by: Russet

I generally do not have a hard time sharing thoughts about something close to my heart.. something I am fond of …. or something that interests me… I always have a piece to share in every conversation I have whether it be simple chit chatting with friends (which I do most of the day!) or during a brain-storming sessions on upcoming projects at work. In fact, even on those topics which I am not familiar with, I find myself participating through the questions I ask. Well, probably because I just love to talk!

Ironically, though, there is one topic which, as I realize now, I somehow tried to refrain from sharing my views on - my family. But before you make any conclusion, I would like to make it clear that I come from a closely-knit family and I am proud of where I come from. In fact, I do love our clan! But somehow, I have this thinking that family affairs are too personal to share to just anyone…. much more to those I don’t know. I would rather keep all those family memoirs in my mind and heart for me to cherish for a lifetime.

But then, wait! Something inside me has prompted me to sit down and write this piece for me to share to anyone. Yes.. you read it right A-N-Y-O-N-E ! And it is all about my grandmother whom we fondly call Mamang.

Last year, there was one birthday celebration that we surely will never forget and will fondly recollect during family gatherings. December 10, 2001 was Mamang’s 85th Birthday. And to make this day more memorable and extra special, we decided to have a surprise birthday bash cum tribute for her, with yours truly as the charge d’ affaires.

I actually planned a birthday party for myself. But as I went on with my preparations, the idea of having Mamang’s birthday celebration suddenly popped up. So setting aside my original plan, I started get the approval of the other members of our family. Gladly, they all gave their approval and offered to help me out. It will be a surprise, we all agreed.

So as early as September, I already made the necessary downpayment for the use of the venue and had the date booked, just to make sure. My cousin Albert has volunteered to do the invitations (he works in a computer company that does all those terrific print-outs in NY).

All the while, I thought everything will be easy, since we have at least three months to prepare. Geez! It wasn’t! There are details that we need to know which only Mamang can provide - like her favorite color (for the affair’s motif and souvenirs), her favorite song (for us to sing.. ehem.. ehem..) and more importantly, for her picture (needed for the video and portrait).

At her age, Mamang is still inquisitive. She keeps on asking why we have to inquire about this and that. And mind you, it was really a challenge to make up all those stories just get the information we needed. In fact, I had to tell her that I was buying a storage box for her “merienda goodies” and asked what color that box would be just to know her preference. Having her pose infront of the camera was another. She wouldn’t want to unless we tell her why we were taking her pictures… Whew! So many white lies committed!

With the invitations sent out, we were a bit apprehensive if we could keep this affair a secret until then (though it was printed on the invites). Much more, with the excitement building up, we were not so sure if we, in fact, could keep everything low so as not to give her a hint.

We all thought everything would be fine with few days left. Well, not really…..

On the day of the affair itself, December 9 (we had to schedule it a day ahead of her birthday), the biggest problem we had to confront came - how to tell Mamang to dress up.. ugh! As expected, she asked why…. Running out of stories this time! We just explained that we were dining out to celebrate her birthday a day earlier. The invitation stated 4:30pm, and it was already 5:00pm but Mamang still wouldn’t want to ..… Pressure.. Pressure!!! With all of us in the house saying our individual prayers (and all of us already dressed for the occasion!), thank God, Mamang suddenly agreed!

Yahoo!!! She yielded to our request… at exactly 5:30 pm! What a relief!!!

I could still clearly recall how surprised Mamang was. Tears flowing on her cheeks upon seeing all relatives and friends gathered together. She even had second thoughts of embracing her daughter from NY whom she never thought would be there (especially with the September 11 incident).

But more than just a birthday party, this gathering has shown to all of us her family, that Mamang is truly loved by so many people. Most of the guests even came from our province (approximately 7 hours drive to Manila.. wow!) just to take part in this affair. This celebration of another year in Mamang’s life carries with it our continued prayer for more blissful years for us to share with her. For someone so frail (she stands less than 5 feet), she has endured the challenge of raising 7 children (most of them born during World War II) and has become successful at that. She has encouraged her grandchildren to strive better in life. Most of all, she has showered us with love and affection which only she can provide.

I don’t take the credit for having all of these planned and realized (with all honesty… believe me!!). It was a team effort. It was the work of every member of the family - from Mamang’s youngest great grandchild Justin (who was then 2 months old) to her eldest child Edna!

But if there was one thing I have learned all the more, I realized much better now that indeed FAMILY MATTERS!! I guess I should start writing more about my family!

(Postscript: As to my birthday, I celebrated it just the way I used to - several times, one with each set of friends! J)