Dear Mama,
Happy new year!
I just finished washing the dishes, Mama. It's already 2:30 a.m. on the first day of 2025.
Because Edgar prepared our Medya Noche, I washed the dishes so he can rest.
I am also about to rest now, Mama. I just wanted to greet you before I sleep. I hope the new year will be better for us, Mama. Especially, the kids.
Please continue to guide us, Mama. And please pray for my peace.
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
It's the last day of 2024. It's new year's eve, Mama. Although, it's still 10:14 am right now and it's hot. It's a bit cloudy, though. Sometimes the sun would peek, but most of the times it's hiding behind the clouds.
Edgar just arrived home from the wet market in Pampang. He insisted to buy our Medya Noche there, Mama. That's right, he's the one preparing it again tonight. We did not buy any noisemakers nor costumes for tonight, Mama. We will just eat later, probably earlier than 12 midnight.
I went to La Pieta early this morning, Mama. I walked, and when I got there I was tired. I'm not really the same anymore, Mama. I'm really getting old. I used to take long walks and they don't bother me. But now, that's no longer the case. I also feel a nagging pain on my left knee, Mama.
Anyway, I guess that will be all for now, Mama. I hope 2025 will be better for us, especially the kids. Please continue to guide us, Mama. Please pray for my peace.
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
It's December 29. We are on the last 3 days of the year, Mama. I am not expecting anything grand or big, but I am hoping for a peaceful celebration and even more peaceful life in 2025.
It's not too much ask, right Mama?
Daddy
Dear Mama,
I got into another argument. I just arrived home, Mama. I went to SM Clark to have my Prestige card renewed. But they said they cannot renew it yet because I was not yet included in their batch, even though they can see that I am qualified to renew. They said I should wait for the text or email message they will sent me.
I was annoyed, Mama. My blood boiled. this was the second time I attempted to renew and they said the same thing! That was last October and until now I have not received any text message nor email from them. My card will expire on the 31st of December.
I can still feel my annoyance as I am typing this letter, Mama. I don't want to do this anymore. How can I control myself?
I'm tired, Mama.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
Merry Christmas!
It's Christmas day, Mama. We had our Noche Buena last night, although it was a bit earlier. Then we exchanged gifts. It was nice, Mama. All our foods were prepared by Edgar - spaghetti, lumpiang shanghai, macaroni salad, ham, and he even made fruit salad. Although we were no longer able to eat that last night, Mama. There were a lot of food. Some we had for breakfast and lunch today, and some we'll have for dinner later.
Ralph is sleeping right now, Mama. He is not 100% well. He's been coughing hard, and he's taking his inhaler. I'm urging him to go out of his room every now and then. I think there are a lot of dusts there, Mama. I hope he gets better. Help me make him well, Mama.
It's quite a cold Christmas day, Mama. It was raining since last night until this early morning. The weather's a bit gloomy, and the wind breeze is soft but cold. It's like I'm having fever.
Ralph and Edgar will have their regular work tomorrow, and on Friday. Then next Thursday and Friday again. I'll go back to work on the 6th of January, Mama.
I guess that will be all for now, Mama. I wish you were still here. I miss you, Mama.
Please pray for my peace.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
It's December 24, Christmas eve. It's 7:30 a.m. now, Mama. Ralph is resting, he just came from work. Edgar just woke up, and Angel is also resting. She did not sleep last night, Mama.
I still have no plans for tonight, Mama. I'm sorry. It's Edgar who is preparing for our Noche Buena now. We have no programs. I'm sorry I stopped with our family Christmas party, Mama. But our gifts are all complete. They are, however, less than the gifts we bought in previous years.
I still breathe anxiety, Mama. I know it has nothing to do with the holiday rush.
I wish you were here.
I miss you, Mama. Please pray for my peace.
I love you.
Daddy
Dear Mama,
Our children and I went out today for a last minute Christmas shopping. We just completed Ralph's gifts, Mama. Actually, I went out first in the morning for some errands and a bit of me time, then I met them at SM Clark in the afternoon.
As expected, the mall was crowded, Mama. A lot of people are in their last minute shopping. Good thing I was able to convince Ralph to buy at the SMX where there were less people. Afterwards we had our dinner, again, courtesy of Ralph. Then we already went home, Mama.
Angel wrapped the last minute gifts, and now, all gifts are complete, Mama. Complete in the sense that we bought less gifts this Christmas compared to previous years.
Angel said she's going to sleep now. Probably tired from taking care of the cats. Ralph was already asleep when I checked on him earlier while Angel was wrapping. Edgar, too, was already in his room. I hope he'll sleep early, too.
That will be all for now, Mama. I wish you were still here with us celebrating the holidays. Please pray for my peace.
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
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
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
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
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
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
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
Dear Mama,
Happy anniversary!
Today would have been our 33rd.
Can I go home now?
I miss you, Mama.
I love you.
Daddy
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
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
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
