In my place of work, when one says the word Butanding, the image of a simple lady pops into everyone's mind. She, the lady with the eternal butterfly rash around her left cheek-- a sign of a battle she long fought, and I think she might win. The lady who insists she stands 6-feet tall, and I silently whisper Baka 4"6'; Who doesn't carry the weight of the world on her shoulders, but has enough body mass to keep her from bending forward, and it makes me laugh whenever she tries to. A woman who, earlier this morning at work, said 'fern' instead of 'fur' too many a time, which made me laugh so hard, I ended up sitting on the ground laughing my head off, and when I tried to stand, pushed me so hard I almost lurched myself forward to the ground. And I was too afraid my glasses would fall off, but instead of feeling sorry for myself, we both ended up laughing our butts off. And it was pure bliss under the early morning rays. She, who always take me by surprise when preparing food for dinner, makes the best ginamos there is, doesn't even mind if we eat Fiesta Beef Loaf straight from the can. She who speaks fluent Tagalog and broken English.
Above all these, I think Butanding is foremost, a mother. She who talks endlessly about her children's achievements, her son's new swimming pool, her daughter's pagdadalaga, her husband's honesty, and a few times, about her family's ups and struggles. She who calls me bosing; who scolds me when I'm not in the mood to eat and I only take a few bites; who reprimands my wrong, and praises my accomplishments; who teaches me the basics of life; who listens to me and stands by me, and never for a time, judged me.
For me, you are a transcendence. Of limits, of restrictions, and many times, the ordinary.
Looking forward to having dinner with you soon! :)
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