Look How Far We’ve Come
Not much planning was involved in my maternal family reunion. Who could ever
think we would meet in Florida,
USA with the last of the Mohicans, my 87 year old
aunt, my mom’s only living sibling! Thanks to smart phones which invaded the lives of
senior citizens. Our grandchildren were amused to see us press the keys so hard and long only to be released until kingdom come
to get through the messages. We doubted that a soft touch is enough to communicate. Nevertheless, what my aunt and I planned to be a secret visit to the US became viral within
the family. There was euphoria on
a family reunion that my third
cousin with the support of my aunt organized a get together of
families in a vertical and horizontal relationships. So from Ireland, Italy,
London, Philippines, Ohio, San Diego, Arkansas, Kentucky, Bradenton, Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale came by ones
or twos just like the creatures in Noah’s ark to take refuge in Davenport , Orlando accessible to Disneyworld for the kids
and old alike! I finally met my four
female siblings, some after many long years.
We didn’t plan any
activity as most family reunions do. Our purpose was only to meet on possible
dates for all of us even if it’s two months short of my aunt’s 88th birthday. What made the reunion near
authentic were the printed t-shirts
I brought with me from the Philippines; albeit not enough for attendees but everyone has his/her share
of wearing it for pictorials with
the theme, “Look how far we’ve come!"
Our days were spent in shuttling from one place to another with my
nephew and smart niece on the wheels. We dipped down the blue sea
of Clearwater, beat the scorching
sun at the Miami beach, shop at
Walmart, and explored designer outlets nearby. We then punctuated our journey at my aunt’s home in Bradenton, the most photographed place sent to my mother in the early 70’s. We just swoon over the
pictures then without a hint that my siblings and I could
pose at this place in our old age.
The evenings were for kids’ pool time, cooking, eating, drinking for those who
loved wine and reminiscing the good old days of our roots with informations all contained in an 87-year old brain. According to one blogger,
all these informations would be
lost if each of us will only be
too absorbed in the context of our own lives. So here, we all felt a sense of
belongingness and connectivity realizing
where we came from and what values were handed down to us.
Our Heritage
In the audience almost all could relate to these traits. To stay in a foreign land and blend into a different culture, one
must possess guts, tact and
courage and my siblings and cousins had proven it. But my niece who looked like a pretty Indian surpassed them all. A single mother of six she told of how she was able
to transform her trauma to triumph. Many were impressed of her
ability to hold on.
Our Values
Close
family ties:
Chinese are very family oriented.
Their siblings’ children are their
children too. My aunt said, they didn’t have sibling rivalry. They never fought except the elder siblings would
reprimand the younger for some wrongdoings Theirs was a family where a member
is loved the best but grumbled the most. No wonder my aunt considered her siblings children as her own. She
was free to reprimand, advise and support. We soon identified which family had healthy bond, like our parents’
family. This trait could be seen only in few of our families.
Courage and
tact:
She told of how she was spared from death when Japanese soldiers ran after the five of them who were teenagers then.
They ran so fast but she bravely departed
from her friends. When everything quieted down, my mother’s family cried a bucket when they saw my
aunt’s companions dead with their heads a meter away from their bodies. Where
could my aunt be when the five were inseparables,
they asked. To the relief of the family my aunt came out from hiding in one direction, unscathed. In the family we realized that even if we lose everything, we never did let go of courage. This has ushered us to where we are at
present.
Determined and Hopeful:
My aunt was very determined
to have a good life. She believed
that how God designed you in your mother’s womb He will supply what you need and guide you in your ways to reach your destiny. So there’s no need of comparing one’s life to another. She and her
siblings have different life’s path but they were still supportive of each
other. No place for envy, just bloom where you are planted!
She was instructed by her
boyfriend a Colonel in the US Army to go to the
states for their wedding.
She did not pass the interview in the embassy and she dismissed the plan of going abroad and marriage. But then Col. Doriot requested Mr. Walter to introduce a bill in the House of
Congress for a fiancée visa. It
was approved on August 4, 1959 and
my aunt went to the states
under the first fiancee visa. If I am right that was House bill no. 8533. All fiancée visas given thereafter were results of the 1959 bill. She
lived a comfortable and very satisfied life.That was her design.
Was it also a
coincidence that three of my siblings married foreigners? How they were able to hold on to their marriage
until old age spoke of the same trace of blood that runs through their veins.
The tie that binds:
This family
reunion has brought the best result ever, the healing of broken relationship.
Those who had misunderstandings in the past met for the first time.
There was no formal asking of forgiveness. Just a hug and a kiss, and the broken pieces were restored.
I believe that in this
present age, family members could
keep in touch through phones, skype,
facetime, viber but "nothing beats a face to face gathering where we
could reconnect". Even if we have come so far, this gathering could "calm those yearnings of knowing who we are by reconnecting to
our roots". Lastly I can say that family reunions are for keeps!
