A letter to my Dearest Brothers
Dear Kuya Bimbo, Kuya Boyet, and Kuya Benjz,
Hi Guys! I guess you are all surprised about this letter. How’s everybody doing? So much has happened all these years I have not seen all of you in person. Almost 17 years for Kuya Benjz, 7 years for Kuya Bimbo (am I correct?), and though just 2 months for Kuya Boyet…..how I missed you guys (together with your families) so much! It makes me sad whenever the thought comes to my mind that all of my Kuyas have left home…left the country and are not within easy reach. Nevertheless, of course I am happy for all of you, I know you are all doing well and happy in your new homes.
To Kuya Bimbo, it has been years since “walang nang-aasar sa akin!” How we miss your (quite) funny antics, your dance moves (duh!), your (mala-high blood pressure) temper when things are not going your way, and most of all your (nakaka-hilong) pagda-drive.
To Kuya Boyet, though you have been away for just over 2 months now, of course we miss you and your family. We already miss your kasupladuhan (don’t get mad now…sometimes lang naman), Sunday lunches at Mama’s house, and of course how we miss Robbie Martin…my aspiring showbiz brother.
To Kuya Benjz, I can’t imagine that it has been that long since you were here in Manila…Gosh! 17 years! I remember the last time you came home was for my 18th birthday celebration. What a joyful surprise that was which made my party a memorable one. Since you’re the longest one away from home, of course you are terribly missed by all of us. How we miss your dimpled cheeks, your rendition of the song “home”, answering countless telephone calls from different girls… How sad that you missed my wedding and have not even met (in person) my husband…so with my kids…and I have yet to meet my niece and nephew from you…oh well, I know in time we could all meet again somehow, somewhere, sometime.
So many special occasions have passed that we cannot celebrate together, but for sure, all of you know that you guys are in our hearts and minds. Thanks to YM, SMS, Chikka, Email, and Webcam—for keeping us in contact with each other.
What saddens me is the thought that all of you, who I have known all my life and grew up with, are all away from home now. With Papa (bless his good soul) at home already with God, who else would there be to protect the girls in our family? Fortunately, I have my husband. With two more brothers-in-law and two grown-up nephews at home…what more can I ask for? But of course, there’s no replacement for you guys.
To you, Lababo (Kuya Bimbo), Bukol (Kuya Boyet), and Buddha (Kuya Benjz), you will always be a special part of my life and my dearest brothers. I wait for our family to reunite once more…Imagine Mama together with 7 children, 6 children-in-law, and 18 grand children…what a blast! Who knows, maybe here in the Philippines or maybe even there, in the land of milk and honey.
Take care my Dear Kuyas, you are all in my prayers.
Love,
Tikmol
