home

I wasn't particularly eager to go home, even though the Covid years were over. However, I needed to take care of some important paperwork, which necessitated my return.

Four years felt like a long time, but when I reunited with my siblings, it wasn't the TikTok-style surprise or the YouTube shorts filled with tears and joy that I had imagined. It was rather subdued, as if we had just seen each other the day before.

I lost contact with one of my siblings after the passing of our father. He left the country and traveled extensively, but during those travels, he realized that family matters most. He reached out to me and my sister, and we transitioned from short conversations to longer online meetings. Our reunion in Manila after so many years was truly rewarding.

I decided to organize a swimming party to meet all of my relatives, and most of my family members attended. The majority were from my father's side, as most of them reside in the Philippines. My mother's side is a different story, scattered around the world, making a reunion nearly impossible.

Regardless, the party was a success. I learned a lot about my family—sharing their regrets, joys, sorrows, hopes, and dreams. I am very grateful for that opportunity. There was a karaoke session, but I chose not to participate; instead, I enjoyed chatting with my aunts, uncles, siblings, and cousins. It was a wonderful reunion.

Since that day, our family bond has grown stronger. Many past grievances have lost their significance and most have been forgotten. It was a time of renewal, friendship, and love. Following that, we enjoyed more reunions where we celebrated happiness through weddings, birthdays, and special occasions.