>Family Ties. Ricky's fourth aunt from Zamboanga stayed with us for a few days this week. She and her daughter Pinky arrived here for a two-week vacation. Can you imagine my mother-in-law has a total of 8 brothers and sisters - one in Manila, one in Cebu, and five in Zamboanga. Once they get togther, it's nice to hear them talk because they start catching up - what's happened to them, any malady or sickness in the family, what happened to their children/granchildren, what happened to their spouses including members of their spouses' families. Their real-life stories are more colorful than any TV melodrama! How can you beat hearing stories about death(s) to distant relatives or friends; whose spouse ran off with whom; who went abroad and who came back; what aches and pains they underwent and their corresponding remedies; criticisms on decisions made by which spouse; how the children are doing in school and work, etc., etc.... Ever since I was small, I've always liked to listen to grownups talking to each other. It's not really eavesdropping, more of like they were talking and all the while thinking I wouldn't understand.
What gives me inspiration is the fact that in times of trouble in the family, they all band together and support each other, try to be there to help or lend a hand. They show us that in spite of what they like and don't like about each other, they're still part of ONE family. My dad has 11 brothers and sisters - but that's for another day... he he.....