FAMILY

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FAMILY

Yesterday, my daughter Dang flew back to Canberra after staying with us for three weeks here in our home in Las Piñas. A week before that, her sister Nina also went back to Canberra. Just like that, our short but meaningful family reunion came to an end.

After almost three years, our whole family was complete again—my wife Cynthia and I, our two sons Allen and Paolo, and our two daughters. Now that our children are grown up and living their own lives, reunions like this don’t happen often. That’s why when they do, they feel extra special and something we are truly thankful for.

As parents in our mid-seventies, the time we spend with our children becomes more valuable. We know they now have their own responsibilities, work, and plans. When they were younger, it was us, the parents, who paid for everything. But now, the roles have somehow changed. They’re the ones treating us and organizing activities. It’s heartwarming to see them give back, not just through gifts, but with their time, effort, and love.

During their stay, my daughters planned a lot of things for the family. I will write about those moments in the next blogs. But for now, what I want to share is the feeling I had when they left. It’s not easy to describe. Maybe it’s a mix of sadness, love, and pride. Sad because we are apart again. But proud of the lives they’ve made for themselves. And thankful that we had those days together.

Family really is a blessing. No matter where we are, the love stays. And even if reunions happen only once in a while, they remind us that being together—no matter how short—is always worth it.

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