Sometimes, meaningful moments at home start with a simple question. Content creator Fel the Wondermom recently asked her family if they would still be exchanging gifts. With their budget a little tight, she was quietly hoping they might skip the usual tradition.
Instead, her mom suggested something different: exchanging appreciation letters. What seemed like a simple idea turned into something much deeper.
They spent nearly four hours sharing words of gratitude and encouragement with one another. Even though they talk regularly, the family realized there were still many things they hadn’t said out loud before.
Interestingly, Fel didn’t even plan to document the experience.
“I didn’t even want to record… I wanted to focus on the moment. Wala talaga ako balak mag-record, but itong mom ko kasi, siya ‘yung mahilig mag-document, so she recorded the first hour of us sharing appreciation letters. Eh nawalan ng memory yung phone niya, so ni-request niya i-record ‘yung second half,” she told WhenInManila.com.
She also didn’t expect the moment to become emotional.
“I did not expect anyone to cry at all,” she shared. “Noong nag-start magiyakan ‘yung mga ’to… I feel so much love and joy from their message, na para bang oo nga ’no ganun nga yung ate ko, o oo nga ’no ganun nga si mama, mga ganun.”
The exchange unfolded naturally, without any expectations or planned ending. As Fel put it, “I didn’t realize may ico-close pa kami.”
What began as a practical decision became something else entirely—a reminder of how powerful simple gestures can be. In a time often associated with material presents, their experience shows that sometimes, the most meaningful gifts come in the form of appreciation, time, and genuine connection.
Because every now and then, the best things we receive are the ones money can’t buy.
ALSO READ: She Lost Her Laptop in a Public Place—and Found a Little More Faith in People
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com’s Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com community at WIM Squad, and join our Viber group to stay updated with the latest around the Philippines and beyond!
