Jane is a very sensitive person (pikon). She doesn’t hurt physically easily but one unkind word or a voice just a few decibels louder than the usual or even just the slightest slight will cause her to tear up. And when hurts come, whether physical or emotional, she cries out “Mommy!” and goes scurrying to Mommy’s warm embrace. She would snuggle up to Mommy and cry her heart out, and in no time at all, she is healed of all the pain and hurt she is feeling. There is no physical pain nor emotional hurt that cannot be eased by Mommy’s warm embrace. And whenever Jane just wants to really feel good, there is nothing like snuggling up to Mommy.
I remembered my own childhood how we siblings would quarrel over who would sleep beside Ima. No sleep is sweeter than feeling the warmth of Ima beside me and smelling her peculiar scent which always reminded me of everything that was good and right about my tender life then. And when wounds and bruises came, as they did very often for me, Ima was the greatest nurse, always knowing what to do and how to take away the pain. It meant a lot to me to come home from the seminary just knowing that Ima would be at home waiting for me. A warm embrace, just a few words and her reassuring presence were all I needed for me to feel I am home.
Jane is growing fast and will soon be meeting many other people in her life. Ima is gone and I love making homes that my loved ones would love coming home to just like she did. It is paradoxical that as the days pass, I will become a smaller part of Jane’s life as she becomes an even greater part of mine. But even as the days go on, we both will every now and then need to lay down our burdens somewhere and to take a rest. I will always be there for Jane. She will also want to be always there for me. But I have my security for He who gave me life will always be there when I am weary, wanting to lay down my burden and to take a rest.
Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”