To the Matriarch

Today you mark your 80th year here on earth. That is a long fulfilling life you've lived. Not many can say the same thing about themselves.

Even up to now I am amazed at your academic intelligence in your chosen field. I say academic because in practice you are not the best business woman there is (everybody knows that LOL). Luckily for your students, you chose to be a teacher.

You pursued academic excellence which produced a fruitful career in education. I wonder what you would have become were you not smitten by Daddy's charms when you were younger. For smitten you really were since you followed him to his home town and stayed for good.

Even if I am your child I saw you grow up with my own eyes. As far as I can remember you have always been outspoken about your thoughts. You wrote letters, you spoke in public, you rallied against perceived wrongs. But at the same time you were also always wanting to please everybody that sometimes you prioritize protocol over what you really think is right. Maybe that is why you are quite loved by your friends and secretly envied by your peers.

You taught us to be self-reliant without even teaching us how to be self-reliant. Minimal supervision was your style, or is it called laissez-faire from the management books you taught? However, you demanded the best grades and performances from us your children. Our greatest fear was not your anger but your disappointment.

I can speak of you as a mother, a teacher, a mentor, a co-parent and a best-friend, for you have been those to me and more. You may not be demonstrative and vocal of your affection towards us but we know intrinsically that you do love us and wish only the best for us.

I hope you stay mentally and physically healthy so you can continue to enjoy life to the fullest with daddy and your friends. You have reached the peak in Maslow's hierarchy of needs. You have been for two decades in the self-actualization stage so be fearless in expressing yourself. Forget protocols. Just experience the best times of your long fulfilling life.

Happy birthday!