What has happened in the last decade?
The fall and death of Saddam Hussein, the September 11 World Trade Center attack, the death of John Paul II, the election of the first African American president, the texting mania and the jejemon craze.
Relevant turn of events here and abroad, but back to reality …in the heart of a family like ours, the last decade has been a test of grit and love.
In the last 10 years, my eldest bother Loretz found himself clucking many times when his job on the ship was in danger. He has shifted between Catholicism and his wife’s Protestant belief, nevertheless he has found peace and maintained his childlike personality. From his boat travels, he settles in his home base in Cagayan de Oro City.
Third sibling Lourna juggled roles of official caregiver of our mom and dad (bless his soul now!) while her husband labored as an OFW. Her emotions swing up and down especially when our mother displays difficult signs of old age. Yet she maintains her gift of gab even if running her household in Talisay City, Cebu, can be trying.
Fourth sibling Lorvic believed he could give a better life to his growing family abroad so he and wife Joy with five children settled in Australia. Today, the brood has increased to eight. In the last 10 years, he reembraced his faith in a deeper way through the Couples of Christ community in Sydney as a unit head.
Fifth sibling Lorcyn continued to be the “ma’am” in the family. The 12-year gap between her and her husband didn’t deter her in her roles as wife, mother and mentor in the classroom even as these push her sometimes to adopt a “messianic” attitude, which drains her physically and emotionally. She’s based in southwest city of Toledo, Cebu.
Sixth sibling Lormyr wasn’t fazed when she got married and wasn’t able to finish college. In the last decade, she remains steadfast in raising her three children even as daily finances remain a burden. But she had gained emotional strength through the years. She lives with Lourna in Talisay City.
The career of our youngest brother Jojee has taken him to the major cities in the world. He was not spared cold and lonely nights, eating noodles on Christmas Day and battling physical pains away from the comforts of family. From the US to Bangkok to Canada to Singapore and God knows where his company will take him, Jojee has already embraced global life with guts and glory.
For me and my six siblings, this was how the last decade passed —raising families, pursuing professional growth, separated by circumstance, facing emotional upheavals, hurting from misunderstanding and fits of pride BUT . . . still connected in spirit and soul through one God who always pinches us with the reality that we are blood siblings.
This week, after 10 years, we got together finally—all seven of us and three other half-siblings Terence, Walter and Stanley. The was such joy, camaraderie, open hearts, and closeness we never felt before as a family. We grew up with broken hearts and what we thought were broken dreams.
But we took the opportunity to mature in faith and continue to love one another through the years. And we know God will bless us more because we have become a household faith.
Loretz and Iren with Iretz Isidore, Brad Nicol; Loreen and Conrad (deceased) with Renwick Conrad, Eliel Jan, Ione Camille; Lourna and Feandro with Francis Isaac Leon, Mary Pauline Angelie, John Dominic Feandro; Lorvic and Joy with Arvic Oliver, Lorelene Anne, Alecxie May, Joylene Victoria, Lorenz Christian, Joseph Sean, Caiden Luke, Caleb Elijah; Lorcyn and Tarcisio with Lorelle Marie, Renzo Tachynno, James Generie; Lormyr and Conrado with Jacqui Lynne, Jan Leonard, Justin Louis; Jojee; Terence Amethyst Gemma, Walter Cornelio and Cholen; Stanley Joshua and Hersa with Sean Francis Joshua, Mikaela Nicole.
Thank you, Dad Loreto and Mom Vicenta, for raising us. Thank you, God, for the life you’ve gifted us. We look back without regrets. We look forward with hope. Grant us that day when we will join your grand family in heaven.