There are people whose love feels like sunlight — warm, steady, and life-giving. For me, that person has always been Mama Lucy. Today, she turns 84, and I want the whole world — or at least everyone who knows us — to understand what she means to me.

I would not be where I am now if not for her. That is not an exaggeration; it is the plain truth. She has been my silent anchor and my biggest believer, never once letting go of her faith in me, even in the moments when I couldn’t find it for myself.

Growing up, Mama Lucy wasn’t the type to shower us with flowery speeches about love or success. Her love was practical, woven into the fabric of everyday life — small acts that spoke louder than words. I remember mornings before school when she would quietly press a few 5-peso coins into my hand. She knew my mom didn’t have much left, but she made sure I had something for the day. To a child, it might have seemed like just coins, but looking back, I know it was her way of saying, You will never go without, not while I’m here.

There’s one memory that stays with me more vividly than most — the day I passed the board exam. It was one of the biggest moments of my life, and she celebrated it in the most Mama Lucy way possible. She cooked me rice humay instead of mais — something simple, but deeply special to me. She knew it was my favourite, and it wasn’t just a meal; it was her way of honouring my achievement, her quiet pride served on a plate. That gesture has stayed with me because it taught me that love doesn’t need grand gestures to be profound — it can be found in the simplest acts, done with thought and heart.

Mama Lucy’s life has not been an easy one. She has faced seasons that would have hardened many, but she wears her years with grace. She is the keeper of our family’s history, the bridge between generations, the living proof of resilience wrapped in kindness. She’s lived through times when there wasn’t much to give, and yet she still gave — her time, her energy, her prayers, her coins, her cooking, her endless belief that we could all do better and be better.

She raised us with a mix of discipline and care, teaching us to value hard work, to respect others, and to stay grounded no matter where life takes us. When I think about the person I’ve become — my determination, my ability to push through difficulties, my desire to help others — I can trace so much of it back to her example.

Eighty-four years is a blessing, not just for her, but for all of us who have been shaped by her presence. I am endlessly grateful that I can still sit across from her, hold her hands, and tell her how much she means to me. I know the years ahead are precious, and I intend to treasure every moment we have left together.

So, Mama Lucy, on your 84th birthday, I want to say this: every success I’ve had, every milestone I’ve reached, carries a piece of you in it. You have been my constant — my home, my heart, my reminder that love is shown, not just spoken.

Happy birthday, Mama Lucy. I love you more than words will ever capture. May the years ahead be gentle to you, as you have always been gentle to us.