Holly week
PLEASE do not judge me from this, surely the title will make some uneasy or some awkwardness. While some may have their own traditions from this time, we have ours too. Normally it is a travel to some place with mom and dad with every one tagging along, as usual.
Time with family is our showcase. It does seem out of the norm, but this is who we are as a family, with respect for one another. Mom of course is the most religious. We will drive her to her "Bisita Iglesias".
While for most it is no meat, it is no longer a problem as most of us in the family have shied away from meat already. It has made us healthier too. Not vegetarians but just a little for taste or for me, flavoring when I cook. It’s mostly seafoods though for this time.
In this sojourns, Gheni and me take turns in the preparation for meals. She's Kapangpangan so you get the drift. I am, well, just a cook. That is especially for family. They are my number one fans. Surely for Gheni and me included. Of course we just love the cooking of someone else other than ourselves.
Sometimes I cook for breakfast or lunch then the other way around next but for dinner it will be just the two of us. We always have 13 kids in tow. Please understand that while we adults practice some sort of tradition, the kids just want to be fed and growing as they may be, we just can't initiate a fast for any of them yet.
Nothing ever lavish here, just home cooking with Lolo and Lola, us and our spouses then thirteen children total. All together. I mean all. We travel always together. It is during this time when we come as one.
Bookings are done months before, plans are made every Sunday during our traditional family lunch. It is just the same every week, except for this time, when we travel to some place, and for more days than just a weekend.
It is during this time when we leave mom and dad to just relax. We do everything. On Sundays they serve us, it is the other way this time. Imagine for them, it is every week and for us, just a week. But who is counting. It has always been this way since we grew this big as a family.
It just gets better and better every year. Lots of memories made. Bonding even stronger. Stories told by the dining table, from the morning coffee till the evening cognac, just us with mom and dad. Some little squabbles or arguments but mostly laughing. When one is disappointed, surely laughter erupts. Talo ang pikon. We will always break bread no matter what. No one ever leaves with a heavy heart. Ever.
This time is our time. Kids will always be kids. The older ones, the teens all group together. Surely some stories told from trips abroad or afar.
Pr i n te d a n d d i s t r i b u te d by P ressReader