family / friends non-food

My Dear Alexia Turns 4

Tuesday, February 11, 2014Enz F

Alexia.

Mayroon akong isang kahilingan, batang makulit. Pwede bang huwag ka muna magmadaling tumanda. Kung maaari lang sana. Marami pa kasi tayong papanooring episodes ng Dora. Marami ka pang susuutin na fairy tale costumes. Marami pa tayong pupuntahan na kiddie museums. Marami pa tayong kakaining ice cream. Sasakay pa tayo ng roller coaster. Magtatampisaw pa tayo sa beach. Kakain pa tayo ng maraming strawberries na paborito mo. Maglalaro pa tayo ng bubbles. Papanoorin pa kitang maligo sa ulan. Ikukwento mo pa sa akin si Barbie. Kakantahan mo pa ako ng “Twinkle, Twinkle little stars,” dapat kumpleto na ang lyrics at hindi na nabubulol. Magbibilang pa tayo ng lagpas dalawampu.


I have one request, my playful lass. Please do not grow up yet. If that is possible, then I would be grateful. There are still a lot of Dora episodes that we are yet to watch. A number of fairy tale costumes that will surely fit you. How do you find strolling at the kiddie museums? I know you love ice cream and there are still lots of flavors that are worth trying on. Together, we will defy the heights through a roller coaster ride. And yes, we are still planning to wade in the beach waters. How about to munch a bunch of your favorite strawberries? Play with the bubbles, maybe. I still want to watch you enjoy the rain. And not to miss our Barbie story-telling session. You are yet to sing for me, "Twinkle, Twinkle little stars," with complete and clear lyrics this time. Have you already learned to count beyond twenty?
*******
Pwede ba iyon, batang madaldal? Hindi pa kasi nagsasawa si Tito sa mga kwento mo. Baka kasi mangulila ako sa mga yakap at halik mo. Magpapabuhat ka pa sa akin at ngingiti tayo sa harap ng salamin habang nagme-makeface. Hahanap-hanapin ko rin ang matining na boses mo kapag sumisigaw at nagta-tantrums, o kaya naman ang mga hikbi mo sa tuwing tatakbo ka papunta sa akin kapag pinapagalitan ni Mommy at Daddy. Kapag may sakit si Tito ay mabilis na napapagaling ng mga yapos mo. Natutuwa ako sa tuwing sinasayaw mo ang favorite shampoo commercial mo, o kapag ginagaya mo ang mga sikat na linya ni Angelika Panganiban at Angel Locsin. Gusto ko pa kasi na basahan mo ako ng mga kuwento sa story book mo, kahit paulit-ulit, ayos lang. Ipapakita mo pa sa akin ang mga larawan na ikaw mismo ang nag-drawing. Para sa akin ay isa iyong obra-maestrang likha ng mga munting kamay mo. Batang malambing, mapagbibigyan mo ba si Tito?


Would that be possible, my talkative child? Uncle is not yet tired of listening to your stories and will never be. I am afraid to long for your hugs and kisses. I still want to carry you, smile with you in front of the mirror and laugh together as we make fun of our face. Your high-pitched voice is music to my ears as you scream and throw your baby tantrums, and your sobs are my comforters as you scarf your teary face on my shoulders every time you run to me when Mommy and Daddy scold you. When Uncle is sick, he feels better with your embrace. You make me burst in laughter every time you dance to your favorite shampoo commercial, or when you imitate the famous movie lines of Angelika Panganiban and Angel Locsin. Please read me more stories from your storybook, I do not care if it is the same old Barbie story. Your little hands are still learning to draw beautiful things. I cannot wait to see your first masterpiece! Tender child, would you give in to Uncle’s wishes?
*******
Remember that life is never easy and not all wishes do come true.
Pero sige na nga, mahal ko. Alam ko namang excited ka sa araw na ito. Ini-imagine mo na kung anong kulay ng birthday cake mo at kung gaano ito kalaki. Sa katunayan, lagi mo kaming kinukulit kung kailan ka muling magsisindi at iihip ng kandila. Noong nakaraang taon, tuwang-tuwa ka sa pakpak mong Thinker Belle. Pasensya ka na, wala muna tayong party ngayon, pero ibinili ka naman nila Mommy at Daddy ng cake. Pasensya ka na rin walang regalo si Tito sa iyo ngayon. Pangako, babawi ako sa susunod na taon. Mabuti na lang musmos pa ang isip mo at hindi mo pa alintana kapag tayo ay kapos. Mabuti na lamang at hindi ka pa mahirap pasayahin. Mabuti na lang at bata ka pa. Mabuti na lamang, hindi ka pa tumatanda.

But go ahead, my dear. I understand how excited you are today. You have waited so long to see how colorful and huge your cake will be. And I know you cannot wait to blow your candles. Last year, I saw how happy you were, wearing your Thinker Belle costumes and wings. Please pardon us if we cannot throw you a party this year, but do not fret because Mommy and Daddy bought you a cake. And forgive Uncle because he does not have a gift for you. I promise to make it up to you next year. Your mind is still young to discern our shortcomings. It is not yet hard to please you. Good thing you are still young and clueless. Please do not grow up. Not yet.
*******
May you find happiness as you unfold the chapters of your journey.
Dalangin ko na maging pinakamaningning ang apat na kandila sa ibabaw ng iyong cake. Kasing ningning ng magandang hinaharap na naghihintay sa iyo. Nawa ay maging maligaya ka sa unti-unting pagbuklat mo sa bawat pahina ng iyong paglalakbay at biyayaan ng nag-uumapaw na pagmamahal sa iyong puso habang tinatahak mo ang landas na itinakda sa iyo ng ating mabuting Diyos. Maging masusi at matalino ka nawa sa lahat ng iyong pagpapasya. Alalahanin mo lagi na hindi madali ang mabuhay at hindi lahat ng bagay ay naaayon sa ating kagustuhan. May pagdadaanan kang pait at kalungkutan. Gayunpaman, ipinagsarasal ko na sana ay maging bukas ang iyong puso at maging matatag ka habang nagpapakilala sa iyong harapan ang katotohanan ng buhay.


I wish that you receive the four brightest candles for your cake. As bright as the beautiful future that awaits you. May you find happiness as you unfold the chapters of your journey and may you be blessed with overwhelming love as you tread on the path set for you by the good Lord. May He grant you with wisdom in all your decisions. Remember that life is never easy and not all wishes do come true. You will face a lot of bitterness and sorrow. Nonetheless, I pray that you will be granted with an open heart and resilience while understanding the reality of life.
 *******
Let us make colorful stories of your childhood.
Mahal kong Alexia, maligayang ikaapat na kaarawan. Maaaring hindi mo pa nauunawaan, ngunit ang apat na taon ng pagdating mo ay apat na pinakamasasayang taon ng aming buhay. At ako ay nananabik na pagmasdan ang unti-unti mong pamumukadkad bilang isang maganda, matalino, palaban at mapagmahal na babae balang araw. At ipagmamalaki ka ni Tito. Pero sa ngayon, huwag ka muna sanang magmadali mahal kong pamangkin, dahil pipintahan pa natin ng makukulay na kuwento at alaala ang iyong kamusmusan. Mahal ka namin ngayon at magpakailanman.


My dear Alexia, happy fourth birthday. You might not understand yet, but the four years since you came to us is the four happiest years of our lives. And I feel so excited as I watch you gradually bloom into a beautiful, intelligent, strong and loving woman someday. I will surely be a proud Uncle. But as for now, oh please do not grow up yet my loving niece, as we will still be painting your childhood with colorful stories and memories. We love you now and forever.
*******

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2 comments

  1. Enzo...beautiful and awesome :) My stops beating reading this its so deep :)

    ReplyDelete

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