MYTH: Hasty family togetherness does not achieve firm alliance and joy.
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| Image Source: Jocelyn M. Mediavillo |
FACT: Despite fleeting, family togetherness still achieves sturdy kinship and joy.
This fact may just be an opinion for others, and I will respect it. However, based on our previous experiences as a family this is not the first instant when we've proven the veracity of this statement. For no matter how limited our time is, expect that we'll take full advantage of it. It’s in our DNA.
Waking up early morning of November 3, we knew that our less than 24-hour stay in Camp Sirums was already ticking. Still, we faced the new day with a rejuvenated spirit.
Eventually, the call to placate our hungry stomachs ended the musing.
Well-loved table, here we come! Tee-hee!
Our breakfast in Camp Sirums was as generous as our November 2 meals. Dan and Waning made sure that we would all be satiated and smiling afterwards.
As agreed upon, we had to leave the beach resort at 0800. Target time of arrival in Legazpi City was around 1300 which would give my son and me time to rest in the hotel before our departure at 1850 that Sunday. With the remaining two hours, I aborted my plan of swimming again because of the cold water temperature. Only Dan and her daughter swam while the rest of us began packing.
All ready to go, I first had this photo and sent it to my eldest son. His “dream” car as our backdrop, I knew he'd react positively upon seeing that his Kuya Dan now owns a 4x4 open back vehicle with all those off-road accessories.
And as a habit, I did a final check of the cabin and prepared to leave.
Retracing the route from Legazpi City we anticipated that our travel would be shorter. We're certain that we'd no longer commit a wrong turn due to familiarization. So, I let Dan usher us again. Admittedly the drive from Siruma, Camarines Sur doubled my enjoyment. And this intense feeling was raised to a bar higher after three hours of driving when we decided to eat lunch in the famous DJC Halo-Halo and Snack Inn in Tiwi, Albay. I could barely conceal my delight!
Being a Sunday, DJC was fully packed. Lucky us when one table was available, but it was small for us eight. After a few minutes of waiting, my niece was able to secure a separate table for her family.
It did not take us long to wait for our order. Customer service in DJC is highly-recommended! When our food was served, I reacted why Cristy, our lunch sponsor, ordered a lot. She replied that she told the staff at the counter that she's ordering everything that was on display in the eskaparate (glass case) and even those that were not. Hahahahahaha...
If I had more than two thumbs, I'd be flashing all of them to DJC. Gabos masiram! (Everything was delicious!) Gabos lutong-harong! (Everything was home-made!) Their patatim (braised pork leg) and cocidong sira (fish and vegetable sour soup) were super delectable! I didn't order bihon guisado (stir-fried noodles), but Cristy ordered it since she knew that I loved this dish plus according to her, it’s my prize for doing a wonderful job in driving. Salamatononononon tabi, sister!
We failed to feast on everything that we ordered though. On the other hand, nothing was left of our dessert!
I know now why DJC didn't want to sell its recipe to LCC (Liberty Commercial Center) or to SM. It's iconic taste is something to die for. If we were not running out of time, perhaps I could have ordered another one. Seriously!
Right after finishing our meal, we went back on our way. While traversing Tiwi highway, I clearly recognized it as part of the Mayon 360 ultramarathon where I ran three times: years 2014, 2015 and 2018. Seeing it handed me conflicting emotions especially my first.
As predicted, we arrived at the hotel car park before 1330. Upon alighting from the vehicle I endorsed it to Jai who would drive her car to their residence. I released a sigh of relief and whispered "Thank you, Lord, for our safe trip and the fair weather." I didn't feel any exhaustion. Contentment filled my heart!
When we entered our room, I lay down and reviewed our photos. Then, something dawned upon me! There were emblematic occurrences in Camp Sirums which would serve as good reminders for our tribo (tribe) even though we’re incomplete.
The first was the appearance of the rainbow.
This beautiful natural phenomenon brought a message of inspiration to be constantly hopeful and optimistic. That amidst the adversities that we go through in our lives, something good and bright awaits us. Mythically we were told that one could find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Clearly it's a metaphor wherein a pot of gold symbolizes a dream, a wish or an ultimate aim that seemed to be unattainable but once realized would give us pure bliss.
Second was the swing.
- Since the symbolisms of a swing are subjective and context-dependent, I personally picked "symbol of instability in our life" as its representation. Speaking from experience I would liken the swing to making wrong decisions in our lives which we must learn from. Once processed and rationalized about, we’re expected not to repeat them. So if right decisions were made, we would get ourselves back on track and finally would attain our set goals.
And third was the solitary tree.
Looking at this solitary tree, I swiftly affixed "isolation" as its depiction. Being totally disconnected is a situation where an individual may opt to be in. But, imagine being alone without support in the face of life's vicissitudes? As the cliché saying goes “No man is an island.” This is where the importance of family comes in. During our trying times, our family becomes our steady anchor. Just like a human being, sooner or later this tree may cease living due to the absence of one’s own species.
These were the essential life lessons (FYI my dear granddaughter 😂) and self-reminders I brought home with me. I do hope my loved ones who were with me on this journey achieved the same cognizance in this short span of time.
I’m eternally grateful to everyone who was responsible for making this homecoming extraordinary. Looking forward to elevating this familial gathering
someday...
somewhere…
somehow…
*wishfully thinks*
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