Merry Christmas

Photo c/o papemelroti.com

It was our 28th Christmas as a family and it was awesome!  The five of us were complete and we exchanged gifts as usual, but this time we noticed that the usual toys are gone.  Instead we had gifts that were of more practical use: magazines, t-shirts, hoodies, bags, personal care stuff, computer accessories, and even a one year car registration!  I felt a bit sad (for just a moment) for this marked the beginning of young adulthood for Jacob, my youngest who's turning 13 next year, hence the absence of toys.  I recalled my very first Christmas with my future wife 30 years ago in her home in Project-2, Quezon City.  Her family was nearly complete with only one son living in Aotearoa New Zealand then.  Now, everyone is gone from the homeland: NZ, Australia, and heaven.  as for my family, we too are all over the planet: NZ, Philippines, United States, and my dad in heaven.  It is a bittersweet but also hopeful day.  Hopeful for a better time because the reason for the season is born!  Happy birthday Jesus Christ!