"My dear Dodoy"

While rummaging through the old stuff, my father called my attention to a letter my mother wrote him before Manong Ralph was even born. This was around the time Tatay was still working in Saudi Arabia, and Nanay was pregnant with her first son.

Using a blue pen and her prescription pad, my mother wrote a letter packed with anxiety, care, and longing. Months after they were married, my father went to a foreign desert land, hoping to earn money for a new family he was building.

Here's a snippet of that letter.

April 28, 1985

My dear Dodoy,

You really got me very worried! Imagine, I was expecting for you since March, and yet not even your letter came.

Now that you are safe and sound, I am relieved! 

I was counting on you to be around when the time came, but then since you could not make it, I guess I'll have to manage on my own. . . Only I would feel better if you were around.

Dondi [my cousin, arguably my father's favorite] got the gold medal for the year and he made everybody proud.

I have decided na dito na sa Marbel [Koronadal] manganak, so Daday (my obstetrician) could attend to me. Anyway, sandali lang naman iyan. I can always go home the next day after delivery. I don't want to linger in a hospital . . . I can't stand the atmosphere!

Well . . . time is really fleeting. Come May 30th, we will have our 1st wedding anniversary. I wish you good health and happiness!

Love, 

Shee

Today they celebrate their 26th anniversary. How can I not praise the Lord for giving me parents who love the Lord and each other, even after all these years?