Melanie

Many years back while still courting my future wife, we often have her younger sister in tow. She was about eight years old then. She find me funny and enjoyed my company and would often asked her elder sister to allow her to be with us every time we go to church, outing on the beach, going to the movies and even if I'm just visiting her sister at home. She grew up getting whatever she wants from me and my wife and often asked small favors were requested which she usually got. It seems, she wouldn't take "NO" for an answer. When she was a young teenager she would bring my children in tow every time she comes to us during summer vacation. She love to play the role of a teacher, a mother, a baby-sitter rolled into one. My children find her strict and caring. And not without good reasons. Their mother, my mother-in-law was relatively strict and disciplinarian. When all of her siblings were already married, having their own family and growing children, she would still look after their well being. At present, she has 13 nephews and nieces from 4 siblings (our children included). When she returned from her first vacation from work in the Middle East , she has gifts and presents for everyone. If one of her siblings is having financial difficulty and in need of help, she would lend a hand. It happened to us once. When all of my children were simultaneously in college (the eldest is graduating and the youngest is a freshman), she gave us additional amount so everybody won't miss enrollment that school year. Every time she arrives from vacation and return to her work after her sojourn, she asked me to fetch and escort her from the Airport to either our or her brother's house in the city. When she married her fiance almost a decade ago, my wife acted as the mother since my parents-in-law were both deceased at that time. Prior to her marriage, she requested me to intercede in her behalf to explain to her sister (my wife) why she is marrying this guy. My wife is against having this guy as a brother-in-law. She says he won't turn out to be a good husband. As requested, I raised the issue to my wife and discussed the merits of the marriage. Apparently, she has a change of heart and eventually allowed her younger sister to marry her fiance. After the wedding and honeymoon, husband and wife took different flights to different destinations. The husband landed in Dubai , the wife in Jeddah. They would take simultaneous month-long vacation to play their role as husband and wife. In late 2002, my sister-in-law was due to give birth to her first born. She requested my wife to be present during this ordeal. She gave birth to a son. Less than a month later, the new-born died of pneumonia. She was broken hearted and soon returned to her work abroad. The couple took simultaneous vacation again in 2004 and in May of 2005, she became a mother for the second time. This time, it's a girl. Since then, she stopped working to do her motherly duties. Her husband remained a modern day hero, an OFW. It seems all the women in their family gave up their careers to be a full time mother. It runs in the family. First, my mother-in-law. Then my wife. Next, my wife's other younger sister. And now the youngest, Melanie. They're all dedicated mothers. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL OF YOU.