Dear Mama,

It's 4 a.m. now, I was supposed to run today but it looks like I cannot do it. I feel worse, Mama. My cough has worsen and I feel cold. My lower back still aches. I wish you're here, Mama.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

I am not feeling well right now. I've been taking medicines and drinking lots of water since yesterday, Mama. My lower back aches too. I hope I won't get sick. Wish you were here, I know I will feel better if I could just embrace you.

Angel came home safe from their field trip last night. Although I was not able to talk to her yet because I was already sleeping. 

I really do not have much to say right now, Mama. I just wish I can hold your hands. I'm really missing you, Mama.

I love you.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

Good morning. It's 4:13 a.m., Angel is not home. She stayed at her classmate's home last night. They are having a field trip today and said they must be at the meeting place by 3:30 a.m. They must be on their way to Enchanted Kingdom now, Mama.

Ralph is here, I don't know what time he came because I was half asleep then, but I think it was already past midnight. 

I will be out for a run in a while, Mama. Today is a holiday and we do not have work.

Take care of yourself, Mama. I miss you.

I love you, Mama.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

Edgar is at school now. He said he is okay. I just arrived  home from work. I've been calling him on phone every now then to check on him while I'm at the office. He said he's fine. I hope he won't get sick anymore. 

Angel is still not here. She'll be out of school by 6:30 p.m. so she'll be here around 7 p.m. It's really often that I'm finding myself alone at home lately, Mama. Sometimes, even at weekends. I think I'm getting used to it. I know this is how it will be in the days to come.

Well, I've really nothing much to say, Mama. Please continue helping me in taking care of our kids. I miss you, Mama.

 I love you.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

Edgar is still sick. He is much better now that he was this morning, but he is still sick. He still has a slight fever, Mama. He wants to go to school tomorrow. I hope he will be okay tomorrow morning.

If only you were here, Mama.

I miss you.

I love you.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

I did not go to work today, Edgar has fever. I took his temperature and it registered 38.3 on the thermometer. I'm sorry, Mama. I was not able to take good care of our son. He was fine yesterday, but as I was about to wake him up this morning after I took a bath, I felt his forehead and he was hot. I immediately informed our office. I'm sorry, Mama. I could have done something so that he won't get sick.

Please help me make him well, Mama.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

I will be sleeping in while, just finished ironing the kids' uniforms. Tomorrow's the start of another week.

I just wanted to say good night to you. I wish you will visit me in my dreams. Good night, Mama. I miss you.

I love you.


Daddy

Dear Mama,

Angel and I was finally able to have the chance yesterday, we went to La Pieta and did brisk walking. I was not able to run because she said she would just walk and I cannot leave her. But it's okay, at least it's a start for her. Next time maybe she would run even for just short distances. She said she would also like to go to the gym with me sometime.

I also attended the meeting of the Knights of Columbus yesterday and was admitted as a First Degree member. I am still not sure if I will pursue my membership, but I am thinking that I do need to join some sort of community, somehow. Today would be their monthly meeting, I am not sure if I can catch up because I promised Angel we would go to the wet market today. I also do not have a plain white polo that is required to be worn during meetings, I am not sure if it's okay to wear any white polo with design, at least just for this time.

Edgar seems to be not feeling well, Mama. He seems to be coughing every now and then. He said it might be because of all those practices during the past few weeks for the choral competition. He asked me to buy him oranges, he said it soothes his throat whenever he eats some. I hope he will feel better soon.

I haven't heard from Ralph since he last went home. He might be busy, Mama. I'm not sure if he'll be here next weekend. Most probably, he will might go home next month, which is the La Naval fiesta. I'm still not sure, Mama.

Sorry for another lengthy letter, Mama. I miss having conversations like this with you. I miss you, Mama.

I love you.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

Good morning. It's 4:28 a.m., just thought I'll write you a letter before I start my weekend. Today is Saturday, although it won't be a rest day for us, Mama. Edgar will have his review class the whole day today. Me, I'll be going to the gym this morning and attend the Knights of Columbus meeting after lunch. Angel will be cleaning her room, or she might go out with friends later. Ralph will not be going home this weekend, Mama.

Angel was not able to join me in my run yesterday, Mama. In fact, she went home later than her usual time because they were finishing a Powerpoint presentation for a school project. Too bad, I thought I would be having a nice bonding time with her at La Pieta. Well, maybe she'll join me tomorrow in my morning run.

That's it for now, Mama. Take care of yourself. I miss you, Mama.

I love you.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

Angel requested for pizza today, because I asked what she wants me to buy for her on my way home. She said an umbrella, because her umbrella is broken... and then she added, pizza. A random request but I bought one anyway, it was in fact our dinner tonight.

Yesterday, I helped her open a savings account. I provided the initial deposit just so she could have an account, at least she would be conscious now and starts to save... I hope, Mama. Tomorrow, she said she will be joining me on my run after office. I'm quite excited because I've been egging her to join me for a long time. Although she said she will just walk tomorrow as I run around La Pieta. That's good enough for me, Mama. At least, that's a start for her.

I guess that will be all for now, Mama. We're still waiting for Edgar to come home. We've left a few slices of pizza for him. Wish you were here, Mama. I miss you.

I love you, Mama.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

Just like that, Ralph's birthday is officially over. I asked Ate Tey to cook spaghetti in Sta. Teresita yesterday so we can sort of celebrate his birthday even though he is in Makati. It was just Angel and I who went to Sta. Teresita yesterday because Edgar was still in school at the time. I called Ralph yesterday evening to ask how his birthday was going, and he said they were eating out at the time I called. 

You know what, Mama? I received a text message from a batchmate in high school yesterday inviting me to join the Knights of Columbus. I remember when I was still young and an altar boy, I wanted to be a member of K of C. However, as I grew up, I realized that organizations like this do have expenses and I might not be able to support the activities. I know the members there are big time personalities. But I'm still contemplating. I might attend the meeting this Saturday.

Well, that's it for now, Mama. Take care of yourself. I wish you would visit me in my dream. I miss you, Mama.

I love you.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

Tomorrow's the start of another week, and of course, tomorrow is Ralph's birthday. I'm thankful we were able to celebrate last night. I was planning to give him a surprise visit in Makati on his birthday, unfortunately, our salary was not given last Friday. Which I cannot complain on because payday really won't be until Tuesday. I was just hoping they would give it early like they sometimes do. Anyway, we were able to have a dinner yesterday, Ralph was happy, his brother and sister were happy, and so I am happy too. I'm sure he will have a happy birthday tomorrow with his friends and officemates.

Well, Ralph's birthday is done. Next would be your birthday, our wedding anniversary, Christmas party, New Year's Eve, Angel's birthday, Edgar's birthday, and Edgar's college graduation. How I wish we could celebrate all those with you, Mama.

I really miss you, Mama.

I love you.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

The kids and I went out this afternoon for the advance birthday celebration of Ralph. He came home at lunchtime together with his girlfriend. After eating, we prepared and went to Marquee Mall. We would be having dinner at a Japanese buffet restaurant but we were already at the mall at around 3 p.m. so we can bond and roam around while waiting for the time.

When it was almost 5 p.m. we already went to Yakimix, and at exactly 5 p.m. we were ushered in. We enjoyed the dinner, Mama. Especially Angel who likes the dessert table. We had eaten so much, now I feel like I need to run double tomorrow just to shake off what I had.

It was a nice bonding moment with the kids, Mama. Unfortunately, Ralph's birthday is Monday so he would be in Makati by then. They would be leaving tomorrow after lunch.

Well, that will be all for now, Mama. I wish you were with us. It would have been a happier celebration. I miss you, Mama.

I love you.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

Angel will be going to Pasay tomorrow to attend a seminar together with her classmates. I am worried, Mama. This will be the first time that our baby will be travelling on her own with strangers. She never went on any field trip during her elementary and high school days. Now, it's inevitable. I know it won't be the last. I hope she'll be safe on her trip. Guide and protect her, Mama.

I love you, Mama.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

It's almost 8 p.m. but Angel is not yet home. Her class is only up to 4:30 p.m. but she said they will be doing a project and she'll be home by 7, but until now she's not yet here. I am worried, Mama. I hope our baby is okay.

Please guide and protect her, Mama.

I love you.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

I am about to rest, but I thought I'll write you a letter first. I really do not have anything new to say right now, Mama. We're just waiting for Saturday so we can celebrate Ralph's birthday. We're all looking forward to that, Mama.

My body feels sore right now, Mama. I went to the gym this evening. It's my second week and I feel worse now than last week. I hope I'm doing the right thing so I could keep myself healthy before it's too late.

I really do not know what to say right now, Mama. Let's see... Angel's birthday, I'm still trying to convince myself that it's okay if she won't be having a birthday party for her debut. After that, it will Edgar's graduation on March (or April). 

Sometimes I still wish that you are still with us today especially during these occasions. We all could have been happier if we are still together.

I'm sorry, Mama, I'm at it again. I guess I better stop now. Take care, Mama. I miss you.

I love you, Mama.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

Just finished ironing Angel and Edgar's school uniform. Tomorrow is Monday again, it's back to school for them and back to work for me. Everything's good, Mama.

Next Monday, Ralph will be turning 23 although we will be celebrating it on Saturday because he is on Makati on weekdays. As usual, we will be going out, just the 4 of us. That is how we always celebrate, Mama.

You know, Mama, I've been talking to Angel and asking her what she wants for her 18th birthday... aside from the birthday party because we cannot afford it. She said it's okay for her if she won't be having any party. I felt guilty, Mama. I know she meant it when she said it's okay, but I also know she also wants the party. I'm sorry, Mama. I won't be able to make our baby happy.

I will be resting in a while, Mama. I need to wake up early tomorrow. Take care of yourself, Mama. I miss you.

I love you.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

I know I told you already about this, but I never stopped thinking about our Angel's 18th birthday this January. I do not know what to do to make it special and a memorable one for her. Last Monday, I asked my high school friends during an event we attended, and their responses overwhelmed me, Mama. All the things to consider - list of guests, place to hold the event, food, dresses, program during the event, and a lot of other things which honestly made me feel sorry that I asked.

Honestly, I felt stupid, Mama. How can I even ask or even plan an event for my daughter's birthday when I know I do not have the resources? I must be out of my mind! Poor Angel, she has me for a father.

I wish I can do something for her, Mama. She is a special lady, she deserves something special. Help me, Mama.

Times like this, I really wish you were here. I miss you, Mama.

I love you.

Daddy

Dear Mama,

I started going to the gym last Monday, today is my second day. My body is all aching, Mama. I hope I will feel better next week and as my workout progresses. I am not doing this for anyone, Mama. I'm doing this for myself, aside from it would keep me busy, it will make me healthier... I guess.

Anyway, that's all I got to say right now, Mama. Edgar and Angel are not yet home, by the way.  It's already 9:37 p.m. Edgar has a practice with the school choir, while Angel is in her classmate's house for their group project. I hope they'll be safe on their way home, it's already late.

I will be sleeping in a while, Mama. Take care of yourself. I miss you, Mama.

I love you.

Daddy