Mama taught me many lessons: humility, the art of knowing when to remain silent and the importance of love and respect for all beings. The most important lesson was to never let your titles, your job or position change who you are.

I don’t want to remember our petty fights, or empty threats she and I made in frustration, or the pains I may have caused her by living so far away when she most wanted me to be near.

I want to remember the feeling of protection I got climbing into her bed after a nightmare, or her patiently taking care of my wounds after tumbling down from the bike, or covering her when she dozed off in her rocking chair in front of the television.

Mama, you taught me many things. I’m very grateful. But mama, the one thing you didn’t teach me is how to cope without you.

Alex David Rosaria (53) is a freelance consultant active in Asia & Pacific. He is a former Member of Parliament, Minister of Economic Affairs, State Secretary of Finance and UN Implementation Officer in Africa and Central America. He’s from Curaçao and has a MBA from the University of Iowa. (USA).