Mom, every Mother's Day you used to get one of those cards with brush strokes of watercolors and poetry proclaiming my love and appreciation.  Cards that might begin to erase just some of the self centered stuff that daughters put their mothers through.  This mother's day, I grab a card with two kangaroos on the front with a simple "I love you" at the request of your two antsy granddaughters.  I scrawled a quick sentiment that certainly didn't do you justice.  You were coming in ten minutes and the house was a mess.
Nanang, every Mother's Day you used to get one of those cards too, although with a bit less poetry, more humor (it was from Jerry after all) but the same loving adoration from a truly grateful son and daughter-in-law. 
So in an effort to make up for the lack of thoughtful cards, we wanted to pay tribute to you, our mothers, by letting you know what you have taught us.  And the learning continues.  This is clearly not an exhaustive list but rather a list created by the exhausted ; )

Here goes!

Nanang, from you, Jerry has learned that money does not actually grow on trees.  To have a credit card balance is the ultimate no-no.  Because of you, we have been able to better plan for our future.   Growing up, college was never an option it was requisite.  Jerry and his brother earned their degrees and they now hang proudly, not in their offices but on your family room wall.  You and Tatang worked hard for those.   Through you, Jerry learned to respect his elders.  This point would be driven home by a subtle pinch under the table.  Jerry laughs, remembering the times you would pinch him with your toes.  From my understanding, you got quite good at that.  Watching you, he learned the value of patience.  Patience as the day is long.  You always greet the day with a smile and a laugh.  You embrace adventure.  Taking month long vacations in far away places, making friends with everyone you meet along the way.  In fact that is where you are right now.  Somewhere between Singapore and Rome if I recall correctly.  Most importantly, you taught your son to love with an open heart. 
 
Mom, from you I have learned the importance of fearlessness.  There were times you chose the less beaten path and didn't look back.  You stayed true to your visions for yourself, for your family.  You have fierce determination that lead a single mom to keep the home we were in despite all the financial and logistical obstacles.  From you, I've learned the beauty of simplicity.  You weren't one to fall for the latest fads (aside from that tye-dyed, rhinestone phase you went through in the mid-80's).  You never wore perfume.  You preferred slacks to skirts, flats to heels...you're beginning to sound like one of my confused Chippewa Bay camp counselors...but you still pulled off the femininity thing.  Lastly, although I don't even begin to come close, you taught me how to be a good daughter.  You filled your mother's heart with pride.

I look above at the two women who have had the biggest impact on our lives and count ourselves lucky to have two such strong and unique individuals guiding our way.  Your differences give us a wide range of skills to draw from.  Your similarities have provided a foundation for how we want to raise our own children...with generous, unconditional hearts.

Thank you to the two most beautiful women we know.