There are days when I wake up and carry the weight of the world like I always do—managing work, family, home, and everything in between. People often say, “I don’t know how you do it,” or “You’re so strong.” And while I’m grateful they see me that way, I wish they also saw the quiet ache behind the strength.
Because sometimes, I don’t want to be the strong one.
Sometimes, I miss the days when someone checked in on me. When my parents—especially my mom—would ask the simplest questions like “Kumain ka na?” or “Okay ka lang ba?” And somehow, those words could soften even the hardest days.
As I grow older, I feel that longing more deeply. The kind of longing that no amount of success, to-do lists, or achievements can fill. I miss having someone to call just because I’m tired. Not for advice. Not for help. Just for comfort. Just to hear someone say, “You don’t always have to be okay.”
I want to be clear: I am blessed with a loving, thoughtful husband who supports me in every possible way. His presence in my life is a gift I never take for granted. But there’s a kind of care—a kind of comfort—that only a parent, especially a mother, gives. And it’s that irreplaceable presence I find myself yearning for.
But adulthood is strange that way. We grow into roles that require us to be everything for everyone—shock absorber, fixer, nurturer, leader. And while I love being dependable, being that person… it can be so exhausting.
It’s a quiet kind of tired. The kind that doesn’t always show.
The kind you feel at night when the house is finally quiet and you realize no one asked how your day went.
I miss having someone who looked after me, not because I needed something, but just because they cared. I miss being someone’s child. I miss my mom.
So, if you’re reading this and you feel the same… I just want to say: you’re not alone. It’s okay to be strong and still crave softness. It’s okay to lead and still long for someone to check in on you.
And if you still have someone in your life who does that—who listens, who asks, who notices—don’t take it for granted. That kind of love is rare, and it’s everything.
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