Sunday, July 09, 2006

This year is the most memorable day for all of us! Even though Papa, my brother's wives and sister's husbands failed to join us, it turned out to be a very remarkable one.

We spent most of the day preparing the food while others sang their favorite songs. Two of my sisters brought their grandchildren too. Three of my siblings failed to make it, Bhoie, Egay and Beh, but later in the evening, Bhoie was able to join after his off from work.

As soon as Ate Neth and Mama arrived, we immediately serve the lunch while Randy was watching us. Webcam was on and he's also invited. My family members chatted with him. Kids had been videoke singing and I couldn't hear Randy's voice sometimes.

When Randy went to bed, I invited everyone to join us to hear the 5 o'clock mass. I want to thank God for the blessings and He allowed us to have the reunion in spite of a cloudy gray sky. Smaller kids stayed home with their mothers and off we hurriedly went to Our Lady of Hope Parish. Twenty-four butts fitted in two vehicles.

At Our Lady of Hope, the Church was full but we found some seats in the mezzanine. It's been a very long time ago when we last heard the mass altogether. Two of my brothers and two of my sisters are working abroad and they are all on vacation here in Manila except Beh who is working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Today is the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The first reading was Ezekiel 2:2-5, the second reading was from 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 and the Gospel was from Mark 6:1-6. I didn't get the name of the priest because we arrived 15 minutes late.

After the mass, we walked from the Parish until to SM North EDSA Annex Bldg. We treated the kids to a bowling so they could have more time bonding while my siblings and I, along with our mother, had a meeting. Nasser almost destroyed the good atmosphere we're enjoying when he raised past issues which should no longer be discussed. I forgot to take photos of our meeting because we had been serious with our discussions. Our parent's welfare was the highlight of our meeting.

Everybody wants to go home because it was past 9 in the evening. After series of poses and instructions with the kids, we finally had one shot to remind us about this unforgettable event.

If ever there will be another time like this again, we might spend it in a resort or rent a private place with swimming pool.