D E A F

Asking..
Trying..
Wishing..
Praying..
No one seems to listen.

Calling..
Pleading..
Hoping..
Yearning..
No one seems to hear.

Screaming..
Shouting..
Demanding..
Expecting..
No one seems to understand.

Begging..
Hurting..
Longing..
Aching..
No one seems to care.

Cherub Nikolai

Two years of your life. More than a year you’ve spent with us and the other part, you couldn’t be with us anymore. But we couldn’t lose you, you know we couldn’t bear not to see you, your smile, your voice, your funny antics, your serious looks and your sweet gestures.

I always fear that you might forget all about us. That you eventually learn to talk, not only the “Ba---!” and “Broom-broom!”, but pronounce words and names and you wouldn’t know us. That one day, we pick you up and you wouldn’t want to come.

Even though we just see you once a week, we always look forward to that. It’s always worth the wait every time you enter the house. Oftentimes with a serious sleepy face in pajamas at first, but after a while, it’s like you remember and then you warm up and start to give out that smile. When you talk spontaneously as if telling stories, with meaningless words, we would listen. The way you look forward to riding the car, knowing that we’re taking you to some place you like. When we tell you something to do or just talk to you, your eyes clearly say that you understand.

I write this so that after many years, when you’re old enough, you’ll know. We aren’t really your true-blooded relatives but you are a part of our family. We loved you, we are loving you and we will always love you. We will always be here for you as much as we can. Happy 2nd birthday our sweetest angel.

Cousins' Bonding

The last beach outing with the Marcials was way back when we were still kids. This year, the plans were finally realized at a beach ni Catalagan, Batangas.
And for the first time, all the Marcial siblings were complete, almost. With Tita and Papa and a bonus of two babies, Mavee and Ikoy.

Thanks to Ate who planned it all. Lij for the sponsored transpo. Thanks to Miro, for the very well cooked liempo, and fish, for dinner. Swimming in the beach felt like we were all kids again. Playing with the sand, making Marlon a mermaid. And of course, the picture taking where we all should be caught in mid-air, jumping. Twenty-one people fit into the family room with 9 single beds. Some bonding and drinking session during the night, then we’re all asleep.

The next day, a Max’s-sponsored lunch at Tagaytay. Then we headed home. Wasn’t able to rest much during the weekend, but it sure was a fun and memorable one.