HEALING HUGS
“How are you, tita? What are you doing there? Are you still pretty…like me?” Ain’t that a sweet wake up ‘kiss’ at dawn? The text message was from my dear 6-year old niece Gwen who’s been endlessly bugging her mom and dad for my phone number. Unmindful of the 15 pesos per message charge, she fired away what was in her heart, grateful finally to get her favorite aunt’s number. Dear sweet thoughtful little lass. She didn’t realize it was the kind of message I’m dying to hear at the state of mind I’m in; her message is a tender kiss, a warm hug that soothes my weary soul. Just like Jus’ “abu, take care of yourself always, ‘mmy”; Lornz and Pinky’s “pangit, ingat ka lagi” (ugly, take care always); Jayz’s comforting “abu, pangit“; dad’s “hwag mong pababayaan sarili mo“; big brother bear’s “agannad ka dita, joytot“; manang Susan’s and auntie Ester’s “i love you, ading/naneng“; lanz’s “ingat, bru(ha)“; Reba’s “i love you”; aunt Ibay’s “keep praying, ‘basang’“; Pam’s sweet “hello”; my tita Remy’s sweet sing-song “Jooooy, kamusta ka na?” and her almost-everyday phone calls; Tess’ long heartwarming lovenote (after a decade and a half of no communication); Jonah’s jolly “uy, ‘musta kan, ‘pren“; sweet Mona Liza’s smiley note; Arvin and Jing’s lovely thank-you card for a thank-you note; Vina’s soft voice on the other end of America; Vic’s cheerful and touching note about his birthday; ate Rowena’s bridge-building; manang Coroy’s thoughtfulness; Carlito’s “kayo pa rin naman ni Jonah bestfriends ko ngayon, ah!”; Mike Allan’s “musta, ingat, kulot” from the desert; Xiao Shuang’s “gua ai li, don’t catch colds!”; August’s “hello, wo ai ni, lola“; my fellow warrior Michael’s voice –on the phone, on paper and on-screen; manong Ariel, manang Vangie, Arvin and Erika’s warm company in Vancouver; my literary soulmates Ms Lydia and Mr Reid’s inspiring emails; Ms Candy ‘crazy crow’s loving emails; charming Ms Carmen’s animated “singing” notes; Ms Kim’s “welcome” and encouraging e-notes; dear Mr B’s “abus” and “flame-thrower” comment; jolly Mr Big Foot’s (eFootprints– tracking my life’s prints) “we’ll always be there for you” notes
. . . these are healing hugs that lift my spirits up!
