Sunday, October 15, 2006

Time flies so fast when you're having fun


I can’t believe it but my eldest daughter has officially graduated yesterday! As the cliché goes, it feels just like yesterday when I carried her in my arms, giving her smelling kisses from the neck all the way to her hair. What father did not enjoy the freshness of a baby, newly bathed and given a dose of oils, manzanilla and alcampurado and whatever stuff mothers and lolas give them? And yes, that fresh breath, devoid of impurities like meat, onions, garlic and what have you…

I remember that I would be late for work because I was playing with her on her crib. That first smile, the first step, the first words… each a milestone to her as a human being, a milestone for me and my wife as parents. We were in paradise.




So, this post is for my first born, who, in her own way, had given me much joy effortlessly and endlessly. Who, during the times of crisis in the family with the family matriarch being sick, diagnosed to be suffering from alzheimer’s (thank God I think the doctor made a miscalculation for she’s back!) rose to the occasion and took good care of her. And for that, we are forever grateful. So please, indulge with me a little more as I dedicate this poem for the very first angel in my life, my first born. I hope you like it, too.



Reversal of roles

I have seen her bathe you,
take you in her arms,
cuddle you more than her own

I witnessed how
she fed you with milk
as if it came from her bosom.

I saw the rituals she performed
to make you bright and bubbly.

she saw you grow
to who you are
and what you have become

this was yesterday
when the afternoon sun of her life
was at its highest!

and now, as you wear
your black toga and hat,
diploma in your hand,

she has reached the dusk,
awaiting dreams or even nightmares
in her sleep

old friends haunt her,
she calls them by name
although they have been long gone

from this world.
Tied to the wheelchair,
manacled to a sickness

that has no cure.
As I see you bathe, cuddle,
and feed that old soul, I know

that black robe and hat
and parchment paper are well earned
for you have not just learned

to count numbers or read a science book,
you have learned the most valuable lesson of all,
the lesson of life

and nana has taught you well. !

25 comments:

Vicky said...

Congratulations Rolly on one of the greatest achievements of your lives-you and your other half must be very very proud. And to your beloved daughter, maybe she has not realised yet how doors will be opened to her so widely with a college diploma. Congratulations to her as well and well done for all the hard work...this is the great result. A great relief and a blessing from the Lord. All the very best...

cathy said...

Congrats to the parents and to the graduate.

The Ca t

Titorolly, di ngiting hanggang tenga ka ngayon.

rolly said...

Vicky Thanks. Yes, we're very proud of her.

Cathy yes, hanggang tenga minsan lagpas pa. At least hindi mukhang ngiting aso hahaha

tintin said...

Congrats congrats congrats!!!!

She is a testament to part great temperament and a greater part to what her parents did right.

batjay said...

CONGRATULATIONS BOSSING!

one down and some more to go. i can almost feel how proud you are of your first born. panganay na graduate - talagang bagay na dapat isigaw sa buong mundo.

i am very happy for you.

Svelte Rogue said...

blessing upon blessing tito rolly. such a good man, with a lovely daughter... both with great love for their beloved nana. you bring so much lightness and joy to the world, tito rolly. thank you from the bottom of me hearty.

rolly said...

Tin Tin Thank you. I wish I could have gotten the credit alone. HAHAHAHA

Batjay Oo nga, three more to go. Di bale, di naman ako nagmamadali. hehe

Svelte Really? I hope so. The world is too complicated already.

auee said...

hey time to open the bubbly -- late nga lang post ko pero habol pa din...

Congrats to you, your family & siempre sa graduate.

Anonymous said...

salut, tito rolly, proficiat!

call me TH (trying hey) but if i keep my name away from you, it's as if you had a little angel smiling at you all the time: man, if this is a bit much, my apologies. still, congratulations to the firstborn.

rolly said...

Anonymous Merci!

It's nice to know there's an angel smiling at me all the time.

Bugsy Thank you. SYes, it's the only best gift we can give our children. I'm glad you liked the poem.

Vicky said...

Hi Rolly, i don't think I saw those pictures when I visited your site last- i just want to add that you have a very beautiful family there. You are so blessed. that poem is a great attribute. have a good week ahead.

JMom said...

Congratulations to your eldest and to you and your wife for raising such a wonderful and beautiful person.

I'm glad your MIL is back to her old self again. It helps to have a loving family around.

rolly said...

Vicky Yes, I couldn't get my hello working. Then, I realized I can use blogger directly to attach an image. Thanks. HAve a good week yourself.

JMom Thanks. My MIL is surprisingly back to her old self and my daughter is now one among thousands of unemployed graduates. She's been having calls but still looking for the best one.

ipanema said...

A beautiful post for a beautiful person. Congratulations to you all!

It's a lovely poem!

Tess Termulo said...

My dad would always tell me how he wish that I never grew up! I guess he misses his little girl who's now a lady :-). And I think I know a little about how you're feeling right now that your daughter is finally done with schooling. I remember how my dad cried when I got my license as a physician! He kept on hiding inside the bathroom, sniffling tears. Hahaha!

Congratulations to you and to your daughter! :-)

rolly said...

Ipanema Sorry for the late respoonse but I have been busy as always. Anyway, thank you for your kind words.

Tess Termulo Your family name is very familiar to me. If you have kids already, do any of your kids study in my school? Or maybe perhaps you took your high school there? At any rate, thanks for dropping by.

Anonymous said...

what a beautiful poem,rolly.so touching. your daughter is not only smart and pretty,she has a kind heart.

joyce said...

when our students take their vows during graduation, a sense of joy and pride fill our hearts...what more when it's our own children who make it to the finish line? congratulations sir!

joyce said...

AHEHEHE EXCUSE ME PO! parang mali yata yung VOWS...parang mga religious ah! hehehe when they take a BOW ang ibig kong sabihin hehehe sowee!!!

btw, sir, tignan mo pics ko sa latest blog ko, kasama ko mga guro sa NY (leovie, norman, froi, jun rupaniana, zaldy, dennis)

Rey A said...

Tito R, Congratulations to a dedicated father, loving mother and dutiful daughter...May He continually shower your family with His blessings.

Anonymous said...

i miss you
where is the cyber hug one is often sure to get when you are online?
hope all is well with you tito rolly

Anonymous said...

congratulations. you look every inch a proud father. another feather in your cap and another significant milestone in your life.

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS!

Nakakatuwa itong blog mo. Marami ka talagang matututunan and that's why I'd love to ask you if you'd be interested in doing a link exchange?

http://nostalgiamanila.blogspot.com

Nostalgia Manila is a new blog that's being shared by many Filipino readers from all over, and will be featured in the December issue of Marie Claire Philippines. Check it out.

Would love to link your blog to mine. :)

Many thanks,
--NM

rolly said...

Sachiko thank you. Yes, I think she does... I hope!

Joyce Sana matagal pa siyang gumawa ng vows... hehehe

Kakainggit pictures nyo! Sana ako rin makasama nyo dyan if only for just a while no?

Rey A Thank you for the well wishes.

Anonymous Okay naman kami dito. Medyo busy lang atsaka walang gaanong access sa computer sa school.

Bayi Definitely. Thanks!

rolly said...

NM I'm glad you liked my blog. I've been to yours before care of Sachiko and other cyber friends. I love it as it brings back very great memories of my youth.

Yes, let's exchange links. Thanks.