It Truly Feels Different When Your Mom's Around: Traveling to My Mother's Hometown

Happy Friday Hivers!

I have some free time this week, so I decided to visit my mother in the province. She's originally from Leyte, while my father is from Cebu. They're now separated, and since my mom doesn’t want to live in Cebu, she chose to stay in her hometown — alone. Yes, alone, because all of her children are either permanently living in Cebu or working abroad. We only get to visit her when our schedules allow.

Sometimes, she visits us in Cebu, especially when we ask her to, since it's not always easy for us to find time to travel to Leyte. She also comes over during special occasions or family gatherings.

When I called to tell her I was coming home, I could already sense the excitement in her voice. Every time I visit, she would often go all the way to Hilongos just to buy my favorite food, something we call ubod. She always makes sure to get it before I arrive, so it’s ready as my first meal when I get home.

That’s the beautiful thing about having a mom, she never stops thinking about what you love. She’ll go out of her way to prepare it, just so you feel at home the moment you arrive. I’m sure many of you can relate while reading this.

I was lucky because when I traveled back home, there were only a few passengers. The terminal wasn’t too crowded, and most of the beds on the ship were empty. I really don’t like traveling on Friday evenings since that’s the busiest time on the ferry — students and workers usually head home then.

This is why I love taking night trips — by morning, I get to witness the beautiful view of the sea. I was truly grateful that the weather was good during my travel. The sea looked so calm and peaceful, it was such a serene sight. I got off the ship around 5 AM, but before heading out, I took a moment to enjoy the stillness of the surroundings.

When I arrived home, I found my mom blending carrots, chayote, cucumber, and lemon. That’s usually what she takes before breakfast — her own healthy morning routine. As we all know, when you reach a certain age, healthy living becomes a must. She’s already 70, so making healthier choices is now more important than ever.

She blended enough for the both of us, knowing I also prefer healthy food. After our little catch-up, I got excited to see the beach — one of my favorite spots in our yard. We live very close to the sea, and I’ve always loved that. But the downside is, when the weather turns bad, we’re also affected by the strong waves.

That’s why it really feels different when you have your mom around — the way they show care is truly unique. Of course, there are times when you don’t understand each other, but things always work out in the end because of the love they constantly show their children.

Just wondering, how often do you take the time to visit your mom?

Thank you for reading and see you on my next blog. Cheers!

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Watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.

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