Memorial Celebration Visit to my FIL

My FIL was laid to rest  at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery last March 18th.  This was the first Memorial day celebration that he wasn't around anymore so we  took the kids to visit him and other loved ones.  

We  put a small flag  for him but forgot to bring the flowers  to replace  the old one.  We will bring it to him  this Father's Day.  Losing  my FIL was abig loss for the family because he was a big part of us especially for my kids.  He was the only grandparent  by blood that they know here so it was a blessing that he was  involved  with them growing up.  They have great memories with their Pap.

Our son  even   did his  dance move so his Pap can see it.  I bet my FIL was smiling.  My FIL  used to always  laugh when watcvhing EJ, he thought that EJ is definitely a wild character lol.

I am glad that my kids  have gotten to t know their grandpa before he died.  He was a big part of their lives since they were born.  My Mom is on the other part of the world so  the only time they would see or hear her is when I talk to her or  video chat with her which is very seldom as the place where she lives have a very weak cellphone reception.  Even when I talk to my Mom, they can't talk to her because she doesn't speak English.  Sometimes they would tell her things and I would  interpret it to my Mom in our language..

We still talk about Dad  a lot.  My husband was with me when I was picking a Father's  Day card for him and he  told me that he saw a perfect one to give to his Dad but then realized that he is no longer around.  Slowly, we are trying to deal with the pain of losing him through remembering  the great memories he left upon us.

A Glimpse of my Family Back Home

I am happy that my youngest sister went to Bicol and got to see my Mom. She took a lot of pictures and I was able to see my Mom even just in photos. I was also able to talk to them for over an hour on the phone. I would have loved to video chat with them but the cellphone signal in the hotel where my sister was staying was very poor. They even have to go out the hotel for me to be able to connect with them.  

I am glad that my Mom is getting used to wearing her eyeglasses.  She used to suffer with massive headaches and  she couldn't figure out  what's causing it and finally we told her to go to the eye doctor and it  fixed the issue.  I feel so bad that we didn't   do that early on.  That's what  frustrate me for being so far away, I can't do things to help my  Mom that I would normally do  right away if I am there.  Living here on the other side of the world is tough especially when it comes to my Mom because I know  that she is in her age now where she  needs us.   My youngest sister   works in Manila now so  it's  also  difficult for her to see my Mom often  because of her work. My Mom told me some stuff about my brother that made me  upset.  The way they treat  my Mom is  unacceptable.  She is no slave to anybody so she doesn't have to do anything for them.  If raising them was not enough then what is.   I know that my Mom is a very loving and understanding person but  some of my siblings just  abuse that kindness  and it makes me mad.  She is now 64 years old and should be  enjoying her  age without  having to think of raising another kid but one of my sisters just don't have the capacity to be a responsible parent.   Sometimes, I  questioned her decision to  continuously help my siblings but I guess that is how a mother should be.  She would help her kids no matter the circumstance is.   Anyway, all I can do is to support her, after all she  raised me to be a responsible individual.  I miss and love her very ,much.  I wish she would agree for me to bring her here.
I found this video that made me miss   the place   where I grew up  in the Philippines.  It makes me happy but   feeling homesick.