Mom told me that Tatay and she didn't expect that they were still gonna have another child after Ate. Yes, I was a surprise! Ate persistently prayed and asked God/ess to give her a baby sister! Her wish was granted! On the 26th day of May 1985, when Mom was 36 y/o, she gave birth to me. I have mixed emotions whenever I remember the story behind it. Mom was in pain that day. (She always had a hard time bearing a child.) While she was bleeding, my sister visited in the hospital. She didn't worry nor bother to ask how Mom was; but instead, happily watched me in the nursery. That was my first meeting with my ate!
My sister is nine years older than me; so, you'll expect that we're not the kind of sisters who played nor went to school together. In fact, my memory, with her when I was a preschooler, is not very clear, or even vague, I think. I can only name two things. The first one's really from me which was when I accompanied her at the back of our church to have a picture with her crush that time or boyfriend? I'm not sure though. I was too young to know. The other one's just from her. She told me that I used to pinch her. Heeh! Peace, Ate!
When I started to go to grade school, she came here, to Manila, to enter the university. Almost every week, I had a letter and food from her! She used to send me anything I wanted. Whenever there was a ship from Manila, I always felt excited because I knew that Ate never failed to give me something. When my favorite bands had released new albums, I would have them because of her. I was updated with the latest trends! And of course, when she went home for the Christmas vacation, I still had presents. I had more presents than anyone else in the house. Thank you, Ate!
In summer, Tay, Mom, and I were the ones who came to Manila. There were also some instances when my parents chose to stay in Culion; so, I was alone with Ate. She sometimes left me to Ate Son's house or tagged me along to her office or to the field. In her free time, she brought me to shopping malls, parks, etc. I would have all the things (from my parents and her) I needed and wanted before going back to the province. Then, we would end up crying at the port. I'm so grateful to have you, Ate!
I spent all my elementary and high school years in the province. College was totally a different world for me. And my sister was there all throughout this some kind of challenging and fun school years of my life. She was even the one who selected the school for me. I was so lucky because of that. All I had to do when I was in college was to study. My sister took care of rest of the things for me. She was the one who did all the house chores - from cleaning, washing our clothes, to cooking our food. Ate also helped me with my projects and homework and gave me a piece of advice whenever I needed one. She was that kind of sister. Despite that fact, I still gave her some head and heartaches. I'm sorry, Ate! I didn't mean those.
Now that I'm already working, Ate remains to be the kind of sister that she is. She's still always on my side whether I'm fighting for trifle to big things. I can count on her most of the time. I bug her and text her almost every day asking or sharing something. Ate still cooks food for us. She still buys me things. She understands my mood swings. I can't ask for more. She defines the true meaning of a sister. I can't imagine my life without her. I love you, Ate!
It seems that Ate's been devoting her life for us (her family) all these years. I hope a day will come when Ate can take care of her own life or better of her man (to be) too and have her own family who'll look after her. I also wish that I can do something for her. I wish, I can give the most precious things, she's been giving me, back. God bless you, Ate! I'm not sure if you know how I appreciate you. No words can describe it. YOU'RE SIMPLY THE BEST SISTER ANYONE COULD EVER HAVE! Thank you because I have my life now. I hope you didn't regret asking for me from God/ess. ;) I want to be at least a good sister for you. You're one of my inspirations, Ate!
No comments:
Post a Comment