This Season of Lent, we will reflect on the Seven Sorrows of Mary, featuring stories of different mothers navigating their journeys of love and loss. Today, we meet Mia—a mother whose heart carries the weight of sorrow and the light of faith.
Mia’s journey began with the bittersweet news that her child, Monique, would face a battle with a disease from birth.
Monique was born in 2013. She was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay at 3 years old. A few years later, she was showing symptoms of ADHD and autism. In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy, or enlargement of the heart.
Each moment was filled with hope and fear as they navigated countless hospital visits, therapy, and treatments.
“Based sa Pedia Cardio, 9 months ra daw si Monique tungod kay ang Ejection Fraction sa iyang heart pagka-admit last 2021 kay 15% nalang which is very low. Pero, the rewarding part of being Monique’s mother is seeing her nga mo-smile all the time to greet people she knows. To see her confident bisag maglisod gihapon og storya at 11 years old,” said Mia.
Through it all, Mia leaned heavily on her faith in God—an unwavering belief that guided her through sleepless nights and tearful days.
“Sa panahon natawo si Monique ug gi tan-aw sa akong mama, niingun siya nga gipahulam rani sa Ginoo ning bataa. That was 2013. But, kana nga pulong sa akong mama nitatak nako and I never thought nga natinuod gyod diay. Para nako maayo lang ko mag-ingon verbally nga mo-share ko sa lain nga situation sa akong anak — anytime kapuyon ang iyang heart, pwede mo-stop, and to share to others the awareness unsay possible causes sa iyang condition. Pero ang kinabuhi sa akong anak dili namo hawak. Ug ang Ginoo na gani ang mokuha niini, wala natay mabuhat. Bisan unsaon pag-prepare ang kaugalingon, inig abot nas takna sakit japun kaayo,” said Mia.
In 2024, Mia faced the moment she feared the most: she lost her precious child. Yet in her profound grief lies an inspiring testament to love. While she mourns the absence of her little one—the laughter that will never echo within their home—Mia also finds solace in knowing that her child is free from pain.
“That time nga nakita namo nga gitabang na siya sa doctors, kadto ako kay kalma ra nagtan-aw hoping ma-revive pa siya. Kaso 40mins na siya with 17 epi already. Mao to ang pinakasakit that we need to stop the process na kay kada mobalik iyang pulse, mag-action na pod siyag cardiac arrest. To see her almost lifeless ang pinakasakit nako nga nakita, pero I was blessed to stay calm but was already crying and hurt inside. Sa akong pagtuo sa Ginoo, usahay gusto mi mag-wish nga naka-survive si Monique adtong adlawa, pero naka-ingon pod mi nga gikuha na siya sa Ginoo aron mahupay na ang iyang kalisod. Tungod kay dili lage kaayo maka express akong anak tungod sa iyang speech problems, dili mi makabalo sa iyang tinuod nga gibati if naunsa siya. Nagguol mi nga mapasalamaton nga wala na siya mag-antos. Pero sakit gihapon nga wala na siya,” she said.
Mia’s story reminds us that even in our darkest hours, faith can be a powerful source of comfort. She embodies a mother’s resilience; through every sorrow endured, she holds steadfast to trust in God’s greater plan.
As we reflect on these Seven Sorrows this Lent, let us honor Mia’s strength and those like her who remind us that even amidst deep pain, love remains eternal—even when life feels unbearably heavy.