental, emotional and financial pains.

Physical Pain

Medical patients are experiencing physical pains.  They cannot turn over their bodies by themselves because they are so weak. Their blood cannot circulate well which may turn into bedsores and develop into skin wounds that prone to infection. They cannot open their eyes to see everything around. They cannot open their mouth to say something what they need. They cannot eat well using their mouth. Instead, they eat through nasal tubing that brings out physical discomfort. They can sense the pain while injecting the needles on their bodies. They cannot move their bodies voluntarily.  They stay on their body positions for several hours.

Likewise, caregivers of these patients have physical pains too. They stay with them most of the time and monitor their health condition. They patiently lift up the patient’s body when needed. They patiently feed them and allow them sip some liquids in order to prevent dehydration. They quickly respond to the patient’s needs like changing diaper, cleansing the whole body and changing clothes.

Mental Pain

Medical patients are experiencing mental pain.  They have many thoughts.  They think negatively most of the time.  Thoughts like what if they cannot survive.  What will happen to them? Who will take good care of their families? Where are my children? Do they come?

Similarly, caregivers have mental pains too.  They are worrying about the patient’s severe condition.  They are thinking about what will happen next. Thoughts such as what they will tell to their families and how they will tell it. Do they feel sorry about it or just listen to what the family will say? Most of the time, caregivers are confused mentally. They cannot decide wisely on certain things.

Emotional Pain

Medical patients are experiencing emotional pain.  They can only hear the voices around.  They feel very sad that brings out unstoppable falling tears from their eyes.  Patients know that they will die anytime.  With their conscious mind, they pray silently. It is really difficult for them to leave their families, relatives and friends. It is very tough and heartbreaking process of separation in their entire life. They want to win the fight for life but they are helpless to do it.

Caregivers have emotional pains too. It is hard for them to look at the patients who are suffering from severe illnesses.  They can feel the deep pain internally. They also cry and feel sad.  They try to comfort the patients by all means.

Financial Pain

Medical patients and their families are experiencing financial pain. They spend much money and have developed huge debts from hospitalization costs, medical procedures, professional fees and medicines. They spend from hundreds to millions value amount of any currency. The outpatients incur medical expenses, food supplements and other necessary materials such as diapers, alcohol, bath soap and wipes.

Sometimes, caregivers are experiencing financial pain too.  Most of the time, the caregivers are close relatives of the patients.  If the family has poor economic condition, the caregiver usually provides the needs of the patient unselfishly. Being front liners, caregivers provide their humane services to the patients unconditionally.

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Remembering Mother on Mother’s Day

19 Apr

A mother who is looking and waiting for her loving mother.

What is a Mother’s Day without your loving and caring mother? Do you know that every part of a single mother worth more than a million? Let me explain its value.

Your Head

As a single mother, you used the top of your head to carry a bundle of newly harvested rice grains for meal; a bundle of firewood for cooking or a basin of Anchovy fish for selling.  You also used your head to think wisely and find right solutions for the daily problems.

Your Eyes

As a single mother, you kept your eyes to your children for their safety. You used your eyes to discipline your children. Eyes that maybe big and wide; on-focus or understanding and kind-looking to your concern. Sleepless nights in times of sickness of your children just to ensure they were safe.

Your Nose

As a single mother, you used your nose if the newly laundry clothes were smelled pleasant and if the children were smelled stinky already and they need to take a bath.

Your Ears

As a single mother, you used your ears to listen to your children and grandchildren’s amazing stories. Through your ears, you heard the sound of the roosters in the early morning wherein you rise from bed instantly to fetch up water for daily consumption.

Your Mouth

As a single mother, you used your mouth to give pieces of advice to your children and grandchildren. You taught them the right things and told them to become nice and hardworking person with brighter dreams in life.

Your Shoulder

As a single mother, you used your shoulder to carry the “Buli” bag or “Pandan” bag with fruits and vegetables inside when going home after the whole-day work in the rice field.

Your Breast

As a single mother, you breastfed your young children regularly so that they will grow healthy someday and free from any kind of illnesses.

Your Heart

As a single mother, you provided unconditional love to your children and grandchildren. You have a big heart too to your parents, brother, sisters, nephews, nieces, husband and in-laws. You knew how to accept and how to forgive persons. You really loved them so much.

Your Arms

As a single mother, you used your arms to strongly uproot the rice seedlings, transplant them on rice fields and harvest the rice grains after a few months.  You used your strong arms to pound and manually mill the greener rice grains up and down then filter them using “Bilao” to make it into whiter rice grains.

Your Hands

As a single mother, you used your hands to prepare “Buli” or “Pandan” fibers, weave and design them properly into a local mat for sale. You used your hands to catch fishes along  the shallow river and pick up shells on the shoreline with your siblings and children. You used your hands to wash the clothes of your children and grandchildren then press these clothes after drying. You used your hand to put the wet face towel on his/her forehead when he/she has fever. You used your hands too in giving foods to the very young children and elderly people around you.

Your Waist

As a single mother, either be sunny day or rainy day, you bent your waist the whole day while planting rice seedlings on the rice fields for a little payment or non-monetized payment of your labor instead, work exchange.

Your Hips

As a single mother, you sit on your hips almost the whole night just to weave and finish intentionally the local mat so that you can sell it then later buy some foods for your children, grandchildren and sister.

Your Legs

As a single mother, you used your legs in walking distantly about two kilometers away from your home to your work place and do the same routine when going home from work place to your home. Your legs consumed all the energy reserved in walking after the whole-day work. You also walked in going to the church to attend Holy Mass with your sisters on Saturday evening regularly. You bent your knees whenever you pray.

Your Feet

As a single mother, you used your feet not only to separate the greener rice grains from its husk but also to clean up the house floor. You used your feet to stand up firmly against all tough moments that trying to bring you down but they fail. You courageously stood still and never give up.

Thus, for this special day wherein everybody celebrates the Mother’s Day  and for this special occasion wherein every member of the family comes together, what is a Mother’s Day without your loving and caring mother? What is a Mother’s Day without her presence?

“Thanks God, I am still alive.”

15 Jul

Thanks God, I am still alive,
Coz I have the mission to survive,
And have the human rights for life.
They need my presence and tender, loving care,
Thus, they always ready to support my basic needs.

Thanks God, I am still alive,
To breathe the fresh air and hear the sound of the wind,
To see the raindrops falling on the green leaves,
To smell the favorite foods on the table,
And ready to eat fruits and drink milk any time.

Thanks God, I am still alive.
To hear the Holy Mass every Sunday,
To strengthen my faith on Him and receive His blessings,
To glorify and praise Him because of the wonderful things,
That He had given to me including my own life.

Lifelong Valuing of Teachers

4 Oct

How do we value teachers? How do we appreciate and recognize them? I hope all of these are not limited in the school setting but in our very own simple little ways from the day-to-day basis starting from their superiors down to their learners. They really deserve such kind of valuing, appreciation and recognition beyond their expectations.

Teacher I

To my elementary teachers, you taught me the basics of education.  I learned how to read with comprehension, listen carefully, write legibly, speak clearly and count correctly.

To my high school teachers, you explained me the academics. I learned the basic subjects and electives. I learned the how’s and why’s of certain phenomena.

To my college professors, you taught me how to apply certain things. I learned how to grow professionally.  I learned how to teach the youth.

To my graduate professors, You taught me to understand beyond unexpected things.  I learned how to become a professional and well-experienced teacher with distinctions throughout the decades.

Teacher II

To my aunt, Indo Simay. You taught me the essence of helping others. You showed me the values of patience, love and care specially to our own family and relatives. You reminded me the power of prayers and strong faith to God. You had been my second parent when my real parents stayed with the families of my brothers and sisters farther away from our hometown.

Teacher III

To my parents, Guillermo and Teofila.  You were my very first teachers.  You taught me the true meaning of life. You guided me towards righteousness.  I learned good and right things from you. I treasured most the core values in life that you shared with me. In spite of everything, I learned how to succeed by myself without putting anybody down.  You were great mentors too. You mentored me how to understand life, to help others and love one another. I learned how to show concern with the elders, sick people and less fortunate citizens.

Master Teacher 

To God, You are my Master Teacher.  You are the greatest teacher I have ever known. I do worship and praise You most.  I give all the glory on You. I do appreciate all the things the You created and provided for me. I would like to thank You for giving me dedicated and committed classroom teachers as well as very loving. caring parents, relatives and friends.

Happy Teacher’s Day!

Nanay Magpakailanman (Mother Forever)

8 May

nanay ko (2)

Bago ipanganak (Before Birth)

Nanay (Mother): “Asawa ko! Mukhang manganganak na ako ngayon kasi humihilab na ang tiyan ko.” “Aray”!

(“Hubby, I think I will deliver my baby now because my tummy is aching.” “Ouch”!

Tatay (Father): “Sige, Mahal. Dadalhin kita sa ospital ngayon din”

(“Yes, Dear.  I will bring you to the hospital right now”)

Pagkatapos ng Isang Buwan (After a month)

Sanggol (Infant): (umiiyak) “Whaaaa, whaaaa!”

(crying) “Whaaaa, whaaaa!”

Nanay (Mother): (nagmamadali) “Dito na ako, anak. Pasususuhin na kita.”

(in a hurry) “I am already here, baby to breastfeed you.”

Pagkatapos ng isang taon (After a year)

Anak (Baby): “Nanay, Nanay”

(“Mother, Mother”)

Nanay (Mother): (niyakap) “Wow, ang galing, galing mo naman, anak ko”

(hugged the baby) “Wow, you are so smart, my baby.”)

Pagkatapos ng limang taon (After five (5) years)

Anak (Son/Daughter): “Nanay, masama po ang aking pakiramdam.”

(“Mom, I am not feeling well.”)

Nanay (Mother): “Ipatingin kita sa manggagamot.”

(“Let us see the medical doctor.”)

Pagkatapos ng sampung taon (After ten (10) years)

Anak (Son/Daughter): “Nanay, gusto ko po mamasyal, kumain at makatanggap ng regalo sa kaarawan ko”.

(Mom, I would like to take a walk, dine-in with you and receive a gift on my birthday.”)

Nanay (Mother): “Sige, anak. Bastat maging mabait kang bata ay matutupad ang mga kahilingan mo.”

(Son/Daughter, as long as you will be a good child, your wishes will be granted.”)

Pagkatapos ng labinlimang taon (After fifteen (15) years)

Anak (Son/Daughter): “Nanay, nakatapos na ako ng pag-aaral na may karangalan.” “Maraming salamat po sa inyo.”

(“Mom, I graduated already with flying colors.” “Thank you so much.”)

Nanay (Mother): (napakasaya) “Masayang-masaya ako, anak dahil nakatapos ka na may karangalan.”

(very happy) (“I am very happy that you graduated with flying colors, my son/daughter.”)

Pagkatapos ng limang taon (After five (5) years)

Anak (Son/Daughter): “Nanay, mag-aasawa na po ako.”

(“Mom, I am getting married.)

Nanay (Mother): “Binabati kita at hangad ko ang iyong kaligayan at tagumpay.”

(Congratulations and I wish for your happiness and success.”)

Pagkatapos ng sampung taon (After ten (10) years)

Anak (Son/Daughter): “Nanay, heto na po ang mga apo ninyo.”

(“Mom, Here are your grandchildren.”

Nanay (Mother): “Wow, ang gaganda at ang popogi nila.”

(Wow, they are so pretty and handsome.”)

Pagkatapos ng limampung taon (After fifty (50) years)

Nanay (Mother): (umiiyak) “Matanda na ako at malapit ng mamatay. Ano mang oras ay babalik na ako sa  Diyos. Tangi mong pakatandaan na mahalin at pangalagaan mo ang iyong pamilya tulad ng pagmamahal at pangangalaga ko sa iyo noong ikaw ay bata pa, habang lumalaki hanggang magkaroon ng sariling pamilya.”

(crying) (“I am already old and getting nearer to death. Anytime, I will go back to God.  Just remember, you have to love and care your own family as what I did love and care to you when you were young and getting older until you have your own family.”)

Anak (Son/Daughter): (umiiyak) “Nanay ko na pinakamamahal ko. Kung ang Diyos ang nagbigay ng buhay sa akin, Ikaw, Nanay ko ang nagbigay ng kulay ng buhay ko. Ako ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa iyo, Nanay, sa lahat ng mga bagay na ipinagkaloob mo sa akin. Wala po kayong katulad. Napakadakila po kayong nanay para sa akin at sa aking pamilya. Hindi lang po, masayang pagbati ng Mother’s Day sa inyo kundi masayang Mother’s Forever sa inyo.”

(crying) (“My beloved Mom. If God gave me life, You, my Mother, gave colors in my life.” I am very thankful to you for all the things that you had given to me. You are incomparable. You are the greatest mother for me and for my family. It is not only the greetings of Mother’s Day to you but also the happiest Mother Forever to you.”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School Opening

2 May

School opening may bring a lot of preparations

Family preparation to enroll their children in school

Schoolchildren that love to play, study and do their lessons

Valuable lessons which they can explore, understand and explain things

Unique things that can answer questions; solve and resolve problems.

 

School opening may bring a lot of problems

Financial problem is common to all parents and guardians

Families and guardians who paid for the tuition fee and other school fees

School fees which serve as the operating expenses of the school to attain its goals

Goals and objectives of the school towards its vision and mission.

 

School opening may bring a lot of excitements

Excited children enjoy to wear their new shoes and school uniform

School uniform that matches up with new school bag and school items

School items that are available in the market, bookstore and shopping malls

Shopping malls that can provide everything for the needs of the school children.

 

School that Educates People (Step) to Move by Renato Mas Meron

19 Apr

STEP to start the day,
STEP to clean the way;
STEP to plant the seed,
STEP to move ahead.

STEP to conduct an experiment,
STEP to protect the environment;
STEP to search the truth,
STEP to serve them both.

STEP to work properly,
STEP to help the needy;
STEP to do right action,
STEP to develop innovation.

STEP to teach the children,
STEP to learn more than ten;
STEP to be a better Valenzuelano,
STEP to be a true Filipino.

Please Don’t Leave Me Alone

8 May

My dear children,

Please don’t leave me alone.  I am your mother and you are my children.  I am already 95 years old. I don’t want to stay in the home for the aged. I want to stay with you to the rest of my life because I really love all of you very much.

I could still remember when I was with my mother.  She said, “My daughter, when you grow older, I want you to get married and have your own family so that your children can take care of you when you get old.  I cannot stay with you forever.” I followed my mother’s advice.  When I found out the right man whom I love, I got married and started to raise my own family.  My children’s names are Mary, Oliver, Theresa, Henry, Eric and Rebecca.

M for Mary

Mary, you are a professional teacher now.  I remembered when you were young, you loved to read books and shared the stories with me.  I could see how happy you are every time I listened to your stories. Now, you got promoted as school principal and also a mother with five children.

O for Oliver

Oliver, you are already a successful businessman.  I remembered when you were young. you loved to sell candies to our neighbors.  Then, you saved your earning into your piggy bank. I could see your efforts to promote your candies. Now, you own already a department store and also a father with two children.

T for Theresa

Theresa, you are a medical doctor now.  I remembered when you were young, you were consistent honor student.  You were always asking me many things which sometimes I could not answer it anymore.  Now, you are one of the stockholders of the hospital and also a mother with four children.

H for Henry

Henry, you are already an engineer.  I remembered when you were young; you loved to play blocks and Legos.  You built structures out of blocks and Legos.  Now, you own and manage a construction company and also a father with six children.

E for Eric

Eric, you are a licensed lawyer now.  I remembered when you were young; you were always engaged in a fight for defending your playmates and classmates against bully children. Now, you are a well-recognized lawyer of this present generation and a father with three children.

R for Rebecca

Rebecca, you are a great artist now.  I remembered when you were young; you loved to draw, paint, sing, dance and act.  Everybody got amused every time you perform in front of us. Now, you are doing series of TV commercials and one of the casts of upcoming movie and also a mother with one child.

Do you know that I am very proud to all of you? I understand how busy you are with your families and with your chosen professions. However, I would like to request from you that please don’t send me into the home for the aged.  In fairness, I know that many homes for the aged provide excellent services to their clients.  But… I love to stay with you as my own children to the rest of my life. I need yourtime, love and care especially when the time came that I cannot remember or recognize you due to  my severe dementia or cannot see, hear or touch you anymore.

I hope that my request be granted this Mother’s Day.

Lovingly yours,

Your Mother

 

Para sa Dakilang Nanay

16 Oct

Hangarin ko po na mabigyan kayo ng kaginhawaan

Adhikain ko po na kayo ay matulungan

Pinasasalamatan ko po ang iyong pagigigng huwarang ina

Pinagbubunyi ko po ang inyong kadakilaan

Yaman kong taglay ang mga payo po ninyo at pangaral.

Butihing ina ko na walang katulad

Ipinagmamalaki ko po kayo sa buong mundo

Responsableng nanay na hindi matutumbasan

Tama at tuwid lagi ang pinaninindigan at katwiran

Handa ninyo pong harapin ang mga unos sa buhay

Di po kayo sumusuko sa anumang balakid na nararanasan.

Alamat po kayo ng isang lahing Pilipino na makasaysayan

Dakilang ina ko na sadyang mapagmahal, masipag, maunawain at makatarungan

Kaya sampu ng inyo pong pamilya at lahat ng mga nagmamahal sa inyo

Kami po ay buong puso at wagas na nagpapasalamat po sa inyo, Nanay

sa inyo pong kadakilaan bilang isang mabuting ina sa aming lahat.

A Happy Father’s Month

26 May

A Happy Father’s Month.