I  can’t help but feel so much tenderness towards my mom whenever I talk to her lately. I see her in a different light, now that she’s turning 84. She’s not as sharp as she used to be. Most of the time I have to repeat myself, or talk a little bit louder for her to understand or hear. And she forgets quite a lot now too. This is not the lady with a commanding presence that I used to know.

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Pre-birthday lunch at Vikings Luxury Buffet: It was nice seeing her happy & carefree, even for just a short period. I guess when you get a bit forgetful it’s also a blessing because you don’t worry about things as much as before.

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All my life, my mom has been the strong force. She’s always been a tough cookie, a leader. So seeing her mellow like this makes me feel protective towards her. And a little bit melancholy. I look at her & see a life that has been lived not for herself, but for her children. She has worked very hard & missed so many opportunities trying to do good by us, raising us on her own.

She could have had a second chance at happiness, a do-ever, when my dad passed & she became eligible. But no. She decided she will live for us instead & sacrificed her own to make sure we did alright.

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I always ask my kids -especially the girls- to show their love & affection for their amah as much as they can & as often as they can.

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Now that we can finally relax a little & enjoy life somewhat, I asked her if she wanted to see the world, or parts of it at least. She said she’s too old to travel. She’d rather stay where she is. Ganyan yata pag nagkaka-edad na, the zest & passion for life diminishes. Kuntento na with what is at arm’s length. But then I felt sad. Because traveling was one dream I wanted fulfilled for her. But it seems that it’s too late for her to enjoy the beauty of foreign & exotic cities, even with me along to take care of her.

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I so want her to live with me sana so she can have companions. And since my MIL is staying with us she can have someone to chika with. But she’s always been a strong independent woman. She doesn’t want to be a burden to anyone. </3

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My mom has never been fond of shopping. All her clothes are now hanging loose on her frail frame. So on the few occasions when she permits me, I try to buy her nice things to wear -and of course she’d still complain a little. Ang matatanda, may 3 pirasong damit masaya na diba. Clothes that actually fit her now that she has lost a lot of weight. We also try to get her eating by going to nice restos now & then. She’s always had to penny-pinch & sacrifice for us, I guess it just became a habit.

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We take her out to eat from time to time because left at home, she would just pick at her food. She is so thin now! :'(

It’s not so much about appetite, but who she eats with I guess. Because I noticed if she’s with her grandkids & out and about, she is willing to try an assortment of food on the table & eats more than usual. Malungkot talaga kumain ng mag-isa.

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For her birthday, she didn’t want to have a party, or celebrate it out of the country. So the next best thing to taking her to the land of the rising sun was taking her to a Japanese resto. And to be honest, nothing compares to the Teppanyaki Buffet at Yurakuen of Diamond Hotel.

I have very few favorites when it comes to Japanese hotel restos: UMU in Dusit Thani, INAGIKU in Makati Shangri-La Manila, YANAGI in Midas Hotel, and of course YURAKUEN in Diamond Hotel.

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Always studying! :'( A SCIENCE MAJOR’s LIFE.

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So thankful to my friend IRENE of Indulgence by Irene for lending me not one but TWO Indulgence cards. Indulgent talaga sya. 😉 The buffet costs 2,800.00 php/person but if you have an Indulgence card, you get 50% off for 2 pax dining, 33.3% for 3 pax (and senior citizen cardholders), 25% for 4 pax, and 20% for 5 or more applicable at Corniche, Yurakuen & Sky Lounge of Diamond Hotel. So our bill came out to around 12k+ instead of more or less 20k! That’s a HUGE savings. Thank you Irene! :-* I’m actually thinking of getting one for myself.

An Indulgence card (6.5k) includes the following: Dining discounts | 15% discount on all beverages |  1 Complimentary Lunch or Dinner Buffet for 2 at Corniche | 1 ” Special Occasion” voucher for fifty percent (50%) discount on the total food bill in Corniche when dining at a table of six 6-12 people | 1 bottle of house wine at any participating restaurant when dining in a group of 2 or more | 1 voucher for complimentary appetizer when dining in a group of 4 or more at Yurakuen or Sky Lounge | 8 vouchers valued at P100.00 each to be used when dining at any participating restaurant | 1 week trial workout to the health and fitness center including the use of swimming pool and gym. | 50% off membership fee at the gym | 20% off for massages at Diamond Spa and 10% off on reflexology treatments at the LifeSpan Reflexology

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Maybe I’ll have another go with Kap before I return these to Irene! ;)) Those giant scallops alone, super sulit.

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Happy birthday Mommy. As always, my wish for you is more healthy & happy years ahead. God already gave you rest from your worries. Now, I hope & pray that He will also grant my wish that you can have time left to enjoy naman the fruits of your labor.

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Her last birthday celebration with the people she has been in close contact with every single day of her life for the past 30 years. But it’s really time for her to retire & enjoy her golden years. Time for her to sit back & relax na. <3

Birthday celebration at CPK after the program.

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Thank you for your selflessness & generosity. For your unconditional love & care for us even way past our prime, you still show your concern. We feel your love & care every minute of every day. You are one of our life’s greatest blessings mom. We love you! <3

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Post-birthday celebration: Gloria Maris Greenhills with the occupants of the other half of her heart. <3