YAM'S NEXT PHASE OF LIFE

The days went so fast! It seems that only yesterday when our precious child, Yam was born. But when I look at him now, he is taller than me. For us as his parents, he is more than enough even he has a developmental disability. As we raise him, he raises us as well. As his parents, we have learned many things from him. He had taught us many things as we have watched him grow. We have seen his quiet kindness to others and animals, and most especially his love to our God. 

We still remember what his teachers in grade school have told us. They remarked about his concern for the feelings of his classmates. Even he is a child with special needs he attracted friends throughout the years of his school days. He loved and understood by his classmates, friends, educational coaches and teachers.

When he was a small boy, I used to remember that there were times when I am mad, he kept on telling me, “Mommy, you’re face is like an eagle.” It was because the parts of my eyebrows which are aligned with the center of the nostrils meet. And when I am sad, he used to remind me to smile. This does mean that he didn’t like me to feel bad instead he taught me how to find joy. He has a gift of turning the dull and boring moments into excitement and amusement that give us a constant sources of delight and truly lightens our days. He taught us to relax and not to take everything seriously. On his simple way of expressing his feelings, we must be a happy family.

Yam brought us pride and honor throughout his tender years in school. He bears high intelligence and a very sharp memory. Despite his disability, he did his best to gain knowledge. He proved that he can be able to do what others can do. There are times he excels in the class with his regular classmates. He is a consistent “achievement awardee” from grade one to fourth year in high school. He usually won either first place or second place in several contests in school such as in Photography, Flag Making, Pagbigkas ng Tula, and also Best in Costumes during the United Nations Celebration and some others through the years. I can still remember, he won the first place in spelling competition for three (3) consecutive years when he was in grade school and still, a second place winner in high school every year.

Those good school days (grade school and high school) are gone. It is because yesterday was his graduation day. When I accompanied him to the stage to receive his certificate and medals, it was really hard holding back my tears as saying to myself, “This is it, Lord God.” It might be tears of mixed emotions --- tears of sadness because it is about time for our child to bid goodbye to his classmates and teachers, and to all the things that we do in routine; tears of joy, because we are so worried but excited for him to embrace a next phase of his life. 

I really can’t imagine that my dear Yam is done in high school. But another journey of life waits for him. This is the college life which we do not know if he could be able to be more competent with his classmates. He may needs some adjustments with different people, different teachers and different environment. To recognize the path that he will be going through, we as his parents will continuously support him to achieve his dream. It is to become a great Photographer or a successful Computer Engineer. We will keep on praying for him as he moves forward into a new world. No choice but to face it with God’s love and guidance.

Yam, whatever you do and wherever you go, we will be always here beside you... We are so grateful for God gave you to us… You are so precious and I am 100% sure that you are so special in the sight of our God Almighty.  

CONGRATULATIONS, OUR DEAR SON!