The Way We Were...

The Uytiepo Family at Mambukal 

A cousin of mine posted some old pictures from the 70s. (Thanks Manang Dolly) While browsing through them I felt tears welling up in my eyes. We used to be one big happy family. Our parents used to hold lunch parties every Sunday at my grandma’s house to catch up on some things. During Summer, I remember my parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents and my cousins go up to a mountain resort for the Holy Week. We came in a big truck with our clothes, food, tents and garden sets. We occupied one cottage where we would crowd into one small room to sleep.  My Dad had 9 more siblings all of them married with Kids. You can just imagine how crowded we were. J

Eventually, everyone went to the states bringing their families with them, until only two were left. Those who never left still held parties but not that often, only on special occasions. Christmas was no longer the same, even just going to the beach didn’t seem as enjoyable as when everyone was still around.

The kids grew up. They had jobs and families of their own, some moved to a different zip code and never really had the time to see or catch up with each other. It’s funny how things change and how rapid the change comes. Lately, with the advent of social networking sites, communication lines started to open up and we get to talk to our family members we haven’t communicated to for a long time.

Savor every moment you spend with your family. They’re the only one you’ve got.