Letter #8: Pre-graduation shoot in school

Hello, Lia.

I can still hear my OB panicking in the OR until now. “Bilisan niyo (Quick). Emergency C/S ‘to. Cord coil. In fetal distress na!” I remember praying, “Please, ako na lang (let it be me)...” I remember the tears of utter joy when the doctors said, “Baby out! Humihinga ng konti (breathing faintly).“

That was nearly five years ago. This is that baby now, in her pre-graduation shoot.

Today, she asked me, “Maganda ba ‘ko, Mama? (Am I beautiful, Mama?)”

“Yes, baby,” I told her.

“Kapag may makeup? (With makeup?)”

“Kahit walang makeup (Even without makeup). You will always be beautiful to me, kahit anong mangyari (no matter what happens).“

The years are fleeting and I am beyond thankful to the Universe that I am there to see them all unravel for her. It’s a profound and beautiful thing to be here — seeing, seeking, making moments happen one baby step at a time.

Proud of that little girl always,
Mama