Aisha L. Kunting
A glance at the clock as I notice the time,
how late it is on a Friday and yet she is still at the office at 11:59?
No doubt finishing a never-ending workload that is anything but light,
‘Has she eaten dinner yet?’ I wonder again as the clock strikes midnight.
A knock on the door— only one person it could be.
“Assalamualaikum,” she greets sweetly as soon as she sees me,
but it’s impossible not to notice the tired and bloodshot eyes.
Regardless, she smiles— which I’ve come to know as one of her forms of disguise.
So exhausted she doesn’t bother to change out of her work clothes.
She lays on the couch, surely tired from the workload.
But despite the million other things occupying her brilliant mind,
She asks, “How was your day, anak?”
Only I prayed yours was as happy as mine.
Mothers deserve the world and more for all the things they have to endure.
Despite their flaws and imperfections, a mother’s love remains pure.
See, mothers don’t work this hard just to earn money and spend it on themselves.
They don’t stay up at night burning the oil just to afford expensive hotels.
Don’t wake up early and cook for the family because they are forced or compelled—
these amazing mothers sacrifice their time to keep their families fed and well.
Working hard for the trials of today despite the uncertainty of tomorrow.
Bearing the aches that come with life to spare her family from sorrows.
There is no way to properly describe all her pains,
and no words will be big enough to even begin my thanks.
A mother’s time is precious— precious as a diamond in a bed of sand.
I would give up all my fleeting time just to hold her motherly hands.