or Where Have I Been After The Philippine Bog Awards?

No, I have not given up on blogging.

The more accurate term would be “sporadic-and-very-limited” online presence. Though I carried my iBook with me wherever I went, I barely took it out of its sleeve.

Right after the party at Hula-hula, we went straight to Tarlac for the wake of my Lola. Like most families, it became a reunion of sorts, though we all wished it were in a merrier setting. We went back to Manila that in the evening, tired and restless. Our hearts wanted to stay and grieve with our family, our minds telling us about commitments and schedules. With permission and understanding from the elders, we returned home.

Monday, April 2 came. My wife fulfilled her duty as assistant principal for her school’s graduation rites. Meanwhile, I attended to house and family errands, tickets for Bicol were changed (from April 4 to April 7, because Inang, my grandmother was going to be interred April 4. And the next available slots for Naga were April 7.)

April 3. Iani, our 5-year old daughter took entrance exams at UP integrated School. immediately after, we hurried off again to Tarlac.

At the wake, my relatives, specially the ones from the US were already there, having just arrived from the airport. It was a time to catch up, reminisce, swap stories, attend to those who were mourning with us - you know how it is when somebody passes away.

April 4, an hour before the mass, I kept holding back tears as I was on the lookout for possible elevation of high blood pressure, feinting and those who might need assitance. On a positive note, as my three aunts were crying, our four-year old Tesa drew near, stroked their backs and arm and said “Don’t worry. She’s going to heaven.” My daughter empathizes and cares despite her age. Do you feel the Tugs at our hearts? =) And finally at the cemetery, Tesa whispers in a somber tone, “I’m going to miss her,” as we threw flowers on the grave. My daughter barely knew her great grandmother, but love knows no boundaries, neither time, space or distance. Not even death.

April 5 was rest day and more catch up. My kids had a fun time around goats and chickens and cousins and uncles and aunts. i got re-acquaninted with aratiles  - i don’t know how they’re called in English - and so did my aunt who was three months on the family way. when it was finally time to say goodbye, we did so with hugging and kissing and “blessing” - or mano, photographs, habilin and invitations and promises to keep in touch, - to keep connected. It took around one hour before we finally drove off - and that was because i wanted to catch what remained of the afternoon sun (safe to drive with daylight, right?). We went home that evening exhausted that we woke up very late the following day.

I came to know more of my family, their thoughts, how the lived. Sometimes it takes a very painful and untoward circumstance like a death in the family to realize that though you may not see each other often, the ties that bind are unbreakable. And the common thread is not just blood. It’s love.

We all need to disconnect and reconnect.

Note:  This is the reason why I’ve neglected to post for quite a stretch of time. Just in case I forget that this blogger has an offline life too. That goes for you too =)