Sticking Together

“It could have been fatal had you waited another 8 hours to bring your brother in.”

This was the statement given by the attending physician as he went through the initial medical tests of my dear cousin, T.

For close to three weeks, T was confined in the ICU.  Oxygen and dextrose lines, heart and BP monitoring devices were attached to him.  He could hardly move and breathing was difficult.  His family kept a tight watch over him.   Without much ado, whatever differences they had with each other was quickly set aside just as quickly as the deadly bacteria took hold of my cousin. They shared one prayer—T be given the grace to get well again. During those uncertain days, love was the only force that gave the family the fortitude to take each day as it came.

Comfort and Joy

I had been putting it off too many times.  The year is about to end and I have not finished clearing up the last of the rubbish stored in my mother’s basement.

Last week, I finally went down to the basement armed with my not so original mantra, clean up, give away, simplify life.

But if you are like me, the tasks takes awhile as picking up one item after another triggers a memory.  There was my dad’s old floor lamp, my mom’s old pots and pans used for too many family meals, a petromax that brought light to those dark brown-out days, and a box containing chipped figurines for a Christmas belen.

Just as I pulled out one of the wise men, a thought dashed through my mind. Put up the belen.

Bacolod: Sweeter the 2nd Time Around

Since I came back to Cebu, I make it a point to meet up with three of my high school classmates over lunch.  Sometimes it is an occasion to welcome a visiting classmate from abroad. Sometimes it  is to celebrate a milestone. But most of the time, it’s a time to just let our hair down and be silly happy to be in each other’s company.

In one of those lunches, one of us suggested going away for a short trip.  We set the following criteria for that perfect all-girl outing:

·         Accessible: not too far that it would entail getting a visa, or entail a long travel time

·         Affordable: reasonably priced plane fare, hotel, and meals

·         Appealing: food and shopping trip worthy

·         Awe- Inspiring Attractions—a bonus

Why,Oh Why?

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:19

At almost the same time of the early evening—just when the last streaks of daylight finally gives way to the evening , I light the “katol” and set it under the table in the open terrace. 

The Evidence is Clear

Finally. I got it done.

I am referring to getting my mother’s household companions to take their health more seriously.

You see, they are in their late 40s and with hefty physique to match.   If they were to take care of my very physically active mother, I had to make certain my mother’s companions stayed healthy and kept up with her. But more than that, they need to do it for their very young children.

Initially, using a digital blood pressure monitor, I took their BP readings.  As expected, their BPs were on the high side.

It's In The Blood

“Why do farmers farm, given their economic adversities on top of the many frustrations and difficulties normal to farming? And always the answer is: "Love. They must do it for love." Farmers farm for the love of farming.” 
― Wendell Berry

My maternal grandparents were farmers. They knew everything about the earth and very little of the world.   ( click Family Beginnings)

Slipping Through My Fingers

“Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning 

Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile 

I watch her go with a surge of that well known sadness 

And I have to sit down for a while 

The feeling that I'm losing her forever 

And without really entering her world 

I'm glad whenever I can share her laughter 

That funny little girl” ABBA

“Mommy, hold my hand”, my daughter softly called out to me as we quickly walked to the airport cashier to pay her travel tax.  

Bliss

Last week, I was very privileged to witness what heaven might feel like-- twice! Two celebrations of love— one happening a day after the other.

The Return

My sister, G, and her husband were ecstatic. 

Their “hijo unico”, P,  was on a one-month long vacation from his US base job.  And they made sure to pull out all the stops to guarantee the best ever one month visit for P.

Travels to the provinces were their favorite form of bonding as a family.  And travel they did.  It was like old times:  my brother-in-law’s keen interest on 4-wheel driving, my nephew’s love for photography and my sister’s adventurous spirit made for the perfect vacation and bonding experience. 

Naturally, Cebu made it in their bucket list.  My nephew had to check out the whale sharks of Oslob (a first for him), had to get his fill on steamed fried rice (his all-time Cebu craving), and  had to give my mother a tight hug (or else!). 

Part 2: A July Marian Pilgrimage

“Do we still have time?”, my Tita J asked.

“Yes, Tita.”  I answered. “We still have two hours. The mass does not start until 6PM and we are close by.”

“Then let’s proceed to Q Park.” Tita J requested.

Part 1: A July Marian Pilgrimage

Ever since I organized an outing to Busay for my mother and her sisters (The Road to Happiness), they now eagerly anticipate the next adventure. 

Knowing how much happiness the simple trip brought to  my senior travel group, I committed to come up with at least one activity a month for them.

After our excursions in May to the gardens of Busay along the transcentral highway of Cebu, I arranged an afternoon of ballroom dancing for June. I contacted my mom’s elderly DI (dance instructor) who we have known for the last 30 years or so.  Although 60 years of age, the DI managed to out-dance us all.  My mother, her sisters and the house staff twirled their cares away in the tiny living room of my mom’s house.  Of course, making it doubly fun was the merienda spread of native delicacies: bico, bibingka, bud-bud with mangoes and tsokolate, and empanada.

SYT: Save Your Teeth

I am scared of many things-- real and imagined. And visiting the dentist is in my top ten list of scary stuff.  But like death and taxes, visits are inevitable since losing a tooth is definitely more scarier.

When I finally got the nerve, I made a dental appointment for last Wednesday morning.  I was overdue for my annual dental appointment and the knowledge made me edgy.  Will the dentist find a cavity or two? Will I undergo a terribly painful procedure?

Can You Still Hear the Birds?

Every so often, I would find myself standing on the balcony of my mother’s hilltop home.  Sometimes I would gaze out into the distant mountains or check out a bird perched on a branch with my binoculars.  I am so fortunate that there are a variety of birds in the area. Why, just recently I spotted a Kokok (Philippine Coucal) moving from one branch to another of a pinetree outside my bedroom window. 

The Road to Happiness

The candles of my cousin’s birthday cake had been lit. After the birthday song was sang, the celebrant blew out the candles.  Good wishes were expressed and slices of cake passed around the table.

At the main table sat my mother, her two sisters, her cousins and a couple of nieces—me included. Over cups of coffee, the past was revisited. Of people long gone, of places close to the heart and road trips experienced. 

Staying Positive

My mom turned 79 early this year. With the celebration came the realization she would need more than her loyal home staff to manage her needs. Being retired and the most eligible among my siblings, I have taken on the task. And I have relocated to Cebu to manage as best as I can my mother’s affairs. 

I blogged about the mixed emotions my siblings, my friends and I go through when dealing with the care of a parent who, once was so independent, is now experiencing memory lapses. (The Quest ; Still Mommy; To Everything Turn Turn Turn).  A year ago, I would call her daily to check how things where. I also flew to Cebu at least four times a year to keep her company. And when she had to visit my siblings in the States, I would be her travel companion.

Getting Personal with Katy Perry

Yes, you read it right. 

It has become personal ever since that fateful May 7 evening when Katy Perry (KP) graced the stage at the Philippine Arena.

In the beginning, I was not sure that I would enjoy KP’s show.  After all, she and I are of a different era.  Yes, her songs are catchy but I never paid too much attention on the lyrics.  Besides, I noticed that her songs and most of today’s hits are better listened to than sang.  Too much vocal acrobatics.  Not the straight forward tunes of Carol King or the Carpenters… Opps, I am showing my era.

Be Cool- Final Story

Saturday.  

The continuation of our 3-day weekend adventures.

After some brainstorming with my kids, we finally agreed to continue with the relaxed pace of the previous day.   At the suggestion of my son, we booked a suite at Seven Suites Hotel in Antipolo for our overnight “stay-cation”.  A quick check on the internet confirmed that it had everything we were looking for: free wifi, air conditioning and a pool. Plus we were intrigued to check out the hotel’s claim of being the only hotel that had a powerful Sky-Watcher telescope and their very own in-house astronomer. 

Like yesterday, it was a late morning start.   The drinks we had the night before sure helped to ensure a restful night.

Beep, Beep.

I’ll be there in 30 minutes to pick you up.

Bringing Back the Age of Wonder

Visiting Disney World in Orlando was way down in the bottom of my to-do list in my family’s five day visit to Florida. 

Unlike my 9-year old niece, who had her heart set in meeting as many Disney Princesses, mine was set on catching up with cousins and family.  Of course age is a factor in the difference of priorities.  I felt I was pass being enthralled by make-believe characters and could do without the adrenaline rush or heart attack I could get from a roller coaster ride.

In the course of the five-day visit, I found myself being captivated by non-Disney characters (besides my relatives) in easy-to-find locations. And the best part was: there was little or no need to pay for tickets to have close encounters with them.

Be Cool: A Story in Three-Parts

Part Two

9AM.

The alarm rings.

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I glance at my daughter as she continues to sleep through the noise.

I killed the alarm, stretch, said a silent prayer of gratitude for a good night’s rest. 

I peeked through the blinds to check out the activities on the street outside my daughter’s apartment.  Kids were already playing as a puto vendor tooted his horn to announce his presence: put-o, put-o, put-u.

Beep beep. Text alert.

Be Cool: A Story in 3 Parts

First Part of the Story

10PM.  I received a call on my celphone.

A PAL call center agent was on the other end.

“Please be advised that your 8:30AM flight to Naga tomorrow has been cancelled. Passengers will be rerouted to Legaspi at 1:30PM,” he said.

At first, I politely asked him for the reason.

Airport closure? No.

Bad weather? No. 

Aircraft trouble? No.