Our Golden Boy

His mama carried him inside her womb for 6 & 1/2 months. Right from the start of his conception, he was way too eager to come out. Complete bed rest without bathroom priviledges, tocolytic medications and close monitoring were ordered so as to keep him longer inside his mother's tummy. His excitement to see the world however won,2 and a half months shorter the "term" delivery, my sister-in-law was transferred from a provincial hospital to UST in an ambulance for an emergency caesarian section. It was my first time to  be a passenger of such vehicle, I remember so well the trip to Manila. It was fast and furious. Every minute was counted and considered.

On December 19, 2001, a 2.2 lb baby was born, the first nephew in the family. In my lifetime,save for possible dementia, I will never forget his tiny and fragile appearance in his crib the first time I saw him. Fluid lines  and life-saving equipment were hooked to him, the attendings' lines of "It's a critical 24-hour monitoring, let's see if he survives" on his first few days inside the NICU seemed forever and difficult to endure.His admission gave me my first encounter to surfactant, a medication religiously administered to him to keep his lungs going. Never mind its staggering price as long as it would keep the delicate newborn breathing.

Two months after, it was Valentine's Day, we fetched the precious child from UST NICU.Finally.His parents were extra ultra protective of him and nobody can blame them with what the family went through. Looking back, Ate Reggie I think even had PTSD . :) My nephew's birth brought ranges of emotions which made his parents,grandparents,titos and titas realize their resilience and tenacity. Moreover, their faith and hope in God introduced itself as the greatest weapon in this battle.

This little boy continued his travel on earth,he celebrated his 1st birthday with a Sesame Street theme-party with relatives and friends who all prayed for him.  My nephew was a fan of the Korean all-male group, F4. Their songs were his lullaby for a soundful sleep. It was "Epoy, epoy" to him. His first favorite toy was a stuffed pig which he cuddled every night. He was a Tatang's boy ever since. When he had to migrate with his parents,I knew I will miss him big time.

Time really zooms fast.He is now eleven years old. He had his first crush like 4 years ago and up until now, he has the loyalty to the same girl. He plays basketball ( I love it) and has fractured his ring finger already. He is jolly in assembling Lego blocks one time he accidentally swallowed 1 piece, fortunately it came out from his poop.:) He is my Koyang Miller's mini-me because like his Tatang, he studies with the TV on, has selective hearing when he is doing something "important' and has a high-pitched voice. He can really pull a Pavarotti piece,he is a choir member in their school. 

All biases aside, he is one good-looking young boy with long eyelashes and almond-shaped eyes. I sometimes call him Harry Potter because of his ever so fast- growing mane. These days, he kinda looks like Justin Bieber.:) He wears braces and eyeglasses. I am proud that he is an outstanding student even if he does not spend long hours studying. His favorite for life to eat is chicken. Once I asked him what if someday,chicken will be nowhere anymore. "Tita Mitzi please no! Don't say that, I can't imagine not having chicken. Me too, dear, I can't fathom living without chicken!

His maternal grandma describes him as a very affectionate and humble boy. He is expressive with "I love yous" and "Thank yous." He speaks in a manner uniquely his, the high-pitched, sweet and slow voice. I love how he gives advice to his Lola Mamang, "Lola Mamang, please exercise. It's good for you.Please."It was a hilarious moment during one FaceTime  when he kindly asked $10 from me as solicitation for his school tickets. Of course I said Yes. Doesn't he have the inkling I am totally financially dependent on his Tatang,Tito Mark and Tito Vin!!!LOL!!!

My only nephew, the sole Del Rosario carrier of our family turns 11 today. He is christened Justin Michael, named after his Mama's lolo and our Papang. And the pattern of J-M with the boys continue.:) Dearest Justin, do you know that you were almost named Kobe? I strongly contested it because at that time, I was not a Black Mamba fan.  Happy happy birthday Jakjak. I love to hear the your recorded voice each time the answering machine of your Texas residence greets me. Every act you show like in the recent when you showed your mustache to me is kept in my memory. Simply staring at your baby photos here at home and your new appearance and height delight our hearts.

You are the only child of your Tatang and Mama because you are more than enough to complete their lives. May God continue to embrace you with His love and care. May your guardian angel keep on shielding you from the earthly harm and destruction. We miss you now and then. Know that you are one priceless source of joy and inspiration to us. 

Justin dearest, we love you to bits. Enjoy your special day. Hugs and kisses from LoLa Mamang and Tita Mitzi.:)

Worse than Mine

My heart is in a somber and hurtful state now. I cried a bit this afternoon while deleting on my iPhone the photos of Crush and the notes for him. Looking back, it has been 2 uneventful years of my admiration and giddiness over him. I am sad yet glad to discover that he is in a happy state of love relationship now. I prayed for this, that there will be somebody who will take care of him and nurture him in a special way. That that girl doesn't necessarily have to be me. Prayers come true.

Tonight as I watch the primetime news, a larger and lonelier plight compared to my melodramatic episode was on screen. The devastation left by Pablo in Davao Oriental squeezed  my heart in a stronger punch. Hospitals were down, water and electricity left the site, medicines vanish as the increasing number of sick individuals continue to pile up. As a nurse, it swells my soul to see the physicians, nurses and midwives tenaciously looking after the patients under the shattered roof and torn walls of their hospitals. Their resiliency and oath of care for others is so palpable, this in spite of their own broken and tired bodies and emotions.  Parents were helpless as they witness their children suffer from convulsion due to high fever, diarrhea hit the little ones and fluids and drugs to replace electrolytes and lost nutrients continue to go low in supply.

And I ponder, do I have the slightest right to complain and sulk about my sad love story when there is this lonely reality that there are these people who experience much worse than me.:(

I need to do something. I know that simply feeling sympathy and pity for these helpless and sick people is never enough.

24 Days Before the Day

Christmas is a favored season of many,me included.Its merriment and jolly display is intoxicating. Longer lines at department stores,land travel time that exceeds the normal,happy and bigger bellies from parties,bonuses and expenses there,I can feel it and I am excited. One can never get enough of the holidays,no matter what the age may be.

Here in our place,"Monita monito" of house angels,nieces and nephews and cousins began today with "something pink.":) I now allow Mayet to turn on the Christmas lights and lantern each night,I'll deal with Pelco bill later on.Yuletide plates and cups I bought this week are liked by Mamang and we started using these today too.

Christmas is for all.It is for us to celebrate the season of love,peace and happiness.