Dear Gaby and Alexa,
I’m Teacher Thumby from Toddlers Unlimited, your first school in Alabang, Manila. By first school, I mean, you started coming when you were 1.
In Toddlers, as long as you were in school, so was your mom. It took a while before Teacher Erika could get her to leave Gaby in the purple room. Even more when both of you started coming to school – your mom was always around. Sometimes in the classroom and other times in the waiting area. Once in a while she would leave to do errands, but was always close by.
Your mom would often bake deliciously healthy cookies that she would give to the teachers. Whenever she would pass my office and say, “I left cookies with the teachers,” I would wait for a few seconds then run to the classroom and ask for one or two. But she never baked them by herself, it was always something you did together. “The girls and I made it,” she would say.
When your mom got sick and had to undergo treatments, she would still do her best to come to school and be there for you. Sometimes we would sit together and talk. And she was so open about what was happening and always so optimistic. Her strength is amazing, she speaks so matter-of-factly and never wants people to feel sorry for her.
I remember feeling sad when your mom told me that she was moving the family to Makati and that you would be going to a different school. We were teary-eyed on your last day in Toddlers as we hugged each other goodbye, but she said that wouldn’t be the last time we see each other.
True to her word, she brought you over for a visit, and was so patient as Gaby regained her confidence to play with Ginny. She never pushed or forced you, instead she knew that you just needed time. And sure enough, before the day was over you were asking Ginny, your best friend in Toddlers, for another play date.
One thing I clearly remember about your mom is her devotion to your grandpa. And how she would write and talk about him. How active he and your Lola were in attending your school events – it was so clear what a tight-knit family you have. When you were already in another school, your mom messaged me about how much she missed Toddlers – in the way we built a community for the parents and listened to them. It’s something I really appreciated. But that’s the kind of person you’re mom is. If you do something that needs to be corrected or pointed out, she will tell you point blank. But if she sees something that you’ve done that deserve praise, she will not hesitate to make you feel good.
Very recently one of our teachers passed away. Even though you are so far away, your mom made the effort to write and take photos of a beautiful book that we could share to the students about understanding death. This is how thoughtful and kind she is. I may not be especially close to your mom, but I feel like she’s a dear friend. She is someone I admire not only because she is such a hands-on mom, but I love how she taught you to speak Filipino, and I love the way she talks to you and understand you.
Your mom is a force of nature, who I know is fighting tooth and nail not just for herself, but for her family. I will continue to pray for her and for you, Gaby and Alexa.
With all my love,
Teacher Thumby