When we were younger you were not my favorite person. There were even moments when I resented you.
You were fairer, prettier, taller, and dantier. I was not as fair, not as pretty, not as tall, and was a hellcat; always coming home with soot and bruises.
Your dolls were always more beautiful, your jumps in Chinese garter were higher; ikaw ang laging "Mother". You always had the pink stuff because you were older; and I was left with the yellow colored clothes. Nauna kang nakapili kay Pink Five kasi mas matanda ka. Sakin tuloy lagi si Yellow Four.
You started joining the santacruzan when you were in grade school. Ako ga-graduate na ng college hindi pa rin.
Boys started courting you when you were ten years old, ako nakapag debut na at lahat wala pa rin.
You had a number of suitors, left and right; while I had not a single one.
We weren't always close. I remember how ridiculously hard we fought when we were kids. We would literally tear each other's hairs out, and kick each other's shins without crying out for fear of our parents finding out. I even came home with a big bruise on my shoulder because you hit me with a plastic My Little Pony figure.
Do you remember when Daddy handed each of us a knife because we wouldn't stop fighting?
Do you remember the time when you would hide my stuff to get back at me for being mean to you?
Do you remember noon na lagi kitang sinusumbong at pinapahamak kina Mama para mapalo ka?
We were each other's worst enemy. No one made us cry harder but each other.
But we were also each other's best critic. I could always count on you to tell me things straight; no matter how painful the truth hurt. You were never one to mince words; and you never held yourself back when you need to confront me about something - be it my, silliness, or outright stupidity.
You were always there looking out for me. Sa school, school service, sa love, sa life, and on the streets. You are my food trip buddy. I remember the time when we both decided to call in sick from work and we just went to buy whatever food we wanted. We ended up not eating half of the food because we were just too full.
I remember when I would help you keep secrets from Mama and you asked me not to tell her where you were. And I still haven't told her, don't worry.
Of all people I've met on this earth, you are one who has never broken a promise. Thank you for the digicam, my wedding gift, the TV, shoes, bag, and everything else.
Even when you're not in the Philippines, you still are my confidant. You were the first one who knew of my break up with Kelvin. You were the first person I broke the news to when Kel and I got engaged. And you called me seconds after I sent you my news.
You can't imagine how much I appreciate how strong and brave you are. I can only imagine the pain of homesickness you feel in the past months. I am so proud of the woman you have become. Because of the sacrifices you have made for your dreams and for our family, you are now braver, stronger, and more beautiful, inside and out. Our family can never be prouder as we are now.
Keep chasing your dreams, Ate. Come home when you can. We miss you. We're here, waiting for the moment you can come home and I can say all this to you in person.
Happy birthday, Ate. I love you.
I'll see you in six months. :-)
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Wedding Blog: http://ourroadtothealtar.blogspot.com/
My life's blog: http://www.sentimentsofleng.blogspot.com/
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