The badge and the slim woman

First Published on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 5:06pm

Unmindful of the many people around, he came running.   From behind, he shouted "Mom, I got a surprise for you and dad!" Knowing Joshua, it's next to impossible to contain his excitement.  But then, we need to rush home. So I motioned him to come so we could proceed to the nearest taxi bay.

As soon as we got home, Josh, beaming with smile presented two brown paper bags (from Papelmeroti)- one for mom and one for dad. "Oh, it's a badge!" I exclaimed. And continued on to read the quote printed on it:

" A mother's love and quiet trust in the Lord are the hidden strengths of the home."

As if in a trance, I was suddenly in a deep thought (actually in prayer),

"Lord, how did Joshua know that I struggle in the area of  quiet trust? I could almost see an angel leading him to choose this one perfect badge amongst the many designs in that store so You could give me a gentle reminder and rebuke. ;-)"

 Joshua just stood there infront of me as if waiting for my comment. So I got up and gave him a big thank you hugs and kisses and held him for a while in my lap.   Then I turned to Rueland and saw that he also got one badge that says, 

"World's Greatest Dad"

"Congratulations, dear, for being the greatest dad of this world!" and I hugged Joshua even more.

I didn't realize that "congratulating" his dad would move Joshua to explain something very important-- and yes, he was serious about it.  He said,  "Mom, I was supposed to buy that badge which says"World's Greatest Mom", but there's a picture of a slim woman on it. Since you are not slim, so I didn't buy it na lang."   And I literally roared into laughters.

As I pondered on Joshua's sweet surprise, it got me thinking what truly makes a mom the world's greatest in every child's eyes.  Definitely not because she is slim and fit! 

Let me flashback to some 30+ years ago. My childhood is filled with sweet memories of my own mother, the late Leonila Idal Datas Serrano. I am amazed to realize that much of the joy I felt in mothering Joshua now is because of how she mothered me in those first 10 years of my life. There was that purest joy and fun when she plays with me, there was a feeling of comfort and warm when she's around and there was a sense of pride when she would boast about me to her relatives and friends. ;-)

I am convinced that JOSHUA MADE THE BEST CHOICE in picking that badge for me. For greatness is but a natural result of a sacrificial love and a quiet trust in the Lord.