Five days before Christmas

Dear Mama,

    It's 5 days before Christmas. I'm not doing a Christmas countdown, Mama. You know I hate those countdowns. It's just that it's already December 20th, and it's 5 days to go before Christmas, and I don't like Christmas!

    It's really hasn't been the same since you've been gone, Mama. How long was it? 16 years already?! 16 Christmases without you, and I still can't get used to it. I'm trying my best to make it special for our children, Mama. But it's just not the same without you.

    I'm sorry, Mama. I'll stop here.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                Daddy

Christmas break

Dear Mama,

    Ralph just left for work. I hope he'll be able to catch the bus, Mama. Hopefully there won't be much traffic today. He doesn't seem to be in a hurry, though. He never was in a hurry, Mama. I often nag him to move quicker.

    Edgar just came from. He went out to buy some gifts after his work, Mama. That's why he came home late. Although it looks like he wasn't able to complete his list. He doesn't know what to buy his 2 godsons who are teenagers. 

    Angel is wrapping some gifts now. Her gift for her goddaughter and Ralph's gift for his godson. Maybe Edgar might ask him to wrap some of his gifts, too.

    It was our last day of work for the year today, Mama. We will be having a holiday break, and we will report back to work on the 6th of January. I have no plans. I don't know what to do for our break, Mama. Probably, I'll just stay home, except for some occasional errands.

    That will be all for today, Mama. Please pray for my peace.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                    Daddy

Christmas Rush

Dear Mama,

    Our children and I went to SM Clark this afternoon to buy some gifts for Christmas. The mall was packed with people, Mama. In fact, it took us more than 30 minutes to get to the mall because of the traffic. 

    Once we were at the mall, I was overwhelmed by volume of people there, Mama. Because aside from the Christmas rush, there was a power interruption at a nearby city And whenever there's power interruption, people flock to the mall, Mama.

    Edgar and Ralph were able to buy some gifts for their godchildren. The line at the cashier was rather long, Mama. I was trying to calm myself while we were at the line, Mama. You know how too many people make me anxious. good thing I was able to hang on.

    Of course, after shopping for gifts we went to have our dinner, Mama. And then we had ice cream after dinner. After that we already went home. We reached home at around 9:00 p.m., Mama.

    Right now, Angel is wrapping the gifts that Ralph and Edgar bought.

    I guess that will be all for now, Mama. I wish you were with us every time we go out like this.

    I miss you, Mama.

    Please pray for my peace.

    I love you.

                                                                                                            Daddy

Coffee night with Angel

Dear Mama,

    Last night, Angel and I went out for coffee. It was just the two of us, Mama. We left the house rather late, around 9:00 pm. Ralph was at work, and Edgar was invited for an overnight staycation by his friend.

    We were supposed to get hot choco or suklati batirol at the Museo, Mama. But when we reached there, Angel said she cannot take chocolate drink, and also there were no chairs and tables there, the drink were just for take out. So, we walked around to look for another place to stay. We went to a coffee shop called Lilim,. It was a quiet place, because since it was late there weren't much people there. We stayed until around 10:30 p.m., Mama, then we went home.

    It's only 11 days before Christmas, Mama, and 18 days before the new year. I still have no plans, no hopes, and no expectations. I don't know, Mama. I've really lost my zest in life.

    I think I'll end this letter now. Please pray for my peace, Mama.

    I miss you.

    I love you.

                                                                                                            Daddy

Please make Angel well

Dear Mama,

    I am at the office now. So is Edgar. Angel is sick, Mama. She has fever. Ralph is at home, but he needs to rest because he will be working tonight.

    Please make Angel well, Mama.

    I wish you were here.

                                                                                                Daddy

Quarterly check up

Dear Mama,

    It's a holiday today, December 11. It's Pampanga Day, Mama. That's why we don't have work. Ralph will also be not working tonight. Good thing they are covered by the local holiday. I thought that since he has as US-based client, they won't be following Philippine holidays. Edgar is also covered by the holiday, but he worked today. He is part of the skeletal force required to check in for today.

    Ralph and Angel are sleeping right now. It's 1:30 in the afternoon, Mama. It's a rather gloomy day. I'm not sure if it's part of the Christmas season, or there's another storm brewing up there. It was drizzling a bit this morning when I was doing the laundry, Mama. But it stopped when I was finished, so I was able to hang the laundry outside. Unfortunately, Mama, the sun did not really shine hot today. There are too many clouds. That's why the clothes are not really dry yet, like they used to be during this time when it's hot.

   Yesterday, I had my quarterly laboratory test for my blood chemistry, Mama. I picked up the results today. I am not sure. Some are good, some seem to be not so good since they are near borderlines. I'll just wait for the doctor's verdict on Friday, Mama.

    That will be all for today. Please pray for my peace, Mama.

    I miss you.

    I love you, Mama.

                                                                                                        Daddy

Happy anniversary, Mama!

Dear Mama,

Happy anniversary!

Today would have been our 33rd.

Can I go home now?

I miss you, Mama.

I love you.

Daddy 

We had ice cream

 Dear Mama,

    We went out today, Saturday, our children and I. We went to the Marquee Mall, Mama. Edgar got his bag from CBTL after completing the stickers required. Angel and I was supposed to get it yesterday at SM Clark but they did not have stocks there, that's why we went to Marquee Mall today.

    Ralph also bought some items at the Korean food sale at the mall atrium, then Edgar bought a rice cooker for the house. Our rice cooker is already defective, Mama. Sometimes the rice don't get cooked, that's why we needed a new one.

    After that we had our dinner at Kenny Rogers. We just got in time, Mama. Because after we gave our orders, people started coming in. Had we been a few minutes late, we would be standing in a long line, Mama.

    After dinner, instead of coffee, we had ice cream today, Mama. Ralph liked to eat ice cream, so he suggested it. After that, we already went home. It took a while before Ralph was able to get a car from the Grab app. After almost 20 minutes, I think, he was able to get one.

    By the way, Ralph and Edgar had their respective company Christmas party yesterday, that's why we did not go out. Unfortunately, neither of them was able to win a prize from their raffles. Well, that's luck, or lack of it.

    That will be all for now, Mama. Please continue to guide our children. And please pray for my peace.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                            Daddy

Cats and the kids

Dear Mama,

    Ralph left for work before 8:00 pm. I just received a message from him, he just arrived at the terminal and is already aboard their shuttle bus. He'll just wait a few minutes before the bus leaves, Mama. He's about to complete his first week in his new job. Tomorrow, Friday, will be their Christmas party, Mama. He's just in time for the company Christmas party.

    Edgar is not home yet. He is at the mall, Mama. He said he'll be looking for something to wear tomorrow. It will also be their company Christmas party tomorrow. They have a theme, that's why he's looking for something to wear, Mama. He mentioned it to me, but I forgot. I must be really getting old, Mama.

    Our Angel is already sleeping. She slept immediately after dinner, Mama. I hope she'll sleep straight until tomorrow morning. Oftentimes, when she sleeps early, she wakes up around midnight and will no longer sleep. She will then sleep during the day, Mama.

    Right now we have 4 cats inside the house, Mama - Otis, Lulu, Ranma, and Sabby. And there are some in the garage - Tabitha (the newest kitten), Dopel, Sandayme, Mhey-mhey, Cotton, Roca. Cotton's companion, and another 1 or 2 more who come occasionally. Aside from Tabitha, those in the garage usually come only feeding time. Tabitha, or Tabby, also leaves occasionally, but stays mostly in the garage.

    We also have lost a lot of kittens, Mama. They all have crossed the rainbow bridge. Lulu's siblings - Dalma, and Lily. Otis' siblings - Garfield, Alice, and one black kitten we were not able to name. Sabby's babies - Max and 1 more with no name. And of course, the lone kitten - Rocky. They all crossed the rainbow bridge within a span of less than 2 months, Mama. Baron, Lulu's brother, was adopted, and the first cat we had, OG has been missing for almost a month now, Mama.

    I just want to tell you about the cats, because I don't know what to say, Mama.

    Christmas is almost here. I don't know what to plan, Mama. I received our 13th month and used them all to pay for my debts, and they were still not enough.

    Anyway, I think I'll stop here, Mama. Hoping things will get better for us. Please pray for the health and safety of our children. Please pray for my peace.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                    Daddy

 

We have 2 cakes

Dear Mama,

    Yesterday, Sunday, the kids and I went to Marquee Mall. We spent the afternoon there, Mama. We bought some items - personal items for the kids, and Ralph also bought 1 gift for his godson for Christmas. Then we had our dinner there.

    After dinner, Angel and I went to buy a birthday cake for you, Mama. While Ralph and Edgar went ahead to the coffee shop. Angel and I proceeded to the coffee shop after buying the cake, Mama. We stayed there for a while, before we went home.

    Of course, as we reached home, we sang happy birthday for you, Mama. Your birthday won't be complete without a birthday cake and a birthday song. However, since we were already full last night, we did not eat anymore. We just saved the cake for tonight, and ate some after dinner.

    It's Ralph's first day at work tonight, Mama. He's on his way now, he left while I still writing this letter. He took a Grab car because he is still wasn't sure where their shuttle will be. Hopefully, tomorrow he'll be able to take the shuttle and save on expenses. He'll be checking out tomorrow at 6 a.m., Mama. I hope he won't fall asleep at work tonight. It's been a while since he worked on nightshift, although he sometimes sleep late, Mama.

    This afternoon, while I was hanging the laundry, our neighbor knocked on our gate, Mama. They gave us a cake. That's why we have 2 cakes now - your birthday cake and the cake they gave us. I was surprised, Mama. Because it's the first time a neighbor here gave us something, after more than 15 years of living here. They are the newest tenants in the apartment in front of us, Mama. So, I guess that tells something.

    Anyway, I'm waiting for Ralph's message that he has reached his destination. I asked him to tell me once he reached their office so I know he made it safely, Mama.

    That will be all for now, Mama. Until my next letter. Please pray for my peace.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                        Daddy