Of “rearing parents” and being an unica hija

One fine Tuesday morning, being my emotera self, I complained to *tickled pink* how my Dad’s being stubborn about certain things. In almost every situation that I was, *tickled pink* would also undergo the same predicament. Maybe that was the reason why I never hesitated to bitch on certain things to her because I know she’ll catch my drift. True enough, she had an argument with her dad as well. In our countless emails, texts and chats, she struck a chord in me, advising me to be more patient with my old ones when they become irrational at times. She told me that when we were kids, our parents loved us so much that they didn’t mind putting up with us no matter how unreasonable and ridiculous our ways were when we didn’t know any better. They would take everything with a grain of salt when they took on the challenge of rearing us. She added that it’s high time to give back and do the same now that they aged and need us to be their strength when they can’t seem to look the world in the eye and give a fair fight.

Point well taken.

That’s the downside of being an only child, you have to endure everything alone. On the other hand, minding my own biz has brought out the fighter in me because I have to count on myself many times if I have to face my battles. Of course, there are my other family and friends, but it’s always sweeter to rise above things especially if you know you depended on no one but yourself.

I know I need to be patient... And be more loving than ever.

ode to tickled pink

It’s one of my good friends’ birthday today. She goes by a lot of moniker: Cha, Chachi, Chachikibuta, and, er, Czarmel. But to me she’ll always be friendship. Yes, we’ve learned to call each other “friendship” over the years, no matter how bakya it may sound. For me, she really epitomizes what friendship is all about – giving, understanding, sacrificing, loving beyond borders.

Let me tell you about how our friendship started.

Well, as early as 5th grade (gee, that was many moons ago!), we were already classmates. We belong in the same row as we were alphabetically arranged by surname – she, Cruz, and me, del Rosario. For some strange reason, perhaps we being childish and all, we started “fighting.” I really can’t quite recall what started it, but what we’re sure of is that pareho kaming maldita at such a young age!

And then we met again in sophomore year. This time, we’ve formed allies with the rest of the girls whom we know we’ll be friends with for a long time. There was me, Cha, Mikhai, Janice, Aissa, Oss, Tatinne, Cathy (oh, no, I think I missed someone). We would always hang out to our house in Paco to swap stories, pig out on junk food and to basically bum around. We all shared stories about our crushes (si Jay!!!) and we would mock some of our classmates and teachers (mean girls forevah!).

Sad to say, some went their separate ways, yet some remained loyal to the group.

When we reached college, we seldom, if at all, saw each other.

And then we graduated.

We started fulfilling our fantasies to climb up the corporate ladder (until now, it still is a fantasy as we aren’t so high and mighty…yet. We want world domination!).

One day, someone invited everyone for some catching up.

It didn’t end there.

We were seeing more and more of each other since then.

I found myself praying and saying thanks to The Man for uniting us again. The challenges we had to face this time are far cry from what we used to battle way back.

Now, we have to wage war against career, family, money, relationships and a whole lot more.

When I was struggling with issues of the heart (you know what, looking back, I find everything so funny. I cringe all the time!), my girls were always there. We were always together every single day. We would drown ourselves with coffee, food, shopping and we would always laugh our hearts out.

Of course, within a group, there will always be little cliques.

In ours, Cha is my clique.

She was sooooo patient in listening to all my rants about life. Ang nakakatawa, we experience almost the same things at the exact same time. That’s why I’m overly thankful for having her in my life. She never passes judgment on me, she even spoils me rotten (in a good way ha?). She says all the right things when I need to hear them. I believe that its God’s way of saying that He is just beside me all the time Chachi as just an instrument. What do you know, she is even my prayer partner. We never fail to say our St. Jude novenas every Thursday.

Since today is a Thursday, and it is your birthday, I pray that you be given impeccable health, bless you with a happy love life really soon, a kick-ass career and may all your prayers be answered. You know you are in my prayers.

Thank you, friendship, for everything. Happy birthday!

I love you ng bonggang bongga!!! ;-)