Dear zeggy,
I'm writing this letter to you at work for some reason because I have to tell you how you have changed my brother -- your dad -- and the rest of the family.
First, let me tell you about your father. Your dad was conceived at the time when my mom -- your nana had problems with her thyroid and consequently doctors discovered she had cancer. They (your nana and tata) were worried about the pregnancy and that Noh-noh might become a sickly child. Because of all the worries and the uncertainties they had with Noh-noh, your dad (for better or worse) became their numero uno concern. If he would get so much as a sniffle they would be beside themselves with worry. I remember watching him asleep on my parents' bed and he looked so peaceful. He was perfect. The way he would purse his lips or wrinkle his brow, even the way he yawned was adorable. We all fell in love with him. Because he was the youngest in the family and the youngest among all my cousins everyone doted on him. If my parents had lavished the same affections to any of my siblings besides your dad I would have been extremely jealous. But since it was him then it was all right. Like you, he was also lactose intolerant. At first they tried soya milk but he would have none of that. So they tried banana milk and he thrived on it. Yes, my dear, your father was raised on banana. That would probably explain why he can be so wacky at times. ;D
He grew up to be this boy who was assertive and confident. He even decreed that everyone called him Noh-Noh instead of Angelo. I call him Angie sometimes -- only to annoy him of course. ;D To say he was outspoken as a child would be an understatement because if he was angry or when he wanted something then he certainly made it known. Your father didn't mess around with words -- he's very direct. And boy do I have tales to tell -- remind me when you're older. He was very opinionated as a child. He'd talked to the grownups as equals not out of disrespect but that was just the way he was. He excelled in school -- another thing that made the parents proud. He fulfilled my dad's dearest wish -- to have one, if not all, of his children graduate from University of the Philippines.
I remember the first time I found out about you. I was alone in my hotel room miles away in a different country. At first I just sat there too shocked to even feel anything. After a few moments though I was bawling my eyes out not because I didn't want you but because in my opinion my brother was too young to become a father. I grieved for him because this would mean he had to be a man so early on in his life. He changed -- your dad did. He lost all his confidence, his assertiveness but he's still wacky and funny. I miss the old Noh-Noh I knew -- the carefree and sometimes serious brother with a somewhat sour demeanor but who made everyone laugh. I hope someday soon I can have the same brother I knew then for I would certainly love for you to meet him.
love and kisses,
auntie mitzi
I'm writing this letter to you at work for some reason because I have to tell you how you have changed my brother -- your dad -- and the rest of the family.
First, let me tell you about your father. Your dad was conceived at the time when my mom -- your nana had problems with her thyroid and consequently doctors discovered she had cancer. They (your nana and tata) were worried about the pregnancy and that Noh-noh might become a sickly child. Because of all the worries and the uncertainties they had with Noh-noh, your dad (for better or worse) became their numero uno concern. If he would get so much as a sniffle they would be beside themselves with worry. I remember watching him asleep on my parents' bed and he looked so peaceful. He was perfect. The way he would purse his lips or wrinkle his brow, even the way he yawned was adorable. We all fell in love with him. Because he was the youngest in the family and the youngest among all my cousins everyone doted on him. If my parents had lavished the same affections to any of my siblings besides your dad I would have been extremely jealous. But since it was him then it was all right. Like you, he was also lactose intolerant. At first they tried soya milk but he would have none of that. So they tried banana milk and he thrived on it. Yes, my dear, your father was raised on banana. That would probably explain why he can be so wacky at times. ;D
He grew up to be this boy who was assertive and confident. He even decreed that everyone called him Noh-Noh instead of Angelo. I call him Angie sometimes -- only to annoy him of course. ;D To say he was outspoken as a child would be an understatement because if he was angry or when he wanted something then he certainly made it known. Your father didn't mess around with words -- he's very direct. And boy do I have tales to tell -- remind me when you're older. He was very opinionated as a child. He'd talked to the grownups as equals not out of disrespect but that was just the way he was. He excelled in school -- another thing that made the parents proud. He fulfilled my dad's dearest wish -- to have one, if not all, of his children graduate from University of the Philippines.
I remember the first time I found out about you. I was alone in my hotel room miles away in a different country. At first I just sat there too shocked to even feel anything. After a few moments though I was bawling my eyes out not because I didn't want you but because in my opinion my brother was too young to become a father. I grieved for him because this would mean he had to be a man so early on in his life. He changed -- your dad did. He lost all his confidence, his assertiveness but he's still wacky and funny. I miss the old Noh-Noh I knew -- the carefree and sometimes serious brother with a somewhat sour demeanor but who made everyone laugh. I hope someday soon I can have the same brother I knew then for I would certainly love for you to meet him.
love and kisses,
auntie mitzi
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