Mga Paboritong Pinsan

Sanggol pa lang sila, paborito ko na silang i-babysit sa bahay nila sa Palmera. Saksi pa rin ako sa pagkamulat nila sa mundo. Lumipat man sila sa mas malayong bahay at bagama’t nagkikita na lang kami kapag may okasyon, hindi na magbabago: sila pa rin ang mga paborito kong pinsan.

Una ay si Paolo, malambing at maaalalahanin. Pipiliin nya ang pinakamurang laruan at sasabihing, “Ate Eunice, pwede na ba ito?,” para regalo sa kanya sa Pasko. Ngayon, malaki na siya, hindi na ang chubby pinsan na kaboses ni Winnie the Pooh. Binata na sya. Dati tatawag pa sakin yun para itanong kung paano magdrawing sa paint sa computer. Pero ngayon, alam na alam na nyang gamitin ang teknolohiya. Masaya ako dahil hindi naging hadlang ang bihirang pagkikita namin sa pagbabahagi niya ng buhay niya ngayon, pati mga tinatagong sikreto.

Si Pauline, ang magandang ate na sadyang napakabait. Noong bata pa siya, iniintay namin palagi ang Biyernes, dahil sa bahay namin sila matutulog. Pagdating nila, mayroon siyang mga sulat na may drawing na ibibigay sa amin, kahit wala namang okasyon. Tabi-tabi kami sa kutson sa sala at manood ng mga Disney movies at andyan ang mga walang katapusang mga tanong na bakit, saan, paano. Kikay na siya noon pa man, pero bagay na bagay naman sa kanya dahil lumaki namang siyang napakagandang dalaga. Tatlo na ang mas batang kapatid niya at ateng-ate na rin siya. Kanino kaya niya namana ang pagiging mabait na ate?

At si Paulette. Ang manlolokong pinsan. Ibubulong niya sakin na ako ang paborito niya pero huwag ko daw sabihin sa mga kapatid ko, pero pupunta din siya sa mga kapatid ko at ibubulong din iyon. Malamang hindi lang talaga niya gustong aminin kung sino ang paborito niya kasi ayaw niyang masaktan ang isa sa amin. Wala atang panahon na naging chubby siya, dahil weight-conscious na siya bata pa lang. Noong una’y mahiyain. Pero di nagtagal, nagustuhan na rin niya ang pagpunta sa amin dahil nagpupugupit siya ng bangs kay Tita Rose.

Sa pinakahuling pagkikita at pagsasama sama namin, ang sarap balikan ng mga alaala noong sila’y bata pa. Malalaki na sila ngayon at hangad ko ang lahat ng kabutihan para sa bawat isa sa kanila. At sana alam nila na, “Always Ate Eunice” ako para sa kanila, mga paborito kong pinsan.

God-sent

When she was little, she was the sweetest and closest to mommy. She couldn’t sleep without three things: this pillow that she calls “lambot unan”, thumb-sucking and holding mommy’s ears. And she likes turtles. Very much that she would shape the Flat Tops chocolate into a turtle first, before eating it.

As I watched her grow up, she excelled in school, had awards that I never had. Everyday when she goes home she studies at this mint-green, Monoblock roundtable in our yard. She goes through all her lessons for every subject. Yes! She’s that diligent that even if there’s no homework, she will still review what she learned for the day.

One time she told me I was lucky because I was able to spend 21 years with mommy, she only had 16. But I didn’t think so. Mommy loved her very much and worried for her the most and she told us to take care of her and protect her. She struggled when she got into college but managed to finish the course that she took. (it sounded more than one course to me…) And I knew, mommy was looking down at her, smiling, with gladness in her heart. And I was the proudest ate in the whole world.

She was our “bunso.” But it didn’t seem that way, because the decisions that she made, the challenges that she bore, the fights that she won, the responsibilities that she took, were too big and mature for her. They say, the youngest sibling is always the most selfish. But she disproves this theory. She loves without conditions. Her kindheartedness puts her own self aside so that she could give to others. Her goodnaturedness makes her continue to give even though she’s hurting. She forgives even if she’s been stabbed at the back, and she keeps on caring.

An angel in her name, and truly, an angel sent by God. How would you feel when you see an angel injure her wings? Cry and get hurt? I feel helpless, I just ask God to hold her so she won’t fall. And in case she does, we will be here to catch her.

She need not call me "ate." She is my baby sister. Our one and only baby sister. And it's good, because it's forever.

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In just a few seconds, my life has changed. Does that happen to everyone? That in just a few sentences, your life will change. This day, I found out something impossible, unimaginable and unexpected. And indeed, everything in my life has changed.

Damage has been done. Hearts have been broken. The only thing left to do now is hope. Hope that forgiveness comes before it’s too late.

The One Who Taught Me How To Make Tuna Sandwich

Yes, that is Tita Beth. The first time that I met her was when she went back here to see mommy and take care of her for a few weeks. She only eats tuna sandwich. And Yes! She made us eat tuna sandwich every meal as well. Even though it has been more than twenty years since mommy and Tita Beth last saw each other, their bonding as sisters was still there.

A few years after, I got the chance to see her family. The first time I called her on the phone, I cried after hearing her voice, it was like hearing my mommy’s voice(only with an accent). A month before mommy passed away, she had tubes in her throat and she couldn’t talk since then. I remember her scribbling notes with her doctor-like handwriting. Yes, she couldn’t talk but she would write everything. From “It’s hot” and “I’m hungry” to her mushy “I love you”s and “Take care of your sisters” notes.

Back to Tita Beth, after the phone conversation, I went to their place and I met my two pretty cousins that I’ve never seen in my life. During the overnight stay, I got the chance to know them. Had a peek of their lives a thousand miles away from here. They took me to places I never thought I would go. Told them stories of my life as well.

The experience was fun and indeed, a happy one. I felt I have my two little sisters with me and a mommy. A feeling that I last had a few years ago, since then.

Thank you, Tita Beth. For the memories and for your blessings.

The Magic is Here

To take our minds off the sad part, I woke up and said, “Enchanted Kingdom tayo?” And kitty and bubbles agreed. I really like surprise adventures, trips that don’t need to be planned or set earlier. And with these two girls, anything that sounds fun is a “let’s go.”

Many firsts here, first time for one of us to go here, first time that I decided to combine the company of my friends with him, first time that bubbles and kitty got to know him and be with him. This was also the first time that we will go here, together.

My last memory of the place, which wasn’t so good, was magically replaced with this new one. And we had a great time.

Goodnews or badnews?

After Suzy told me the news that their application finally got approved, I felt happy and sad at the same time, sad. Happy because I know it’s their dream and they’ve been waiting for this for so long.. but sad because I will have another friend who will leave and be thousands of miles away.

I never thought she’d be my friend. She seemed quiet and serious at first. But spending time with her, I realized that she’s one of us: jolly, naughty and funny and a whole lot more. She makes up weird dances and acts, even in front of other people. She’s very workaholic, even shouts work in her dreams. She tells stories complete with actions and facial expressions.

On the other side, she was always there in bad times as well. Unexpectedly, she’ll find time out of her busy schedule to talk to us when there is a conflict. She was the only one who stood up for me at a time where everyone else was scared to talk. Then, after that, once in a while, in simple ways, she will make me feel that she’s just there, still caring.

I admire her, for being who she is. For taking up life’s challenges with a smiling face. And with the next news of having a baby, I felt happy and sad again. Happy because God has given them the angel that they’ve been trying to have for some time now… but sad because… because…

Naaahhhh… I don’t want to mention it here. This is really goodnews, not bad. I’m really happy for my friend and I will surely, surely miss her.

Our Baby Angel Turns 1.

Yes! Iko turned 1 and we celebrated his birthday with a potluck lunch and a swimming party. He got a little scared when we all shouted because he gave a tiny-hand mark on his cake but he forgot all about it once he got into the pool with complete swimming attire, and he doesn't want to get out even though the water was very cold.

This little baby boy is the love of our lives. We have witnessed the nine months that her mommy carried him into her womb with mixed emotions of fear and excitement. Then, he was born and the twelve months that he was with us, he changed our lives. Papa did not care much for Sam anymore, because he has Iko to baby sit and teach different sounds and tricks. He taught mommy Cherub and mommy Mine to be responsible, to look ahead and worry a little, for tomorrow. He taught Lij how to bathe a baby and make a baby fall asleep. He gave me and Dennis a reason to go home every weekend to be with him.

Iko has this “to-die-for” serious look with a matching big-front-teeth-and-tiny-little-face. You won’t stand hearing him cry, and as Papa says, he always tricks one of us to carry him or to get him out of the stroller so that he could crawl around the house. I’ve thought about it, even though he tricks us always, it’s okay because the heartwarming “more-to-die-for” smile with a little dimple on his cheek, is a good payment. Seeing him with that happy face makes us happier.

Is Iko very lucky? That even though his real daddy is with not with him, he has a papa and grandpa in one? He has his real mommy with him, with a bonus mommy Cherub, (and Lij and me and a very long list of mommys) who cares for him? NO… he isn’t lucky. But we are. We are very lucky that God gave us this little angel.

Happy birthday our dear koykoy. Know that we love you very much and we will always be here to protect you from any harm. (I hope you learn how to walk by September.)