I just got back from my Lola's 90th Birthday bash. It was so very large. I think something like 300+ guests were there. It was insane. The party was pretty run-of-the-mill, but what was going on behind it made me stop and take stock of things.
I'm really thankful that my Dad-Lola is 90. My Mom-Lola died last December at just a bit short of 85, so that isn't too shabby either. That isn't the only reason I feel incredibly luky. I have also had the good fortune to see all my aunts and uncles from both sides, all together with their respective siblings. All of them. Bar none. This has never happened before. I'm very happy for each of my families as well.
While Mom's brothers and sisters were all together for Mom-lola's 80th birthday, they have not spent a Christmas together in 25 years. While it is very sad that my Lola wasn't there to be with them, I'm sure it was still something for the rest of them to be together as a family, particularly at that time. I honestly get a little teary-eyed thinking about it. But in a manly way.
It's even more awesome for my Dad's side. Some of the siblings had not seen each other in well over two and a half decades until this evening. There are eleven of them. It was a hell of a reunion, and one that was made even sweeter by the fact that their mom is 90 years old, and still stronger than many 70 year-olds that I know. I have not spent as much time with her as I did with my other Lola, but when she arrived, her first words to me and the manner in which she said them (A deeply, deeply affectionate "Ay, ang aking apo!") were the sweetest I have ever heard from anyone ever. I get teary-eyed at that too, this time in a truly "apo" way.
I haven't really been one for family. Being an only child with a more or less absentee family has made me this way, but after this much time with this much family in such short order, I think I have been wrong to try going solo all this time. Family is important, and I'm so glad I have finally learned that.
I'm really thankful that my Dad-Lola is 90. My Mom-Lola died last December at just a bit short of 85, so that isn't too shabby either. That isn't the only reason I feel incredibly luky. I have also had the good fortune to see all my aunts and uncles from both sides, all together with their respective siblings. All of them. Bar none. This has never happened before. I'm very happy for each of my families as well.
While Mom's brothers and sisters were all together for Mom-lola's 80th birthday, they have not spent a Christmas together in 25 years. While it is very sad that my Lola wasn't there to be with them, I'm sure it was still something for the rest of them to be together as a family, particularly at that time. I honestly get a little teary-eyed thinking about it. But in a manly way.
It's even more awesome for my Dad's side. Some of the siblings had not seen each other in well over two and a half decades until this evening. There are eleven of them. It was a hell of a reunion, and one that was made even sweeter by the fact that their mom is 90 years old, and still stronger than many 70 year-olds that I know. I have not spent as much time with her as I did with my other Lola, but when she arrived, her first words to me and the manner in which she said them (A deeply, deeply affectionate "Ay, ang aking apo!") were the sweetest I have ever heard from anyone ever. I get teary-eyed at that too, this time in a truly "apo" way.
I haven't really been one for family. Being an only child with a more or less absentee family has made me this way, but after this much time with this much family in such short order, I think I have been wrong to try going solo all this time. Family is important, and I'm so glad I have finally learned that.
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