Jaime Andrés Fajardo Narváez TP in Colombia
Jasmin Nicole M. Ducha TP in the Philippines
To my dear mother, As we approach International Women’s Day, I can’t help but reflect on your profound impact on my life. You have always been a fundamental pillar, and each day, I am grateful for your presence. I vividly remember the stories you shared about your work as a nurse, the challenges you faced, and the lives you touched with your dedication. I never imagined that those narratives, filled with love and compassion, would ignite my passion for serving others. Today, as a bilingual interpreter, I feel immense gratitude towards TP for allowing me to use my linguistic skills to bridge medical staff and those in need during critical moments. But above all, I want to thank you, Mom, for teaching me, both directly and indirectly, the value and importance of serving others. You have shown how a single action can ripple through someone’s life, and because of you, I have the opportunity to do the same. I plan to continue doing work that brings me satisfaction and growth while also allowing me to contribute to a society that so deeply needs empathy and compassion.
Growing up, I always admired my mother’s strength, on how brave she is. But I didn’t fully understand it. She is the firstborn in their family, the breadwinner, and the one every - one depended on. She worked tirelessly, sacrificing her own dream so that her sibling, who is my uncle, could finish his studies and their moth - er could eat at least three times a day, since my grandmother had just lost her job at that time. So, my mother needed to sacrifice her study to work. I definitely knew how hard she worked for her family, but I didn’t fully understand what it meant at that time since I was just a child. I saw the silent exhaustion my mother must have felt at the end of each day. There were times when she cried silently and would wipe her tears quickly when she saw me. There were moments of loneliness and won- dering if anyone saw the sacrifices she made. There was the pressure of trying to be strong when, deep down, she wished that someone could be strong and be there for her. Then, I grew up and found myself in the same position as my mother. As the eldest in our family, I became the breadwinner like my mother. And suddenly, I understood. I understood the tiredness she never spoke about. The nights she lay awake, worrying about tomorrow. The silent sobs every time she cries in the dark. The times she must have felt alone, carrying so much on her shoulders. I finally knew how heavy that burden was, because I carry it too. But I also understood something else: her strength. Even with all her struggles, she never let it harden her heart. She still smiled, still cared, and still gave love freely. And that, more than anything, showed me what true strength looks like. Now, when I look at her, I see her as more than just my mother. I see someone who walked this path before me, who understands me without
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SOURCE OF INSPIRATION
LETTERS TO MOTHERS
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