Kids: I guess What They Mean Is...

My older sister got married and now has 3 wonderful kids. Well, me, playing the role of a nice Aunt has no choice but to call them wonderful. Lol. Kidding aside, they really are. They used to call me "Tita I" (Tita means Aunt).

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Anytime my sister is not around and I have to keep an eye on them is a moment that I realized the laden of being a parent. During lunch when everyone was so busy consuming their food, I had noticed the youngest one can't balance the spoon very well. I offered to do it for her but she intensely refused. The spoon turned out to be a rope being pulled from different directions that whoever let go first will lose. Of course... she won. As she struggled to take the food into her mouth 15% was successfully swallowed and travelled through her belly, 80% fell helplessly onto the table. The 5%? Stranded between her teeth. The little girl enjoyed her lunch and I hoped I feel the same way as I cleaned her mess. Watching me as I picked some grains, the beam on her face was like telling me she had done something perfectly on that day.

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I guess kids really mean that sometimes you have to get out of your box and take initiative. There are things you won't learn unless you do it on your own. If you want to be good on something, no one can stop you...even your most pretty Aunt.

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Busy doing home chores, I let the kids play on the floor with toys cluttered and had the chance to go upstairs. As I arranged my stuff, I heard a commotion and dodged through my way downstairs. There, two kids I left with serenity a while ago are now trying to slay each other. You know toys? They aren't just for fun, it can also create a chaotic atmosphere and can be very useful for a kid under emotional rage and feels the need to hit someone. Dolls turned flying saucers, bolted through the air and reached the ground dilapidated.
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"Stop it! I said stop it!" I scolded after making my quick few steps. The two little monsters were too ferocious to unravel and seemed too deaf to hear me. After few minutes, finally, I was physically between them.

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"What's the problem huh?" The interrogation began.

"She stole my car!!!" An accusation from the little boy screaming for justice.

"I just want to borrow it!!!" A defense from the little girl trying to acquit herself.
"Okay...okay..." Me, thinking if I could bring it to the supreme court.

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Unfortunately, the judge, their mum, wasn't around so I had to take and weigh things over. And to be little less harsh I made sure that whatever my verdict would be won't lead to imprisonment.

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"Little boy, why don't you just let her borrow your toy for a while. Anyways you have a lot of other toys to play with, I'll just make sure that you'll have it later. And you (looking at the little girl) promise him you'll give it back and don't forget to thank him" I closed the deal.

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The little girl did nod and the boy turned his back, he gave way but with a heavy heart, found a corner and play as he wept. Being swamped by so many things to do, much of my time was wasted but I had to sit for a while and stay more to assure that the war had ceased. The little girl stood beside me, her elbow touched my knee. Handling the toy, she got what she wanted but unhappy seeing her only playmate for the day with river of tears.

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"Go, say sorry to your brother" I uttered. A bit hesitant but slowly made her way to the corner and gave the toy back.

"Brother...I'm sorry, let's just play." She sheepishly uttered as she hugged her brother and gave him a kiss.

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I'm telling you, they look really cute and I tried to remember if I've been like that to my brother when we were young. I'm still trying to recall until now and perhaps by tomorrow I still do.

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I guess kids mean that siblings with given disparities on attitude and thinking is just one reason not to expect a total harmony. Conflicts will come your way but what vital is you know how to forgive, far more than that, you also need to know how to admit your mistakes and apologize.

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I love having conversation with kids.

"Tita, when I grow up I'll buy you a bunch of slippers!." The little girl told me with enthusiasm as she moved her hands trying to describe a mountain.

"Wow! well that's great but where will you get the money to buy me some?" I asked with a smile.

"Ummm...I'll asked grandma to give me money!" She answered then I took a pause.

"That is so sweet!" I responded with appreciation and gave her a tight hug not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

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She could have answered "I'll finish my study, find a good job and earn a living" or something like that, by then she can purchase a slew of slippers enough for me and our neighbors. But talking to a 3-year old kid wanting to do something extra for her Aunt, it's definitely a smart and sweet answer.

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I guess kids mean that one must have a dream, even little ones and when you dream go share it. On the day of your triumph, you'll never know how many people will be proud of you 'coz they know as you declared. If you failed, well that's a shame but at least you still have them around to sympathize for the same reason...they know.

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Haggard from work, I reached home and opened the door. After the squeaky sound were tiny shrill voices "Tita I!!!". One hugged my right leg, the other hung into my waist while the other was pulling down my left arm. I hobbled as I came in. My nieces and nephew stayed and waited for me 'till evening. Smart kids, they know it's my payday. I put down the box of donuts and they ate it like a tornado. After a while, my niece pushed herself up and sat on my lap.

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"Tita, I miss you and I love you" I was touched by the little monster who used to let me always clean her mess.

"I miss and I love you too...So where's my kiss?" I tenderly responded and asked.

She pulled her sleeve and wiped out the flour on her mouth that she got from eating donuts. I felt little hands on my cheeks and gave me a kiss on my lips. I was amazed how kids freely say what they feel.

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I guess kids mean let them know. If you missed them, what's stopping you to say it? You'll never know how these little things touch the biggest part of their hearts.

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Kids, they have a lot of things to share but I guess they don't really need to say what they truly mean.


 Ichan...signing off...

Don't you think it's time?

So its been years, you got your own life. New environment , new people. Not interested in meeting someone particular from the past but since this is a small world, boom! You two just bumped into each other. What will you do? Will you fumble from nervous breakdown? Will you let that encounter be the extension of those bitter days? Or will you embrace the moment with bouyancy, show that you're someone who have grown from the past and just moved on?

No right answer but to look at it like a game, your actions and reactions will determine who lose and who wins. No markdowns, just earning more points.

Someone began to open up. With a common friend, she met the guy she'd never seen for years. Their memories aren't that bad but i guess sometimes shit happens and things ended up not so well. She was there to give that simple "hi" and "hello" but the guy's demeanor doesn't fit the friendly intention. Her presence was somehow not appreciated.

Avoid if you can avoid (i do that) but the moment your roads crossed and your eyes met, you gotta handle it. No one can punish you for the grudge you've been keeping for years. Take this...everyone just stepped out from the past and closed the door. Don't leave yourself behind. Years are enough.

At one point, i felt like i don't have the right to encapsulate this idea. In the first place, i hated someone for more than three years (forgive me). He was related to my family so avoiding him wasn't that easy. I treated him like an air, existing but unseen. I couldn't utter his name coz it sounds like a bad word for me, it cuts my eardrum. I hated him for a reason that is too personal and what he did is something i will never forget 'till my last breath.

You read it right, i will never forget but i did forgive. He heard nothing from me and he suffered from it because i, whom he betrayed was the one who unexpectedly helped him most. I did it without any concern but my action was inevitably in favor of him and the fact that he couldn't look straight to my eyes is enough for revenge.

How was i able to handle it with a bit of grudge? I reserved a little respect. Inside my mind there was an argument whirling around. One said "he doesn't deserve respect" while the other whispered "ei, your just human...it's a reason i can accept but please don't act like God"

So I said " Okay, fine..."

Currently, i can't still utter his name but we got conversations. Though it's a short conversation, i respond if necessary. Right, years are enough and it start from that little respect.

You can find another route for your way but like an angle that reached the vertex- a point where two lines intersect then take a pause...there could be a reason and don't you think it's time?

Doing fine

Never bury yourself from the past. Bad things happen for good reasons. Don't waste every minute of your life with bitterness. Live and Laugh. Pray, for like a true friend GOD never betrays.