The First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama, and Motherhood

C. and I were among the throngs who were at the University of Northern Iowa Spring Commencement yesterday.

We were guests of Douglas, head of Mathematics, and wife Prescilla. Prescy is our classmate Christopher's sister. It is indeed a small world to unexpectedly find a family of your friend and classmate in a distant city you're settling in.

Mrs. Obama encouraged the young graduates as they forge into their future. She spoke about family values, service to the community, finding one's passion, and openness to ideas as essential to one's future. We delighted in her references to Iowa - the viral interlude dance, Ali Farokhmanesh of the 2010 basketball team which beat Kansas, memories of the presidential campaign days. She seemed to have memorized her speech.

Mrs. Obama graduated from Princeton and Harvard, presitigious, elite, universities; became a high powered lawyer, but eventually decided to work for the community. She has hence stopped working as a lawyer (also because her spouse is now our President). Her passions are now in preventing childhood obesity with her "Let's Move!" program, supporting military families, promoting the arts, and of course, being the loving and caring mother to their daughters, Malia and Sasha, and wife to President Obama.

I thought I saw a little glimpse of me in her, albeit in the most miniscule way. A demanding, stressful career to be, education in a highly selective university, was not for naught, because a more important task of taking care of the family was at hand. C. wanted me to be home for our 2 daughters, who surprisingly have similar names with the 2 first daughters, Maia and Issa, or am I stretching it a bit too much? The family's visa was guaranteed through my work in physical therapy also. He says one should not be defined by one's profession. I am busy enough, with my work and the home. I keep the fire burning. He did not want me stressed. O sige na nga (yes). All mothers are working mothers. The family is my center. Happy Mother's day! Love and prayers to all.