FR. OSCAR ANTE could not have said it more profoundly when he intoned in his homily, “Widen your circle of relationships.” He made me realize that, in the Gospel of inclusion, God surrounded His creations with not only family but also friends and relations so that their vision might not be myopic and include not only blood but brethren as well.
I could not have foreseen that this fellow Albayanon would no sooner slight me on the ambo, with a proclamation of my reading error, than directly brush it off with a casual “Have we learned from the mistake already?” as an admission of his unintentional admonition. He was wearing his standard smile when we met again (after my leaving Mass recently before his final blessing) and it was all I could do not to respond to the earnest gesture. And my chagrin was liberated with immense praise, relief, and thanksgiving. God must’ve orchestrated once again my inner struggle and straightened the crooked path I almost chose to take. Thanks to the few, select friends I shared the sentiment with. For they understood my feeling but did not let it cloud their judgment. They offered prayers, instead, to enlighten me and, where necessary, the priest as well. Best of all, the parish priest, whom I related the incident to, advanced a considerate desire to talk about it and added an apology if the matter offended me. I assured him it was not an offense but a mere perplexity I felt and offered my appreciation for his compassion. The matter forgotten and forgiven.
Because, Fr. Andro’s acknowledgment of my concern prepared me for my next meeting with Fr. Oca, who was celebrating the 9 am Christmas Day Mass! God could not have orchestrated a better epiphany.
From there, I carried with me not the cross of chagrin anymore, but the clarion of cheer I vowed to share with my nephews and nieces and, from there, poor friends who also wanted my company. (Christmas Eve was already happily celebrated with Kuya Gemer, Edgar, and Ronald.) I briefly went home to collect the chicken curry Weng cooked as my potluck contribution to the party. I gave notice to Myrna of my departure and hopped behind Alvin on his bike to proceed to Villongco Street. My wife gave me a halfhearted greeting and, certain I was going to receive a greater blessing, returned her gesture enthusiastically.
Norman received me warmly (I’ve gotten used to his wide grin as the best his noble decorum could muster) and delegated the small talk to wife Joy, who never has a problem with making me or anybody feel at home). Our idle chatter was broken by the arrival of Nenette, Obet, and their brood, borne in (Gil)Chris(t)’s car. Nette assumed matriarchy when mom Hermie passed and has happily sustained all family bondings with her pleasant industry, Joy’s able assist, and their siblings’ faithful cooperation. That I have been added to the family roll is another attribute of God I’m still trying to get over with and adequately appreciate. Then slowly, one by surely one, the others from Nolan’s Caloocan and Peter’s Sucat came trickling over until everyone was accounted for. Even reclusive Henry (who was the first to welcome me) sat and stayed and sipped his limited light beer. Obet’s tapped wine (from South Africa) Chris and I enjoyed immensely thoroughly as to engage in a videoke “competition” cleverly concocted by Nette. I saw (and heard) early on that I was no match to Chris’ fresher, younger renditions so raised my joyfully surrendering hands to everyone’s agreeable assent. Not, however, after his acknowledgment of my youthful choice of songs. Shared no less by Joy’s perfect penchant for one-syllable contemporary covers. If Nette was unstoppable with her romantic oldies, Jen did not disappoint with her Sharon sentimentalism. And I was pleasantly shocked when Peter obliged with an OPM oldie.
Thankfully, no one missed Benjie, or his family, who decided wisely to celebrate with JR’s household for a timely change. Long story short (for, henceforth, my chronicles with this lovely, loving clan will try to be succint so as not to bore or sound saccharine), the essential ending of the tradition was the gift-giving (of which, again, I became part of, so tried hard to hold my joy lest I liquefy), and the fun-filled, pure, unadulterated happiness of Nette’s equal and loyal distribution of doggie-bags!
When Peter overshot my COA stop, I disembarked, happily, heavily laden with gifts and goodies of love I didn’t mind walking to Weng’s place to share some with them. I waited for her and Alvin clean up at the house before they could join us. Alwen, Ate Ched, and Manay Badette kept me company and played tong-its with me to prolong the season. When they arrived, Alvin excused his sick self and Weng still had the strength to raise a glass of the wine that Obet asked me to take home. Yoly joined us later and pitched in for flavored light beer. But even good times come to an end. I said I was leaving before 12 midnight and they accepted that. Parting is always bittersweet. But I was again walking on air on the way to the taxi stop. In the lanai, my designated place in the house since 2019, I slowly opened up the love I received from my nephews and nieces. There, with only God as witness, I thanked Him in the silence, embraced my sadness, shed, prayed, and slept. With the thought that, soon, it will be Easter. Amen.
Postscript:
Myrna informed me that Pareng Raymond has died. I said I knew he was going to and had it coming. She went back to the house, returned, and gave me a thousand pesos for my maintenance meds. I accepted shamelessly (God knows I need the sustenance) but did not thank her overdue afterthought. I put a premium only on sincerity.
More than the hello-and-goodbye busses (which I have ages ago given up longing for from my family), the sons and daughters of my nephews and nieces do not make me forget I am loved. Erika requested I sing a Bread or Rivermaya song. I obliged her with “Hanggang” which, Nette noticed, sounded like sorrow. It was actually a promise. To be faithful to them until the end.
I thank Amy, Belle, Bing, Chona, Danny, Del, Car, Car’s anonymous friend, Chady, Del, Emmie, Euffrey, Glenn, Jo, Joji, Joy, Jun, Jenny, Ka Rose, Leony, Lucy, Malou, Melai, Minnie, Myla, Nette, Nikki, Pards, Peter, Relly, Rose, Susan, Tek, Tess, UtoL, HSP, SJTP, UCC, and the Montfort Missionary lay, priests, and brothers, for their ayuda, concern, prayers, and overflowing love, which strengthen me and keep me serving the Lord, our God Almighty.
