She was the first person who was very nice to me when I was assigned in the Treasury Department 15 years ago. She was patient enough to teach me. She was one among the few with genuine smiles. She said she would like me to be her daughter-in-law and she will give me all her jewelries J. That I politely declined with my warmest smile. Her son and I are purely friends and that we don’t see each other differently as lovers do. But she said, “Never mind the spark, it will come later.” But young as we were and very idealistic, we gave importance to LOVE. She stopped asking me to be her daughter-in-law when her son married the girl of his dreams. That was when I became comfortable joking around her and calling her Mommy Ems J I cannot remember but I think I spent almost a year in LGU Victoria and worked in a bank afterwards then moved to Manila to practice my teaching profession. That’s when I met the man of my choice and saw less of her. There was one time when I introduced him to her when we were both in Victoria for the holidays. She said, “nagwap gwapo met ay anak ko a nga adayu” (my son is far more good looking than your bf). I just laughed and told her that he is also Ilocano and understood what she said. She did not take it back, instead she told him that she really liked me to be her daughter-in-law.
Whatever private opinion they have about her, I couldn’t care less. They say she was very frank and straightforward and offended some, I remember her as the gentle woman who smiles so sweetly. Who did not offend any single soul in their entire life, if I may ask? Who did not become a bitch even for a while? But She is not perfect. And so are we. But to many she remains to be the graceful and cheerful lady of the Treasury Department. I remember her courageousness and bravery. I admire her convictions. Her colleagues will remember her selflessness. Her smiles will remain in my memory. Her battle against cancer has ended. Her frail body surrendered to her illness. She may not be as beautiful as she was during her hay day, but her heart is beautiful. I will remember her fondly. I remember I told my cousin that I would like to see her. She said I better not if i will just cry. They know that it’s hard for me to suppress my tears and Manang Emy doesn’t like to see anyone crying. Because surely she will not just cry.
She is Manang Emy to everyone. And though she was not really my mother-in-law, I am glad that once in this lifetime we were in-laws in our unique ways. May you rest in peace Mommy Ems. Till we meet again.
