Mind of a fickle

I miss spending Holy Week in the Philippines. I miss the tradition or reverence for the Passion of Christ that my mommy has instilled in me. During my early childhood until late teens (before mommy got sick and died), mommy, has honed us to observe Lent. During the season, there would be Stations of the Cross (one station, one house) in various houses that we would go to. We will leave after dinner and end up close to midnight. This would take from the bayan" (Binan's center) then almost at barangay De La Paz (is it barangay? not really sure hahaha). Fourteen houses to go to then at the 14th station, the hosts will usually provide some refreshments. (hmmm. i can see my hubby snickering and saying out loud that i just join them for that, hee hee) Then, on the Holy Week itself, Holy Mondays and Tuesdays might have a procession or two, or longer prayer time because the Stations of the Cross was recited. Holy Wednesdays are meant for this procession that have a lot of S...

This year was spent with potluck dinner with families in color coded shirts, FILA sandals courtesy of a benefactor of St. Michael's Church, and two friends and their family who will be migrating down under. We came in late, as usual. Ate the sumptous buffet spread then went to mass. For the first time, since we joined in, we managed to get front row seats at the church. After that, we went back to Friend B's house to exchange gifts with our other friends and took silly 2x2/ala-Korean telenovela pictures. We went home sated and happy then woke up early to prepare for our Christmas mini-party with Pre's barkada which started at 2pm and ended at 10pm. Tiring as it was, I was contented to see my family enjoying Christmas.

I sometimes feel deflated that my kids won't be able to know the traditions Pre and I grew up with. I may be sentimental because Christmas is near. But, deep in my heart, I am questioningour decision to bring up kids far from the motherland. Some thoughts I have. Though there's TFC, my kids still don't know what parol is (However, Pre is volunteering to make one). Dawter T is a picky eater, what if bibingka and puto bumbong suits her tastebuds? And although Bebi A sleeps early, what if Simbang gabi is something she would like to do? It's a different country, alright. At this time of the year in Pinas, you'll constantly hear Christmas songs on the radio. Most houses have put up blinking lights (dito ang mga meron ay yung mga nagcelebrate ng Deepavali hehehe). Hayyy kakamiss. Wish I'm home no matter how sad my past (post Mommy Julit/Daddy Roging) Pinas Christmases were.