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Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.— Anonymous
Last year’s Christmas was the happiest I’ve had in years. Though it was only the second Christmas I had been away from my kids, the time I spent with my siblings and their families on this most celebrated Christian holiday more than made up for this one occasion that I had to miss my children.
Until last year, the thought of spending Christmas in the Philippines again seemed far-fetched. First, I didn’t want to be away from my children on an important family holiday. Second, I couldn’t make Bart agree to come along because of his tax work. Third, and as all of you know, it’s the worst time to go home. Airfares are extremely high; airports, malls and tourist spots are way too busy and expenses triple with “holiday expectations”- just think gifts, gifts and more gifts!
But opportunity knocked and all my reasons not to go home for Christmas interestingly vanished in thin air. Our kids thought I should take the trip if I wanted it that badly. Then, Bart miraculously agreed to come despite his tax responsibilities. Lastly, I knew Christmas in the Philippines would always be special and the memories that could come with it would be well worth the trouble.
Flashback to our arrival at Ninoy Aquino Airport half an hour before midnight of December 3.
Bart’s cousin, Ate Linda Nejal picked us up and brought us to Aristocrat Restaurant for a light dinner before proceeding to her home in Fairview, Quezon City. At her request, we stayed over two more days. She took us ballroom dancing, a pastime she turned to and came to enjoy to take her mind off her husband, Kuya Henry’s sudden death not too long ago. I was impressed to see how she quickly learned to singlehandedly fill her husband’s shoes and grow his cell site construction business in no time.
Hard work, determination, wise money management but most important of all, strong partnership certainly paid off big time for this couple who, before his stint in Saudi Arabia, had no idea how to realize their dream of owning a home just like the three other families that once shared an apartment with them. In a complete reversal of fortune, Ate Linda and Kuya Henry achieved much more than they had ever dreamed of.
Besides our exciting trip to Palawan’s Underground River, Bart and I spent much of our time separately with our own families. It was the plan – to give each other enough time to bond with our own side of the family. So, he stayed in Manila and off I went to Cabanatuan City.
Fast forward
to Christmas Eve
My eldest sister Fely, now officially the family matriarch after our mom’s passing, hosted the family reunion on Christmas Eve. Although only the 3rd child in a brood of 8, she has always been the “go to” person on all matters concerning the family. She’s the glue that holds us together in good times and in bad times, never holding back help from anyone who needs it. I guess that’s why among all of us, she who laments being the” least smart” and “the least educated,” ironically achieved the most financial success. I believe it’s because God knows she has the biggest heart and therefore, gave her the biggest share of blessings.
Perhaps it was our humble beginnings and her childhood memory of many sad and materially deprived Christmases that made her as generous as she is on food and with people. Not surprisingly, our Noche Buena (Christmas Eve dinner) featured the most delicious dishes, with a whole succulent lechon (roasted pig) as its piece de resistance. There were more than enough dishes to go around, bring home even, when it was time to leave.
Post Christmas
Epiphany
More than the celebration, I thank God for showing me a ray of hope for the less fortunate members of the family. For among these poor nieces and nephews are children who dared to dream bigger than their circumstances. There was Sarah, who made good on the college scholarship from her Aunt Eda and being now gainfully employed, holds the torch for her siblings to follow her lead. There, too, were Susan and Ronald, hapless step siblings who saved their dreams for their kids but who nevertheless need a great deal of support from our side of the family for any of these dreams to happen. Leonavelle, my youngest brother’s granddaughter, pins her hopes on the promised cruise ship job after finishing her course in hotel and restaurant management to make a difference in her parents’ life. It’s a simple plan, not the kind that could make her rich anytime soon. But it sparks hope in this young girl’s heart as well as in her family which I say is a good start. Thanks, in part to our son Bart Xavier who breathed life into that dream. With her strong faith in God, family values, good attitude and some luck, Leonavelle could be the break her family ever needed. How much of a break it is, however, remains to be seen.
I deliberated a long time whether or not to share with our MegaScene readers this very personal journey; took me almost a year, in case you didn’t notice. The truth is, halfway into the narrative, I almost abandoned it for fear of a backlash. But I finally convinced myself that a clear message could resonate with those who can see the parallelism of this account with their lives. For if I must spell it out, at the heart of this very private story is the not so private truth and message that we are, truly and simply, our brother’s keepers. Hillary Clinton offered an expanded version of this truth when she argued in her book “It takes a village to raise a child.”
This Christmas, take time to spread cheer and reach out to those who can use some love and kindness.
Merry Christmas, brothers and sisters!