Switching On the Sun

FB reminded me of my wife's birthday 2 days ago... Not that I have to be reminded of such special day... As a matter of fact, I already greeted her the night prior as soon as the clock struck out of Sept 1's last second while presenting my gift to her in all its "unwrapped" glory... I was reminded again yesterday as if urging me on to FB-post a birthday greeting however late. But then, the thing is that, I don't really FB-post a birthday greeting for someone I can actually greet personally... As to anything event-related, I usually post an acknowledgment instead or a testimonial, a recollection and the like; not for her directly but for others to serve as witnesses to what I'd rather express seemingly shouting it to the world... My wife then asked me how come I haven't greeted her on Facebook via any kind of posting... I was like "Huh?! Like I already greeted you last night..." Yes, that was totally "unsweet(ened)" or insensitive ...

It’s neither positive nor negative… But if it’s a score out of at least a few, it’s negative. If it’s a result out of something that’s supposed to be consumed or dissolved however, then it’s positive. Thus zero could mean good or bad depending on what it’s tallied for. Age-wise, zero could perhaps be marked when one hasn’t reached the age of one or hasn’t completed a full year commemorated on his/her birthday. My son was born on a leap day 3 years ago. Technically, commemoration of his 1st birthday on its actual day would be next year. When asked how old he is, he responds with “zero”. By some means, he could be likened to zero. He is endearing yet he could be bothersome as expected of his age. Age? But then again, he’s “zero”… Exactly! He’s both delightful and demanding though his being “zero” is “him” being even and not odd; in the same way how exacting he could get nevertheless he is still some treat for an amusement. As he grows, his interest varies. He’s now into wearing my ...

Falling on a Saturday, my daughter’s 9th birthday was rather celebrated with family. The idea of throwing a party in school would mean celebrating it on a day other than her actual birthday. It’s not much of a tight spot but neither would it be exact… Thus, Feb. 19th proved its fitting essence.  Before another year adds to my daughter’s 9 years of existence of which is a closer stage to adolescence, the thought of taking advantage of her still not into “can-I-just-celebrate-with-my-friends” sort of awkward moment was rather set into an ideal perspective. Quite simultaneous, my brother was in town for a business trip. Being the generous person that he is and as a fitting birthday treat for her niece, he delighted us with a hearty breakfast before heading back to Manila. Having planned for an intimate family get-together for lunch somewhere similarly conveying that natural warmth for an ambiance, I asked my brother to extend a bit and join us to make the celebration more jovial. I ...

My father would have been 83 years old today. Before leaving us almost 11 years ago, by his hospital bed in the middle of the night while everyone was soundly asleep, my mother felt his warm and tight embrace seemingly implying of finally letting go. He was 72. Naturally sad as we were, at any rate, we were consoled by the fact that he succumbed to a considered most-painful cancer (pancreatic) peacefully. Quite the opposite, just the other day, my wife’s grandaunt went through a bumpy path. A coarse course so to speak as she was among 41 passengers who chanced on their demise in the course of a bus falling off a 150-foot deep ravine. She was 57. It was tragic. Come to think of it, 57 could be the “mystified” opposite form of 72. The position of “7”, a considered lucky number, was switched. “5” when flipped vertically is “2”. 5 + 2 = 7 but “lucky number” has presumably been severed with the bigger apportionment of the now split luck seems to live up to its oddness which is “5”, ...

When my son was about to be born a little over two years ago, we decided for my wife to conceive on the 29th of February instead. Jokingly, we thought it would be cost-effective celebrating his birthday only after every four years. In fact, the idea of one’s birthday falling on a day that rarely comes by has all-the-rage sense into it. A contention on when to annually celebrate it was likewise brought up. Some argues on holding it on the 28th as it is still within the birth month while I believe March 1 to be more precise. As if the 29th occurring after the 28th isn’t enough, birthdays are usually celebrated for the whole year that passed completing a celebrant’s age and for the start of another year. Thus, commemorating it after the 28th is more e xact. Last March 1, we celebrated my son Lucas ’ 2nd birthday. Like that of his sister Chakai’s b-day recently, we rather marked his natal day minus a big party; not that he wouldn’t mind nor he already values practicality, it’s just that...

Children’s birthdays are preferably celebrated with a party at least for those who can afford. Whereas for the average family, it would somehow entail considerable budgeting. Yesterday was my daughter ’s 8th birthday. We thought of throwing a party for her at school with her classmates. Though (children’s) parties are usually prompted with themes in consideration of the celebrant’s liking, the parents typically impose its overall actuation. In some cases, ours perhaps, it’s the resources that dictate. However, could the children have favored otherwise or innocently cared less? Are the gifts thought of instead more than the gathering? Do they really assent to its realization? It’s likely for our comprehension of the reason behind celebrations. Thus, I asked our daughter what she likes for her birthday. After a-second-or-two of thoroughgoing contemplation, “so it seems”, she wants a “twist car”. I asked if she was sure, she affirmed in redundance as she said yes simultaneously smilin...