CHRISTMAS IS HERE! It’s obvious we’re all excited when this time of the year comes. We have lots of things to do from the what food shall be on the table, who’ll get the biggest gift and of course, the traditional Noche Buena.
And this Christmas, I think, was too different from the past years. Strangely enough, many people blessed me and I really felt guilty. I don’t have anything to give. People from church, office and our house have something for me. I want to show them how much I want to thank them.
So I came up with a plan on who to give a gift in January. It broke my heart when I realized that my family came last to my mind. That they weren’t included in the people I felt I’m indebted with.
Well, my family isn’t perfect let me tell you that. I don’t have the best childhood too and we’re not financially stable back then. BUT, despite all the flaws I can say, THEY WERE THERE FOR ME.
When things don’t go in my plan, I get upset and they calm me down. I’m not the kind of daughter too ( that sums up who I am, by the way). But, THEY WERE ALWAYS THERE. They adjusted to who I am and to what I feel. Mood swings are included and tantrums too.
I don’t have the right to act up since I’m the middle child, but they adjusted to all the trouble. And as I was writing this, I felt overwhelmed about how much my family had done to me.
To my parents, who nags me, thank you. Thank you for the tons of ‘I-told-you-so’. Because of that, I’ve always had those same situations etched in my mind. I repeated a few mistakes I did before but I’ve learned my lessons. Thank you for making me laugh with your jokes, Pa. I love how you try to cheer up the mood. And to my mom, thank you for making me strong. Don’t worry, I’ve inherited it all so no one can hurt me without my permission.
To my siblings, I’m sorry about being a not-so-good sister. I’m irresponsible but you keep on loving me. Marlon, thank you for tolerating me all the time. Thank you for being the older one when I tend to be childish. Benedict, I’m sorry for being the ‘bad guy’ in your childhood. Thank you for being my little brother. Kuya, I’m sorry for hating you. I was too immature for not understanding your personal situation.
And to my oldest sister, I’ve written this because I don’t have any gift to give. I just want to let you know how proud I am because you’re my sister. You always do things for us, that sometimes I wonder if you have enough time for yourself. Thank you for sacrificing for us. And this year, you’ve done a lot. You did great, Ate. You’re one of the greatest gifts God had given me. I love you. I love you so much.
These words aren’t enough to tell how much I’m grateful towards my family. This may not be enough to show how I really feel. This might be the only gift I can give you for now but don’t worry, I’ll be better than how I am right now. I’ll strive to be the strongest among us so that you can lean on me. Until then, I’ll be here and help you so that I would be a less burden to the whole family.
To anyone who reads this, let’s all be grateful for what God has blessed us. If we learn little by little how to thank Him for everything we have, maybe our hearts will be lighter. Nobody’s perfect and for every imperfect person, there is someone beside them. It might be your friends, colleagues, classmates or your loved ones instead of your family. But family isn’t just all about blood, they come in those forms too. So, to whoever it is by your side, take a minute or two to just thank them for existing. It’s not much but it would make them see what they mean to you. It will be the best gift we could give to show how much we appreciate everything they do for us.
Merry Christmas!
InqPOP!/ Marites Mangibin
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