The Quest

The annual visit of my mother to the States always includes visits to her doctor for the once-a-year routine check-up.   She used to confidently manage these visits on her own with a sibling offering to drive her for the appointments.  But a year ago, she needed to be accompanied to these visits.  We took charge in filling out the usual questionnaire given out and sat with her as she met with her doctors.  (Still Mommy)

Maybe, we reasoned, it was because she was getting on in years.  Slower, more careful with her steps; quieter, more introspective.  On the other hand, she was easily agitated in unfamiliar surroundings; and quick to declare, “I cannot!” 

Friendship Across the Miles Series: It’s Yesterday Once More

“All my best memories

Come back clearly to me
Some can even make me cry
Just like before
It's yesterday once more”  by the Carpenters

“Remember me? “, was the first line to a message I posted and sent off to a classmate who I found via FB.  She immediately responded the next day.  And we soon were sending off messages back and forth to each other.

The FB encounter is now a little over four years old.  Before FB, my contact with P was via slow mail probably more than 20 years ago before I lose touch with P again.  My lame excuse “life got in the way”.

Friendship Across the Miles Series: Best Friends in Florida (BFF)

My nephew, P, had finally found work in Orlando, Florida.   It had been an emotional parting for my sister, G, and her husband.  Their only child was off to conquer the world on his own.  But as fate would have it, he was not totally alone.  A very close cousin, C, had graciously taken P into her wings. 

And when a couple of months passed, my sister, G, decided to take a vacation and visit her son.  Not to let the opportunity pass, the rest of us felt we needed to visit as well.  Besides, it was finally time to accept my cousin’s long standing invitation to visit.

After five hours of air travel, our party of seven (my mom, my niece, brother-in-law and sisters: G, J, M plus me) had finally arrived at the Orlando airport.  My brother and his wife would follow two days after.  That’s how much we take family visits seriously. 

To most travelers, Orlando means a visit to the happiest place on earth: Disney World.  To my sister, it was a chance to be with a sorely missed son.  And to our group, it meant a grand reunion among cousins who were a part of our very happy childhood.

Friendship Across the Miles Series: Forever Special

San Francisco will always be special to me.  It was the entry point to my first visit abroad 25 years ago.  At that time, I was enthralled by its many man-made structures.  The bridge, the cable cars and the quaint houses on both sides of its many winding streets.  Let’s not forget the touristy boardwalk with a variety of shops, street performers and restaurants. 

With each visit, I saw a different side of San Francisco. One year, a sister and I took a ferry and explored China town. Another time, we checked out the thrift stores.  There was an unforgettable car ride on a foggy afternoon that ended with a big bowl of clam chowder on a chilly night out.  

 A year ago, accompanied by two other sisters, a brother-in-law, my mother and a nephew, we ventured out of San Francisco city and op to explore nearby Half Moon Bay. (if interested, here's my take on that day: When Serendipity Took The Driver's Seat)  I can still remember how the cold wind wiped my hair into my face as we walked along the beach.

Friendship across the Miles Series: A Home Away From Home

“You didn't have to be so nice
I would have liked you anyway
If you had just looked once or twice
And gone upon your quiet way…”   The Lovin Spoonful

Asking for a favor let alone asking to stay in someone else's home in America (or anywhere else for that matter) does not come easy for me.  But with friends like D, there was no hesitation, no second thought to send off a quick email to make such a request.

"Hello D, would it be possible to stay at your place for a few days while I wait for my mother and sisters to arrive at a later date?", my email read.

D's response came soon after, "Yehey!!! Yes I will pick you up and you can stay with us for as long as you like :-) ”

The smiley face at the end of her message sealed it for me.  The stress of finding hospitable accommodations was replaced with happy anticipation of seeing a true friend and her family again.

Nothing Doin’

Sometimes, when I have much time on my hands I end up with even more time  doing nothing.  Does that make sense?

Well, there are days when I have nothing to pre-occupy my time-- all errands done, no friends or places to visit, not even a meal to cook.  So I sit and ask myself, “what shall I do today?”

Suggestions come to mind.

• What about finishing the bead work around a bottle I started a year ago? It sits forlorn on a book shelf.

• The bookshelves could do with a little straightening up.

• Did I notice how the mint needs a little pruning?  My hair is getting to be on the long side too.

• Will I ever finish the cross stitch project you started when you first got pregnant?

• Maybe now I can finish that book I  have been reading for the last two months already. (It’s still under the bed)

On and on a litany of possibilities pour in but not attractive enough to move me to action.

Daddy can you hear me?

Hi Daddy,

Remember how stressed out you were when you got a phone call that I had bit off my tongue as a result of being side swept by a provincial bus? Do you still remember the relief that went through you when the doctor told you that I would be alright?  Did you laugh to learn that it was not my tongue I bit off but it was the hotdog I had been eating at the time I crossed the street?

Free to Be

I celebrated Independence Day with my kiddos.

My son had been living on his own for 10 years now while my daughter is a newbie and is still learning the ropes of living on her own.  When I hear them talk and compare notes about water and electric bills, I get nostalgic. Was it not only yesterday, when they were chasing each other around the house—with water pistols?!?!

“What do you feel like eating?”, my daughter asked.

It was mid-morning and we had time to kill before my son joined us for a late lunch.

“How’s about a visit to a pastry shop where we can have good bread and sit around?”, I countered.

Guided by a magazine article on out-of-the-way eateries on the edge of the business district, she declared,  “I think I know the perfect spot.”

Green Tongue

For a whole week I fretted.  Every time I sat at my terrace and happened to look up, I apologized.  Was it necessary? Could it not wait—another week, a month, a year? The questions of the guilty.

But in the end, with the rain clouds darkening the blue summer skies, it had to be done.  There was no telling the extent of the damage that could be caused in the event of a strong typhoon.

Hello Again

Over the years since I retired, I have made it a habit to start my day by attending the 6:30AM mass at my nearby parish church.  Doing so puts me in a positive spirit that would serve me well throughout the rest of the day.  These daily ritual has also afforded me the chance to make the acquaintance of several parishioners.  Mostly senior citizens, a sprinkling of empty-nesters and working folks who have time to spare before rushing off to work.