Mother's day just went
by like any other day in our house. I don't even try to post a message to my
mom in the internet since she doesn't look at her Facebook account anymore (We
made an account for her but she doesn't manage it- we do).
But our church decided
to have a Mother's day lunch this Sunday after our Worship service. A small
gathering and a few tokens will be given to them to honor them. I was also
looking for videos in the YouTube to show on the celebration. Then I came across
one of the short films of Wong Fu
Productions titled, "What Asian Parents Don't Say..."
I was actually laughing
at the video because I can really relate to almost all of them. I think the
video of Wong Fu really was on point because most Asians have a hard time
expressing themselves.
Then there was this part
that tugged my heartstrings.
It
made me think. What are other things my parents say but they don’t really say?
Growing
up, I already considered our family a pretty open and expressive family. I grew
up eating together every meal and learned that we must always talk while eating
(but we make sure our mouth is not full ha?!).
But
this one struck me. It reminded me that yes my parents are still Asians but
also they don’t really know how to express themselves. How many times I’ve
heard my mother say those words every single day, “Kumain ka na ba?” (Did you
eat yet?). But I’ve never heard her say those 3 letter words “I love you” first
(I usually say it first but she just answers with ‘hmmm’ or ‘thank you’).
Then
I saw my father also do that (I know this is for Mother’s day but there are
also fathers who’s role right now is both mother and father- you are not
forgotten). I remembered when we started in Ministry; he could not express how
he agreed with our house becoming the parsonage and even the sanctuary for the
Church.
But I would see him working so hard cooking food and offering it to
everyone who comes to our house- he always made sure everyone is well fed. He might
not say it, but now I know he is saying ‘I love you’.
I
know this because I also adapted those words. If there is one thing my church
members know I ask always as their pastor (especially my girls! If you are
reading this, you already know now what I mean) is its “Kumain ka na ba?” (Did you
eat yet?).
Why?
Why don’t they say it? The short film also answers that:
Because
some of them didn’t hear much of it while they were growing up.
But
they can hear it now.
They
might not have heard it before, but they can hear it now. Don’t just say it the
way they say it. Say it plainly. Tell them those 3 words.
Not
just now because it’s Mother’s Day or it’s their Birthday. They didn’t say ‘did
you eat yet’ to you on occasions but every day. They’re saying I love you to
you EVERY DAY.
#kumainkanaba?
(BTW: Watch the Video- the ending is so heartwarming I can't help but share it).
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