Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Reverie


It’s so breezy today. I just woke up and it’s almost 10:00 AM. It must be the cold winter nights. For whatever reasons, I feel so high today, and looking forward to be full of joy and happiness onwards. Sitting under my tree, I just felt a barrage of good vibes. My heart beats so fast and differently. Today seems so ordinary, yet feels so strangely special. And I don't know why.

Upon checking my mobile phone, I am astounded of 14 miscalls, 98 Facebook notifications, and a number of messages. What? How long had I slept? Oh, I feel sorry for those love-ones seeking me. So I guess I better put it in writing for all of them to see.

My eldest son, reading from his SMS, said he dreamt of me two nights ago. But he finds it quite funny, awkward, and really crazy. He can’t understand that in his dream, he saw himself already of his present age – with his wife standing by his side as they held hands, and all three daughters giggly standing to my back watching me do the woodwork - as I was forming a top for my son out of an arm-sized dried guava branch. In my modest memory, I had him play the top, and he spins it so great. He also has some tricks where he would throw the top up back and catch and spin it on his palm. Or he would let it spin while hanging by the sling, and some further tricks that are so lovely for old people to see.
I first met his wife when they were about to let us know of their plans to get married. I must tell you they had a whirlwind romance before jumping up to the next phase, and penniless too, Lol! Kids, really… they think love is enough to survive.

I would never forget their eldest child. In fact, I carried her many times, even when she was just a newborn. She is our first grandchild actually. And yes, she got the face of my mother. All my folks would agree to it, saying the semblance is just so imminent to ignore.

For their two younger kids, I’ve seen their photos. Good Lord, they are just so beautiful too; their second child who looks exactly pretty like my daughter-in-law, and their youngest as another carbon copy of my mother. Well in fact, for so many times, I can’t help but laugh with the thought that my bloodline was just so strong upon my broods, hahaha..!

Back to those two youngsters, in fairness to them, sometimes they’d call me too. I’m not so sure what they know about me. I just heard they’d sometimes ask about my tale. But I’m all glad that they would at times say my name. Aahhh, I wish I had cuddled them too!

Scrolling on my Facebook notifications, there I saw a status posted by my daughter. Reading her post, I must admit, caught me – as always. She said she as well dreamt of me combing her hair. Lord Jesus, am I having tears now? Naahhh..! Cannot be, can never be! ‘Tears’ has already long been an obliterated word from my vocabulary!

Just a thing though. If anyone would ask about me and my daughter? Straight up, I would say; “We owned the world”! She was my little princess, as she still is. But why not? To me, she is the only girl in the world! I can’t say I loved her more over her brothers. But maybe I did – because she is my unica hija. There were more things I had shared with her because what I did with my boys was so common from my own childhood. I had never seen a life-size play house, and so I built her one. I never had a little sister as I am the youngest child, but I just loved dressing her up when she was younger. And there are more great memories I had with her, and I would always smile every time I am reminded of my princess. You must hear her belt out, because she sings so well. She is also a darling. With her being bubbly, giggly and always very positive, everyone would love her easily.

She also has just one child. Oh, and she was also named after me! I can always imagine their daughter as a baby, a very lovely one. I used to cuddle her up then. She must have grown so big and pretty now. I can see that through her voice each time she calls.

Did I mention that my daughter married my eldest son’s best friend? Well, she did! I had seen him as a good guy then, almost raised up according to my own set of standards. He must have gotten a great set of parents too. A very dedicated father and husband, or so I heard.

I had always this feeling that both my daughter and her child will be well taken-cared of by him. And as I see their plight now, guess that guy who took my princess away had achieved and provided them even more than what I had expected. Deep in my heart, I can truly say that I am so proud of him. Damn, he did beat me black and blue! What must had he been thinking then anyway? Shame me? If that was the case, then I want to let him know that I am not complaining. And there goes a loud ha-ha-ha for him too, Lol!

Just as I am writing this, I got a call from my wife; said both families of our two elder kids had a blastful (is this even a word now?) of a post-Christmas-slash-pre-New-Year holiday altogether. Oh Lord, I miss my wife so terribly; her face, her gestures, her love and affection, her kisses, her tone. Oops, let’s forget about the last part. Just between you and me, she doesn’t have a good musical voice. So please don’t let her sing, okay? Or she can ruin a party, hahaha..! (Don't worry, I will always love you, Mommy. Muah..!)

Hearing all of my wife’s stories makes me feel so homesick. Sometimes I ask myself what am I doing here, and why am I not having fun with them. But well, still I am glad they are fine, so very fine. I must still be a lucky dude for having my wife as my accomplice in my life's missions. She stuck to our game plan, and looking at our kids now, I admit she did well.  


Going over on other missed postings, there I saw another good news – which could be the best at the moment. My youngest son and his family are visiting our homeland! This guy I must tell you, will always be my priced son. I don’t care what his elder brother and sister will say, but he really is. He made me most proud than ever. His accomplishments are just way so beyond my visions. Too many surprises, gave us too much honors as parents. Nobilities were almost endless. But I tell you, he also had some sort-of dark sides too.

One afternoon during my days as an elementary grade teacher, it was that time in the afternoon before retreat when the pupils have to do some cleaning within the school surroundings. There I saw two boys – one obviously more sized up than the other – scuffling quite afar where I was standing. I was laughing deep inside because I can see the smaller kid just toying the bigger one, easily throwing punches here and there. Well, just kiddie fights, I said. So I didn't mind so much.

Until one pupil came running, hushing to me, telling me that my son is involved in that very scuffle. I had to rush up and separate them. He is an honor pupil, why would he even do that! But looking back, whenever alone, I would always grin recalling what I saw. What a sight. My son was the smaller child!

Well, my son married my good friend’s only daughter. We are from the same community, same religious affiliation, so apparently same values too, same cultural references to live by. So both parties are very much well known to each other. Just by that, I could never have qualms at all. From the onset, it was evident they will make a good pair. And certainly a good set of parents too.

I heard they got two kids now; a boy and a girl. And again, I was appalled to note that their son is also named after me. What are these guys thinking! They don’t want my legacy to die anymore? Makes me wonder, whew!

But on the other hand, I’m glad that my wife often pays them a visit down under. If only I could fly with her too so I could also see where they live, and how they are beating life there. I learned they just got a new house. Wish I could make some of their furniture and cabinets myself. Modesty aside, I am an FCM major (Furniture and Cabinet Making), just so you know. I'm sure I still have the reflexes. Must be peanuts!

I can’t wait to see my priced son’s family. Surely I’ll steal his kids away and show them my cozy place. Hey, but why not! I live by the beach front. Nice view and superb ambiance. Cold sea breeze all day, lots of fancy cottages for vacationers, and if they get lucky, they can even experience the primitive way of catching marine fishes. Pretty sure they’d love my place. Not to stay, of course. Just for a visit. And oops, not to mention I live just a few blocks away from my in-laws and other relatives. So it won’t be a totally strange location for them to see.

Actually, God knows I’m alright. As a matter of fact, I can honestly say that I am very much alright. All these news that I periodically receive, and all those calls too, there is nothing left for me to whine for. Rather, I can only thank enough that even when we are not living in the same worlds, I am wholly satisfied how they walk their lives. Twenty-eighth of January in 1998, it’s been so close to fourteen years now since I last saw their faces. Of course I miss them a lot too, just the same as maybe how they miss me. In due time, when all their missions in life are fulfilled, I know we shall be altogether again – forever.

Geeze, how time flies. My watch is now suggesting dinner. Well, I hope I can still have a little more Facebooking later to check for more updates, before taking a good bed rest again. Actually, my doctor always advises me not to tire myself too much. It’s just that I can’t help the longing anymore. With all such kind of news, who can? So guess I’ll be dreaming about each and every one of them tonight. Though I think I’d be dreaming of them even sooner than that. I’m sleepy now…

Good night Jesus, good night Mommy. Good night kids, and good night to my six grandchildren too. Until then, my most beloveds. See you all when I see you.