Sixty-eight and gone, but was never lost

I must have seen it all, just by being the eldest
We started from nothing, which to others may even be less
You teach and live in Aparri, Mommy goes to NCC
And periodically, Philippine Rabbit would juggle me.


I was four, and Lore Lyn came by to us hushing
I didn’t like the name, you let me choose 'Caren'
Had our first picture together on Mom’s graduation
Soon she’ll be out there to mentor other children.


Another four years passed, a brother to us you’d give
Lore Junn had an ‘e’ just when to Saudi you’d leave
After a year you’d come home, he picks you from MIA
He grew so fast, you asked “Who’s child is this, Mama?”


Back to the dessert to provide us more from less
Built us a house to alleviate us with the others
Unfortunate events had pinched your heart and rethink
You can’t stand the camels, you seriously think they stink.


You came home, back to teaching, no more leaving us again
Wisdom you’d infuse upon us and altogether we’d dream
All three kids in school, just the duo of you couple at home
For eleven years, that’s the life you had with Mom.


But when your youngest pride was about to graduate
You said you are done; no more challenge left to take
Health was not your friend, it thumped you up quite fast
You hastily left us just when our lives were about to start.


By then I had family, same as your “only girl in the world”
Janina you’d love to carry, and Micah so delicate to hold
Those short memories with you are still fresh in their minds
You conquered their hearts - they still cry for you, Dad.


Your teachings, your antics, your laughter, just everything
You packaged us expansively, life’s tests can get a beating
An ace you left us, Mom is always on our sides each time
She steers us back to track, altering tough life sublime.


That even if all of your kids are thousand miles apart
Each thing you taught us always brings us a bright spark
A hint how to get around about life, whip it and succeed
Not necessarily richly, just enough to quench our needs.


Humble kind of life, that’s the very lesson you instilled in us
After all, seems we never got away from your strict standards
We are still the same guys that you well loved and raised, Dad
No way you can’t recognize us when we meet again for last.


Just too bad, we don’t miss you that much anymore, Dad
You made our lives complete, all we see is your watermark
You are reminded whenever we are filled with blessings
You baked us so well, how can we not say but good things.


Tell us Dad, how could we miss you at all, anyway
Our thoughts and hearts you would occupy always
It’s been so long and we still celebrate your birthday
Do you receive all our greetings and messages, by the way?


Must have been your sixty-eighth this fifth of December
The thirteenth time you’ll miss your party as I remember
Naturally there’ll be cakes and prayers and singing again
And yes Dad you’ll reign, surely we’ll be chanting your name.


There shall be more poetry, adoring your memories
You may have to wait and see our cheerful kids hymns
From the traits you bequeathed us, for sure they won’t miss
Because of you we become the creation of your dreams.


Happy birthday Dad, from Mommy who’d still call your name
From us your kids and all of your six bubbly grandchildren
You crafted a big one here, you must be smiling up there now
Your legacy shall remain, it’s still unblemished, somehow.

Waltzing Carla Juliana... @ 7

Our Beloved Jia,

There are just so many things I want to tell you today, and being lost of words may not be enough for an excuse that I can only say a few. So I guess I shall only pick the most essential thoughts that come to mind so easily:

You taught us the element of surprise; you came into this world three months before your due - being preterm (premature). You caught us quite a bit, but we nevertheless cheered.

You taught us the spirit of struggle; that even with your tiny frame holed with various tubings, you kept your composure and rayed us with hope by your imaginary sunken smiles, as if telling us to keep our cool. The fight was never easy, but the battle has to be won.

 You taught us the significance of the air we breathe; without ventilators available, even as my tears would drop on your thinly skin, I manually pumped your lungs as they were dysfunctional when you arrived. And you held your ground. And we as a team did it.

You taught us how to beat time; I had to hammer the highways in the first eight hours since your birth to look for your surfactant to give you a fighting chance. Divine direction pulled me where it was. And you chanted; "Bring it on, Pa’. I have this!"

Taking everything more lightly now, those antics of yours brought out the best among us. And now you have become a great joy to everyone as you’ve turn out to be just another important reason to survive life’s challenges.

You would not understand all these now, my little child. But one day you’ll find your way to read this, and fathom how you affected our hearts. There is no any better manifestation of what you have brought us more than the will to live life accurately – notwithstanding the tests of time. The aura that you paint in your cheeks never fails to amuse us.

You graduated from Kindergarten, and Papa was away and wasn’t by your side as you marched with your petite white gown. Mixed feelings that day, so I just filled my thoughts of you; as I imagined my arms were wrapped all over you, while my lips are pressed all over your pretty, lovely, tiny little face - always full of smile and inspiration.

 

And now you have just turned seven. All your baby teeth aren’t gone yet, but the kiss you plant on our cheeks and lips would always bring us to cloud nine. You are simply a manifestation of pure magic because you wipe away our discomforts so swiftly, and instantly switch our moods to be passionate about striving for a better life – always. Exhaustion and tiresomeness can be shoved quickly, and your music would toggle us to happy mode easily – no sweat, hands down, so big time!

Well, it’s still a long shot before you can overcome the shadows of your hardly fought struggle, but I promise you that with us all being tight and always driven, there shall never be another way but for all of us to get better everyday. Our team will be strong, and consequential difference will be inevitable - simply because you are a part of it.

Be it as it may, in behalf of your elder sisters, our salutation with Mama to your every achievement comes with our tightest hugs. This must be just one great start of your humble beginnings. I know there is yet more to come.

We love you, our beloved Kalempoink. Walk on, go ahead, explore the world, and soar up high. Do not ever worry of your tiny wings. Before those get tired of flapping, our love and support will lift you up again – always, and forever. That’s not a promise you can count on, but rather our pledge of love and support you have to expect.

All of our kisses… All of our love…

Our world is yours…