A Good Memory
There are times, only sometimes too often, when I wish I had a different set of relatives. As the old adage goes, “you can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family.”
I haven’t been in speaking terms with my relatives on my mother’s side for a long time, maybe for almost 3 years now.
But about 2 weeks ago, somebody called the house and told my husband that a dead woman was found and we were being asked to identify her. All of sudden, I found myself calling my cousins, meeting aunts and uncles that I thought have disowned me.
What surprised me were my mother’s eldest sister and her husband’s reaction when they saw me. I was expecting the worst which is to be driven away. But what happened was like a scene from the parable of the prodigal son. I was at the church gate when she saw me. She stood up and walked towards me, limping because of arthritis. Crying, she hugged me and said, “We haven’t seen each other for a long time.” I wanted to cry but I admit I haven’t let my guard down at that time. I hugged her back; I was really surprised by her reception.
But thinking about it now fills me with a warm feeling inside. Her hug felt really good like warm hot chocolate on a cold day. I think it was one of the best memories that I don’t want to forget.
Right now, I am thinking about that hug again. And I smile as I think about it. I feel a little bit sad because I don’t think that I have totally let go of the past. But as of now, I have resolved that I would occasionally send greetings to my aunt and even greet her on birthday and on Christmas day.
Sure, we can’t choose our relatives but there are just some moments with them that are worth experiencing.
posted by The Filipino Worker at
12:32 AM
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