MEComposing

My favorite aunt was regalling JRA with stories of my childhood/babyhood... she couldn't help but laugh everytime she tells of how, even when I was bawling my heart out, i'd always stop when asked to sing, and then i'd pick up where I left my tears and start crying again...

And then she commented... that is why mothers (or parents) can never ever really get angry with their children, or turn their backs on them... because in their hearts, they'd always remember the childhood antics and baby cuteness of their children...

*~*

My Dad's fave story of me is that time we attended Mass in Antipolo Church. My Dad, carrying me in his arms, leaned over so I can dip my fingers in the Holy Water... and supposedly make the sign of the cross.

I did make the sign of the cross... only, I did it not to myself, but to the statue of the Blessed Virgin holding the shell of Holy Water.

Maybe I figured, her hands were full and she needed help.

*~*

My cousin's fave story is how, every morning when am in Bicol... my maternal grandma would walk the length of the seawall with me in her arms, to catch the early morning sun's rays...

One time, she fell off the seawall...

But I was unharmed... because she cradled me in her arms and landed on the rocks, with me lying on her chest.

*~*

Mom would also often tell me... how, after Mass in Paco Church, my Dad was hit by a car...

I was in his arms and the impact found me hurtling in the air...

To land on vegetables being sold along the sidewalk.

Yes, I was also unharmed.

*~*

It's also family legend already, that story when I was found under a buffet table... all red and filled with rashes... inebriated to the core and not even 3 years old... in one family gathering where someone didn't notice that he or she was giving me PUNCH and not JUICE...

And of course, how insanely mad my lola was...

*~*

As a token role reversal... I keep telling of how my bro and I once had a trash can between us at the foot of my parents' bed, as we were eating butong pakwan (watermelon seeds), and taking turns feeding a happily cooing Grace who was sitting on the bed.

She got too excited and fell head first into the trash can.

My bro and I were stunned for a minute before we scrambled to help our sister out of the trash can... but not before laughing at her first as we watched her wave her legs in the air...

Luckily, she laughed happily again on the bed. And we kept laughing and laughing and laughing about it.

And that's the only time I can remember being UNABLE to eat butong pakwan.

*~*

Got this from my friend Lorie. If you have time, please take this test...