So... What did I miss?
Ok, fine, I took a break for a several weeks. I needed to take a break from the writing gig. It seems strange that I would take a break from something that I declared was relaxing not too long ago. In truth, between work and the events of the past month or so,writing was the furthest thing from my mind. Sure I was still doing my free writing and pet projects, but those were always more spur of the moment, rely on inspiration endeavours.
I always promised myself that I would not force the writing, otherwise I end up finding the whole project more of a burden than a joy.
Still, the past Christmas season has been a very rewarding one. Yes, it was spent halfway across the planet form a majority of my friends. Yes, it was very cold here (Actually, I exaggerate, it was actually mild at times. But compared to the beach weather in Boracay... Arctic by comparison).
And yet, I would be lying if I were to say that I did not enjoy this Christmas season. This year marked a great turning point in our family in many ways. I guess in many ways the past several years have been leading to this time. We all knew that Ma was nearing her retirement and that she wanted nothing more than to finally be able to spend her days with Pa. You have to understand, my parent have been married for over thirty years, but have spent perhaps only a third of that time in one place together.
Over the years one or the other had but their dreams and careers on hold for us their children or for their spouse. Ma often jokes that she has spent more years here in the UK than in the Philippines. Actually, that is a fact.
There would be evenings when I would be sitting in my room reading and over hear their late night conversations and smile. Not bad for a couple that got married, had tea at Wimpy (a local burger restaurant) and not see each other for several months. Sure it wasn't the most romantic venue for a wedding reception, but thirty years on it sounds like a dream most people would love to have.
Perhaps I should have prepared myself better. I guess my brother had it planned out better. He after all, managed to get married and snag three receptions out of his wedding, albeit in three different countries. The pride and joy in our parents faces on that wedding day to see their eldest son married was incredible. Adding Sis to the mix has actually rounded out the dynamic, though it has prompted my mother to nudge me ever more so towards settling down.
Seriously?
But for the past years, we have all chipped in to prepare for this time. The house back home in Iloilo has been made comfortable. Items have been packed up and shipped off. and soon we found ourselves counting down the days to this time. Yes, we have had our downs as well. The loss of the restaurant to the floods years back was a huge blow to us all. We did have quite good hopes for that one. Still, Pa came out of that one unharmed. After all, we were not the only ones to suffer in those days.
The evening that Ma finally clocked out for the last time from the hospital, really became the point of no return. She had finally put her mind set to retire. Pa had put his mind set into taking care of her. And we, the children were preparing ourselves for seeing them off into their happy retirement.
We did insist on Pa cooking the festive meals. Not that we were lazy or anything, but in this family we knew who was the best cook and if we were going to have to celebrate, he was the person for the occasion. I did however convince them to let me cook one roast dinner before they left. I cooked lamb, which I knew was Pa's favourite. getting his thumbs up was worth the hassle, given that prior to that he had only ever like one dish I cooked. Mashed potatoes.
Before we knew it the day was here. Ma and Pa would be flying off to take a well deserved break. Ok sure, they will be back in several months to visit perhaps, but the dynamic would be different. Before, I lived with my parents.
This time around, they would be coming over to stay with me.
As I waved them off, I couldn't help but shed a tear, wishing if I hadn't screwed up several years back, perhaps this day could have happened sooner.
Maybe there would have been less concerns.
Maybe I could hold my head a little higher.
But as my brother did mention, Pa did give me a hug before he left and say, " You'll be alright. " It was pretty much the same thing he got back in the day. So I suppose that does mean I have my parent's vote of confidence.
It's been four days now.
The house is strangely quiet and I have yet to master the silence. I find myself putting on the radio and the tv, just to have some noise.
It will get easier. There is a lot of work to be done. I may be the king of this castle, but it still needs to kept.
Still, I'll take the silence knowing that it means Ma and Pa are enjoying their time together.
I hope I will be able to make the proud.
Now... where's the vacuum cleaner?
