It’s now almost 1am  of January 5th in the Philippines, my Mom’s birthday.  As far as I can remember, this is the first time in my 33 years and the first time, too, since I had my own family, that we are apart on what is considered to be a special holiday in our family.

Do you remember your last birthday, Mommy?  I do!  We all spent the night in Houston to celebrate!  If I had my way, you will be with us not only on birthdays and holidays, but everyday.  No offense to Edward and Claire!  One can’t claim to know me very well if  he or she didn’t know that I’m the ultimate “mommy’s girl”.  In time, you’ll be with us permanently..because I’m just plain stubborn and I will make sure I get what I want.

Celebration at The Cheesecake Factory at The Houston Galleria

So much has happened since your last birthday.  It might even be safe to say that the good was quite upstaged by the not so good.  Life seemed to have dealt you with the worst cards ever.  Yet, we are thankful for everything that happened. Through it all, you remained to be a pillar of strength and grace.  Like I always say, I could only hope to have half the strength and wisdom that you have.  I could only hope to be half the woman that you are.

I thank God for showering you with loving and wonderful friends and relatives who saw you through the worst crises.  I guess it’s really true what they say that you’ll know who your friends (and family!)  are when you’re at the lowest point in your life. I’m glad that at the worst times, you still had plenty of precious gems to keep.

I thank God for Edward and Claire and Yaya Amor, too, for giving you the best care possible.  It helped me sleep better at night knowing that you are in very good hands.  There’s not a day that passed that I didn’t wish to be able to care for you, too, or to simply be able to hold your hand, to shower you with kisses and to give you hugs to assure you that everything will be all right. Brace yourself for a whole lot of handholding, hugging and kissing the next time we are together.  I will definitely make up for lost times.

I thank God for making you healthy and well again.  In time, everything you’re wishing and praying for now will be granted.  I look forward with eager anticipation for the abundant blessings that are in store for you.

We’ve been witness to miracles the past year and as we kick of 2009 with your birthday, I believe and know in my heart that greater miracles are on their way to you.  This is your year, Mommy!  And God will shower you with His bountiful blessings in ways that will just blow you away…all the way to Texas, I hope!

Happy Happy Birthday, Mommy!  Dondi, Abby and I love you very much.  We miss you and we’ll have a belated double celebration soon.

Until the day we’re together again, I will continue to long to be with you, like I always do.  I end this post with the Mother’s Day video photo collage I made for you last year.  It’s your birthday anyway so it doubles as Mother’s Day.