When did you realize how selfish you can be?

Mine was in November 2016.

We had an office competition to decorate our stations for Christmas. I don’t even remember what the prize was, but this was a time that I was in love with my job, I loved being in Manila, I was earning my own money for the first time, fresh graduate, and I was obsessed with my Bachelorette life.

I wasn’t supposed to come home one weekend because I wanted to spend that Friday night and Saturday morning decorating. But my mom called, told me to come home.

I got so annoyed and mad. I fought it, and she had to shout at me over the phone just to get me to budge.

That same Friday night, I got home, sister was there, and mom sat us down.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer, stage 2.”

Imagine, I tried to fight her in her time of need. Her big news, that she physically, mentally and emotionally had to prepare for, for weeks, was shoved into a corner just for a measly Christmas party competition. How selfish was I?

That will always be my biggest reality check.

Since then, I swore I would come running to anyone dear to me, no questions asked, when they needed me.

There are times to be a child, and times to be an adult. Kaibigan, our parents are not getting any younger. Don’t wait for a reality check like mine.