Can a Woman Forget the Child She Bore?

This is the story of Linda (not her real name). She came from a
poor family in the province and migrated to the capital city to
earn a living. It was while in the city that she got married,
bore four children, and worked as a laundry woman to several
households.

An unfortunate thing happened when Linda was in the early years
of her marriage. Her husband got involved in a drinking bout,
which ended up in a brawl were he was stabbed to death. So,
widowed at such a young age, Linda had to take care of the basic
needs of her four children on her own. Because of her obedience
to her employer, before her husband died, she consented to
legalize her marriage. And so, after her husband's death, she
was able to claim the death benefit and other privileges that
are connected with a legal marriage.

Since Linda was still a young mother, she decided to enter into
a second marriage. In this second marriage, she bore two more
children. Now that she has a new family, Linda worked even
harder - without neglecting the needs of her children by her
first marriage (most of whom were already in their teens). The
children of her first marriage lived with her mother in the
province where they all went to school - provided by tuition by
Linda's double-time work and jobs.

As time went on, an unfortunate thing happened again in Linda's
life. Linda's second husband died in his sleep. It might have
been due to a rupture in one of his glands (since he had been
drinking the night before) - and which is locally termed at
"bangungot". This was a great stress and distress for Linda as
she is now responsible for two marriages without support from a
husband.

But Linda never gave up. She never lost her faith and hope in
God. And she never neglected her responsibilities as a mother
of six children. So even despite her now "tripled" job - serving
three families and households with her laundry tasks and other
househelp duties, Linda still faithfully goes to Sunday Mass in
the evening, praying to God for strength to carry the weight of
her responsibilities. Only her two daughters were able to finish
high school. (Linda herself did not finish elementary schooling).
One of her sons quit high school and just sought employment as
a driver. Her other son now joined his brother to obtain also
employment while the opportunity of a summer vacation from school
permitted him. Her two children from the second marriage are
with her mother also - with the youngest, a girl, suffering from
primary complex.

Despite all her problems and burdens, Linda never ceases to be of
good service to the households she serves. Because of the
difficulties of the time, she is doing many jobs - equivalent to
three personnel. Though she is highly compensated, her employer
always reminds the family members whom Linda serves to treat
Linda gently and not to put any additional pressure on her. In
these hard, difficult and stressful times, it is almost
impossible to get the services of the quality that Linda gives
to her work - a quality that is rooted in the love she has for
her six children.

Linda is made of the stuff probably similar to the stuff martyrs
are made of. Previously plump and a bit stout, because of the
stress of great losses in her life, Linda has become thinner.
Even when some of her elder children, her daughters who are now
also young mothers, had lost their jobs, she continues to support
them. She truly is an example of the scripture passage that
refers to God's love: "Can a woman forget her own baby and not
love the child she bore? Even if a mother should forget her
child, I will never forget you". (Isaiah 49:15)