Mommy Dearest

Oh yeah, my mom’s okay now after a whole morning of her blood pressure going up and down inexplicably. Most of the people I talked to say she’s thinking of something, something that is causing her distress.

Well, it was my dad’s birthday last Dec. 4. It is her first time to celebrate his birthday without him. It is our first Christmas without him. It is our first New Year without him. And when we fly to Bohol between Christmas and New Year, it is the first time we’ll be going to our home province without him.

People have advised me that we should make sure my mom is never alone in the house. Oh great; most of the time she’s alone at home with only our maid with her. This holiday season I’m going to ask my brother to let my nephew and niece vacation at our home.

Years ago I realized I may have to take care of my parents when they grow old and retire. At that time I was resistant to the idea—heck, I don’t want to end up being a caregiver. But now this is my reality, and I’m not too opposed to the idea anymore. I just wish though that someone can always be with my mom so she can be busy.

Maybe I should push her to accept her cousin’s invitation to run for mayor in our hometown in Bohol. Now that would really drive her—and our—blood pressure way up!