Love at it's purest form.

Usually, when I say I have the best family in the world, it's something I say off-handedly. I know it to be true, and there's no need for me to question it. So whenever I get reminded, no matter how unnecessary that reminder is, of why and how I know that I truly do have the best family in the world, I tear up and thank the good Lord.

I logged on to my facebook a couple of days ago to find that my sister tagged me in a note. I read it, cried, and again gave thanks. No man or woman, adult or child, deserves to be this blessed. Attached below is my sister's note.

Earlier this afternoon, I wasn't feeling too well. In fact, I had a slight fever. I asked Ally to watch the new episodes of iCarly while I take a quick nap.

After finishing her show, Ally woke me up and told me in her giddy kilig way that Freddy of iCarly kissed Carly. I tried to muster some sort of expression. I guess, Ally knows me all too well. She knew something was up since I didn't react violently to her watching that scene. She noticed that I was feeling much worse than when I took that nap. She started to get concerned. She messaged her dad and told him that I was feeling sick. (It's just me and Ally at home)

She didn't bother to wait for his reply. She's witty, this little one. She's a quick thinker. She tucked me in bed and covered me with some blankets. She gave me a hug and told me to get some rest. She insisted on making me some calamansi juice, which is what I do whenever she starts to feel feverish. I was worried. She could hurt herself slicing the calamansi into halves. I tried to argue but she wouldn't have any of it. She wouldn't listen. She assured me that she could do it. After all, she's seen me do it so many times. She insisted and said, "I'll be very careful, Mom. I won't use a sharp knife." She meant the bread knife. I reluctantly gave in. After about 15-20 mins, I was starting to get worried but since I did not hear any cries, I knew she was fine. Shortly after that, she came back with a glass of warm calamansi juice. I asked her "Does this have sugar already?" She giggled and said "No. No wonder it tastes so funny." She left the room, added some sugar, came back and made me drink it.

After I settled in bed again, she checked her messages and found some instructions from her dad. She read it twice then left the room again this time to prepare some cold compress which she can put on my burning hot forehead. She brought in a small blue tub filled with ice, rubbing alcohol and cold water. After dipping the face towel in cold water, she placed it as gently as she could (which wasn't that gentle but it was the best feeling in the world) on my forehead and covered my eyes. She fixed my blankets, took away the handphone ( I was reading some tweets) and firmly said, "Stay away from the light! (She meant the Mac, the TV and of course, the cell)" I wanted to refuse, of course. But I knew I had to set an example. She was doing the exact same thing that I would have done if I was in her position and she in mine.

She checked her messages again and updated her dad. Daddy told her to check my temperature. And check, she did. Every 30 minutes in fact, even alarmed her cell so she wouldn't forget. Daddy told her to give me some Rexidol too for my fever and she did just that. She went through my medicine bag and asked me to describe it. When she found it, she placed it in my mouth and gave me the calamansi juice to drown it with. I slept so peacefully after that despite her watching Drake and Josh (the TV series). I woke up shortly after the show finished and I felt so much better! No fever at all so she gave me back my computer rights. =)


As a child, I never remembered making coffee or calamansi juice or taking care of my parents when they were sick. I wasn't a bad child. But back then, I felt that as a child, the most I could do for my sick parents was to stay away from them. Don't bother them so they won't feel worse than they already do. Sorry, mom and dad.

What an amazing eye-opening experience. I'm overwhelmed by her independence and her sweetness. I know this may not seem like much to others but for me, it's a telltale of what kind of relationship I have with my daughter. I have no words. I am completely floored.

It got me thinking how every once in awhile, people remind me of how amazing Ally is. It can be Ally's teachers, principal, ballet coach, my sisters, my parents, my husband, my friends, other moms, random strangers. I'd like to thank you all for the kind words.

But to you Ally, I want you to know that I don't need any reminding. Why? Because I see it. I see it.. everyday. I love you, baby!

Ally, Mommy Mai, and to the rest of my family... truly, I am so thankful to have been born a part of you. I love you all.

With all that I've done wrong I must have done something right.

Tearful,

Essa

No rest for the wicked.

Yestertuesday, my sister and her daughter arrived from The Land of the Merlion. We haven't seen each other since forever ago when a couple of my siblings and I visited her family there last March. Stoked to be seeing their beautiful faces, I was part of the entourage who volunteered to brave the roads at 4 in the morning to pick them up at the airport. Famous to my family as being a creature of the night (or early morn), when I own the moment, Papa the Rolling Stone tasked me with making like a rooster and waking them all up from their slumber. I do as I am told -- shaking bodies, irritating voice and all, disturbing their peace and depriving them of sleep. They roll out of bed, bleary eyed and throaty voiced as they scramble off to their respective bathrooms hurrying to get ready.

As we leave the house, annoying habits emerge. Nail biting, finger tapping, lip biting, tongue clucking as we anxiously await their arrival. We look at the terminal, not once blinking as we search the near-empty area for a familiar face. Suddenly, my eyes focus on on two lone figures. Their faces are covered half-way by masks -- a must for travelers thanks to the A(H1N1) pandemic. My heart thumps, my breath catches. "They're hereeee!" I scream when I'm sure it's them. As they spot us, a feeling of rightness takes place. Completion. We hug, we kiss, we laugh as all of us try to dim out the sappiness of the moment -- no Pamandanan is sappy. As this is happening, Hugh Grant's speech from Love Actually plays on my mind. Airports truly are one of the happiest places on earth.


We load their luggage and we ride the car, all as if nothing has ever happened. We pick up right where we left off. We stop by a McDonald's, break our fast, and head home. As we arrive, the house becomes alive with laughter and merriment. The dogs are excited, the house help are excited, we're excited.

Our bodies soon feel the fatigue as days of preparation decide to take it's toll. We are lucky, for the visitors feel the need to rest as well -- thanks, red-eye. We wake up, not so long after just closing our eyes. The day awaits!


None of us are that eager to venture outside the confines of our home, but 2 of my sisters and I have been wanting to chop off our hair. Goodbye, long locks. You've been a friend, but the heat is infernal and I need to take refuge where I can.


The evening found us at my Aunt's dining room, shamelessly finishing her grocery stock. We looked at old photos and did more catching up before beautiful dawn called on us and good manners dictated that we allow our Aunt and her family to rest.

On that note, I'm allowing my fingers to rest and will get back to you with more updates on the morrow. DVDs, I hope you're ready to damage my eyes even more.



ALL GOOD THINGS,
Essa