A Year After "Life Begins"

This morning seemed to be a very normal one. Nothing special so to speak. She woke me up at 6:50AM, just like she does everyday. But if not for my mobile phone's calendar alarm, so bad I had almost forgotten. Darn, today is my wife's birthday, her 14th since we were together..! I almost lost the courage to approach and kiss her. But she smiled back and said "thank you", anyway. I knew she noticed me of my forgetfulness, and must have just pretended and let it pass. So shameful for me. How could I be so insensitive. It was disgraceful, indeed.

A year after her life began, she seem to have not aged at all; still the same cheerful wife to her ever demanding husband (or so she said, but would not complain), and the more caring mother to her three wonderful daughters. Would not expect anything in return, but just shall never get tired loving us unconditionally.

The morning coffee that she prepares me each day would always tops Starbucks, because it has her love's calories. Every food she cooks for the family would overwhelm Itallianis because her heart is always in it. The way she still finds time to chat with our kids before bed time. The way she gives me a massage every single chance there is. It would be a gaffed world not having her around.

I remember when there was just the two of us. The dreams we shared. How we started with a very humble beginning. Surviving with just enough above poverty line, I can't imagine how we managed life's challenges. So tonight I shall tell her, "Honey, looks like we did it somehow".

This early it can be told that it was worthy walking with you all along, or hike with you even farther until our hairs turn gray. That if by chance I shall go through this life again, I guess I will try hardest to find you - for sole simple reason that life shall never be any easier if not with you. Those humps and bumps we had bested may not even bother us anymore. With you, every single trial in any form shall be peanuts...

Pretty sure our three lovely children will say the same. With the way you take care of them, they may never want another mother but you. Whatever they have become reflects your warm devotion. We feel great about you, Mama. And with your remarkable smiles, we are sure you feel the same about us too.

Once again, from me and the kids... Happy birthday, Mama..! Of course you know this already, but we just want to reassure you; we will love you always, even beyond life no less..!

My Friend's First Time

What would be the most recent stupid thing you have ever done? Of course you ain’t proud of it. Who would be. Silly! But you can always laugh about it, right? And most of the times one would even need a "friend" to conduit the story.

I still remember one Swedish colleague, Matti, who said; "When it’s about stupid things, it must be a friend". You would want to share some nutty stuffs, but would have second thoughts because you don’t want other people to find out how stupid you are. Self-undress? No way, Jose! But then, you are pretty sure that your story would make them laugh to death, big time! So you would say; "You know I have a friend…"

So okay here we go. This is all about me. But I’ll course it through an extremely careless stupid "friend".

My friend have had four cars since his first, all second-hand. He is not into brand new cars, duh! Actually he doesn’t have anything against having one. He just never had the financial capability. Tops! No further details.

His first car was 1989 Mitsubishi lancer, and was actually a ‘corporate’. It was practically owned by all of them three siblings. The money came from collective death benefits of their late father. So the car was well taken cared of. Just imagine, there were three owners. One… two… three. Need explain? Good!

They would use the car for long drives from Manila to their hometown in Claveria, Cagayan. 12-hours driving and the car would not complain. It conveyed them without any quandaries. Must be a great car. You bet.

But then it was my friend who broke it. It was involved in a three-way collision. But it was him who got hit twice; once from the rear, and another from the front passenger seat. His car wasn’t Knight Rider. It was crumpled like a bottle cap. But this was not his story. So let’s leave it at that.

Left without anything to use, and got used of having a car, he virtually bought his first personal car, his second if we count the first, yes, the broken car. It was basically the same model and make, though since it was already his very own, he spent some bucks to fix everything. Wow, it was almost perfect, except that it’s plate number would speak that it is indeed an old car. So he used it for two years and six months, and no any major concerns. He treated it well as the first-buy car served him well too. But of course he would not want to keep it long. Before it deteriorates, and before its re-sale value dips, he sold it and bought another Mitsubishi Lancer, this time an EL 1996 model.

Damn it was so cute, me myself I can really say that! I guess he fell in love with her from the first glance. She looked so lovely. Definitely a head turner. He pampered her with all his time. Put up a boastful sound system on her. She treated him best, more than the past two cars. His two similarly lovely angels were so happy about it. So was his wife. But then they had another child. And so his most beloved car doesn’t fit them anymore. It was hard letting her go, but she had to depart. It’s not that he didn’t like her anymore. They just needed a greater space in a car.
So there he sold her and bought a 4-year old SUV. Now even his other relatives can hop in. Nice one, he would tap his own shoulder. He just realized, it is what they really needed eversince.For all those experiences of having second-hand cars, he never had any trouble, maintenance wise. Of course the consumables can not be get rid of. Tires would wear, and so are the shock absorbers. Same as the brake pads, brake shoes, and rubber suspensions too. The battery shall get used up, and bulbs would burn. The radiator may need overhaul, and the engine not to be drained at all. Those are supposed to be very normal to any car owner. And if one isn’t prepared to such things, probably he ain’t fit to own a car.

But last night was so extra-ordinary for my most lucid friend. On his fourth car, he must already know every ins and outs. Ten years of experience maintaining relatively old cars must not be strange to him anymore. But then again, there is always a first time.

And so out from office by 7:00 PM, bound to pick up his wife from work, running at 60-kph maybe, his car suddenly choked, then slowly crept until it fully stopped. It definitely was his first time. Of all supposed car troubles, and the dumbest thing ever to happen, yes indeed, hold your breath... he ran out of gas.

What..! A car without gas? Stupid!