A Seed of Wisdom from My Mom
When I was younger, my mom would often tell us, “Matuto kayong magtanim.” For her, planting was never just a simple hobby. It was something she truly loved. I remember watching her tend to her plants with so much care and patience. People would often say that she has malamig na kamay—because almost everything she plants grows beautifully. It’s as if life just listens to her hands.
Back then, I didn’t think much about it. I just thought it was one of those things that moms say.
But now that I’m a mom myself, I finally understand what she meant.
These days, I find myself looking at small spaces around our home and imagining little pots of vegetables growing there. Simple plants. Maybe some leafy greens. Maybe a few herbs. And suddenly, I realize that I’m slowly becoming a student of my own mother.
Life has changed so much. Prices of basic goods keep rising, especially vegetables. With everything happening around the world, even the cost of gas affects the price of food we bring to the table. As a mom who prepares meals for my family, I feel it deeply.
Sometimes I catch myself thinking about how blessed people in the province are—those who wake up and simply pick vegetables from their backyard, or those who have chickens and pigs they raise with their own hands. There is something peaceful and comforting about that kind of life. A life close to the soil, close to simplicity.
Maybe that’s why a part of my heart longs for that kind of life too.
Still, even here at home, I believe small beginnings are possible.
I’ve always loved learning. There’s something beautiful about gaining new knowledge and adding new skills in life. And now, this season of my life—being a mother, caring for my children, managing our home, and soon preparing myself to return to work—has made me realize that learning never really stops.
My days are already full. Taking care of my little ones, making sure everyone is okay, thinking about the future, and carrying the quiet responsibilities that come with motherhood. Yet somehow, the idea of planting—even something small—makes me feel excited.
Maybe because planting is also an act of hope.
You put a tiny seed into the soil, not knowing exactly how it will grow, but trusting that with care, patience, and time, something beautiful will come out of it.
And in many ways, motherhood feels the same.
As I begin this small journey of learning how to plant, I pray for the Lord’s guidance. I ask Him to bless the work of my hands, to give me patience when things don’t grow right away, and to remind me that every small effort we make for our family matters.
Maybe one day, just like my mom, I will also have those malamig na kamay that can grow life from the soil.
For now, I’m simply a mom learning, trying, and trusting—planting seeds not just in the garden, but also in my life and in the future of my children.
