Dearest G,
Kahapon pa sana ko ito i-kwento… But we were so hang-up that hanggang ngayon ay natatawa kami pag naiisip namin. Ganito ang typical Sunday family day sa bahay ng sister ko: Escaping from the hot summer day, my siblings (sister and youngest brother), me, and my Papa were all holed-in the air-conditioned room just randomly talking any thing that we had in mind. My sis usually plays on her tablet; brother seriously napping (sobrang antukin), while me and Papa on our usual kulitan routine. Below was how our kulitan went: Me: Alam mo Papa, na pag isip-isip ko na ikaw ang pinaka-swerteng tatay sa buong Pilipinas. Papa: At bakit mo naman nasabi ito, anak? Me: Kasi nagka roon ka ng anak na kagaya ko. Bihirang bihira ang mga tao na kagaya ko. Papa: (Bursting with laughter) A ganun! Sige Dennis, hanap ka muna ng makaka-usap. Me: Hahaha… My Sister: (tawa rin ng tawa) Hoy kayong dalawa, naglolokohan na naman kayo. My Brother: (gising pala) Hahaha… It was really a fun-scene, but the scene-context was actually sad. My sister was showing my Papa old pictures of his best friend posted on Facebook. An album compiled by his best-friend’s children, paying tribute to their ailing father. His only living last “barkada” has few weeks to live, and, with his best-friend’s impending loss, are the fading memories of their youth and times . Being the last one left, my Papa has the burden to remember their past, but no one to share to re-live them through. Maybe, that is one reason that Alzheimer has become a refuge…it seems better to forget than to remember and realizes you are alone…forgetfulness is a bliss when you are faced with hollowing loneliness… Hope this letter did not make you sad. I think we (siblings and I) found a way to enliven my father…cheering him up to remind that we are here loving him still. D. PS: Writing this letter makes me feel light and happy…Huwag ka sanang mag sasawa sa mga sulat ko. Ingat lang at Happy Birthday sa Mama mo…Love them as long as you still have them…love them more even it seems they had forgotten you…
Kahapon pa sana ko ito i-kwento… But we were so hang-up that hanggang ngayon ay natatawa kami pag naiisip namin. Ganito ang typical Sunday family day sa bahay ng sister ko: Escaping from the hot summer day, my siblings (sister and youngest brother), me, and my Papa were all holed-in the air-conditioned room just randomly talking any thing that we had in mind. My sis usually plays on her tablet; brother seriously napping (sobrang antukin), while me and Papa on our usual kulitan routine. Below was how our kulitan went: Me: Alam mo Papa, na pag isip-isip ko na ikaw ang pinaka-swerteng tatay sa buong Pilipinas. Papa: At bakit mo naman nasabi ito, anak? Me: Kasi nagka roon ka ng anak na kagaya ko. Bihirang bihira ang mga tao na kagaya ko. Papa: (Bursting with laughter) A ganun! Sige Dennis, hanap ka muna ng makaka-usap. Me: Hahaha… My Sister: (tawa rin ng tawa) Hoy kayong dalawa, naglolokohan na naman kayo. My Brother: (gising pala) Hahaha… It was really a fun-scene, but the scene-context was actually sad. My sister was showing my Papa old pictures of his best friend posted on Facebook. An album compiled by his best-friend’s children, paying tribute to their ailing father. His only living last “barkada” has few weeks to live, and, with his best-friend’s impending loss, are the fading memories of their youth and times . Being the last one left, my Papa has the burden to remember their past, but no one to share to re-live them through. Maybe, that is one reason that Alzheimer has become a refuge…it seems better to forget than to remember and realizes you are alone…forgetfulness is a bliss when you are faced with hollowing loneliness… Hope this letter did not make you sad. I think we (siblings and I) found a way to enliven my father…cheering him up to remind that we are here loving him still. D. PS: Writing this letter makes me feel light and happy…Huwag ka sanang mag sasawa sa mga sulat ko. Ingat lang at Happy Birthday sa Mama mo…Love them as long as you still have them…love them more even it seems they had forgotten you…
