Tita Eden

She is an epitome of simplicity, dedication, total self-denial and immense perseverance of someone for her family. I have never personally known anybody else who have worked sweat and blood to support her family while raising her 3 children to be good and responsible young adults.

You see, our Tito Wency passed away years ago when their youngest daughter is just a toddler. Having been a simple housewife to our seaman uncle has brought enormous challenges to her, primarily in providing for the basic needs of her family and sending them to decent schools.

The idea of a sari-sari store in front of their house is the recourse she took to juggle her time between earning and watching over her growing kids. From early morning until late hours, 7 days a week, their sari-sari store is open. During reunions and Christmas gatherings, she would courteously excuse herself or just drop by for a few hours so she could still open their store and take advantage of the holiday spendings of their neighbors' kids. I remember her giving me "aguinaldo" while soft-spokenly apologizing for the small amount she just handed out. During Sundays, she would attend mass at the barrio chapel which is a stone's throw away from their house. And after the mass, she would stride back to their store with the hope that the throngs of church goers will need to buy something on their way home. For Tita Eden, every single purchase, a small piece of candy notwithstanding, is part and parcel of their next day's provide.

Where did she draw strength from?
I think the answer is obvious.

I never heard her complain about God's "insensitivity" to their plight. She was always a picture of complete trust in God. Secondly, during All Saints Day, I can notice her spending a lot of time in front of the tomb of Tito Wency and I will not be surprise if I will hear her conversing with him. Our circle knows how much she loved him before and even after he left for heaven. And lastly, her children have been good and very helpful to her all those times. In the few occasions I passed by their place, I always saw my cousins either helping out in the store or studying their lessons, sometimes even both at the same time. They are always together as one family, through good and tough times.

Last January, we were able to hold a small reunion and Tita Eden and her family was there. Their eldest is now married with a baby boy in tow. The second one graduated also and is presently working. Their youngest just recently passed the professional licensure for electrical engineers after hurdling her 5 years of college scholarships.

What did Tita Eden have to say about all of her accomplishments?

"Sa awa ng Diyos ay naitaguyod ko na rin sila, ngayon nasa sa kanila na ang ipag-tatagumpay nila sa buhay nila. Pwede na ko magpahinga ng kaunti", she humbly remarked with a smile after I told her that she did it.

For a widow who sacrificed her whole life to bring up their fatherless children, Tita Eden is one truly remarkable and inspiring mother many will wish they have.