Her song

We call her, Mama Lisa.  I think she’s a little shy of being five feet tall and it takes her a while to recognize your face, but that doesn’t define her loving heart and kind spirit.  She goes on dates to McDonald’s with my grandpa and wearing her best outfit with red lipstick and does exercise activities with her friends when her strength and health allows her to.  Mama Lisa always encouraged my cousins and I to do our best and go to school; she said it in a way that instilled motivated rather than fear.  She learned to read, write and improved her English by going to night classes along with the support of her husband.  Mama Lisa apologizes every time for her “weak” English, but I tell her that it’s perfect every time.

Her home was our haven and source of imagination.  My cousins and I filled that house with Barney tapes, Spice Girls songs, hide-n-seek games, blanket-made forts, and peanut butter sandwiches, Nesquik milk, and Yan-Yan.  We were more excited to sleep side-by-side on the living room floor rather than our own beds.  Her house was located in the perfect distance from the playground, bus stop, Fun Factory, and the mom ‘n’ pop store on the corner.  Most of my childhood memories took place in that house, which helps me to understand why family is such a great value in my life.

We grew up living by Mama Lisa’s unique quotes and sayings.  In her filipino accent, she advised us to fart because it’s healthy for us.  Other common sayings would be, “Keep quiet,” “You behave,” and “Cheese is good for the eyes.”  Mama Lisa claims that cheese comment to be true, especially because she always has a word search book in hand.  She sings the same tune with different lyrics each time as she walks and dances around the house.  My sister and I call those moments as Grandma singing the blues.  My favorite song is about how she feels unloved when my grandpa doesn’t listen to her, but little does she realize that my grandpa is hard of hearing.  I like to sit back and listen to their misunderstood conversations and admire their 50+ year long marriage.  My grandma’s song is definitely a Grammy Award Winner.

Mafia

I grew up with huge, family-oriented birthday parties, my birthday in particular because it always fell around Easter time. My mom and my sister planned thee funniest backyard games where us kids ended up with cracked eggs in our hands, soaked shirts from water balloons, or stickers on our faces just because. It was a time of no shame and just plain, simple fun. Not every year was like that, but I always remembered how my parents made it a point to celebrate my birthday. Blessed is an understatement.

Since I’ve been in California for school, I haven’t had the privilege to have those childhood birthday celebrations anymore. So slowly but surely, I’ve been creating my own little celebrations with a different kind of family. I like to call them, Mafia, a group of friends from House of Grace. A year ago the Mafia threw a Hawaiian theme surprise birthday party for me. My boyfriend (top right in the black shirt, the one with the bromance stare to the guy in the green, Hawaiian shirt) was the one who brought me to the party making me think that we were making a detour before my birthday dinner. I’ve never had a surprise party before. Typically, I would be the one behind the scenes planning and screaming SURPRISE instead of being the one walking into a room wondering why the lights are off. I was definitely overwhelmed with love and their companionship overflowed my homesick heart.

“Friends are family members you choose.”

Siblings

I’ve always wanted a brother as long as I can remember. My sister and I would usually complain about that around Christmas time when we’re struggling to put Christmas lights around the house. My auntie was lucky; she had five brothers that watched out for her, five brothers who loved her, and five brothers that carried her to her final resting place. Like any other family-oriented person, she loved talking stories and gossip with my mom and dad. Even though my parents moved out of the neighborhood, they were never out of the loop. Although we’re still feeling the lost of her physical being, we still feel the love and spirit that she brought to our lives. It’s been almost seven months now, but the emotions remain fresh and unforgettable. Rest in peace Auntie and “enjoy the view from heaven; beats the hell out of mine here.”

Betty and Veronica

My best friend and I were obsessed with Archie comic books to the point where we identified ourselves as Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge. These two characters were complete opposites, just like our friendship. Betty (me) was a little more laid back and simple while Veronica (Tiani) was basically a diva. But through the many stories of Betty and Veronica agreeing and disagreeing, differences, and fighting over the same boy, they always seemed to hold that strong bond no matter what. Now, I know that it’s just comic book stories, but I like to think that no matter what Tiani and I go through, even the ups and downs and silent grudges, I can’t just flush a 22-year-old friendship down the drain.

So cheers to friendship. May the good times, girl talk, and dancing heavily outweigh the fights, gossip, and distance.

Hugs

Her favorite uncle