And She Changed Me

She will be named Marie.

I always dream of having a child; who doesn’t? Boy or girl, it doesn’t really matter.

I want him to be an artist, a musician or a painter maybe. I wish for him to be fit and become an athlete. I desire him to have good grades in school and be a disciplined student.

I yearn for her to play football enjoying the rain and being filthy while wearing her pigtails. I fancy her to become sophisticated but can adapt to her surroundings and the people around her. I want her to become what I did not.

Just like any first-timer, I am afraid. I fear that I might not be a good parent and that I might not be able to provide the things that a parent must provide. I’m scared that I might not send him to school. I worry that my earnings won’t be enough to buy her the things that her peers have. I am concerned that I will fail him or her. I’m afraid of a lot of things, really.

But if my first baby will happen to be a girl, I thought that I’d name her Marie until I met someone who belongs to the mighty Kanlaon. Everyone, meet Margaja.

It took me and my friends nine painful hours to climb Mount Kanlaon‘s Makawiwili Peak just to see the Margaja Valley, something which I am willing to do over and over again if given the chance. I shed tears upon seeing her and forgot about the arduous hike we did. I had a changed of heart. My Marie will be Margaja.

Then I thought that becoming a good parent is just like climbing a mountain. You have to earn it and work hard for it. There are things and people that will help you, that will lead you to take the right direction and trail regardless how difficult it can be just like with my climb buddies who pushed me hard to continue hiking despite my dead-tired body.

I have no intentions of becoming a Mom anytime soon. I still have Batanes to conquer. But If I bear a child, he or she’ll be one of the luckiest persons this planet will ever have as I will try to be the best for him or her. Thank you Margaja Valley, for changing me and my perspectives.

Dear Margaja,

You’d be a grown-up once you read this. But here’s one thing you’d have to know. I love you, now and forever.

Nanay

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And She Changed Me is an entry to the Pinoy Travel Bloggers’ Blog Carnival. This month’s theme, My ultimate dream destination and my pledge to turn it into a reality hosted by Robbie Bautista of The Travelling Dork, talks about dream destinations and how these can change people’s lives.