Remembering Rizza

On My Shoulder: Carrying Rizza

I remember carrying Rizza during this occasion

But I do not remember why the two of us were in this location

I think I went to pick her up from her school 

And then we walked

Hmmm

Who was taking the picture

That I can't remember

Was it you Ate(big sister, well..older sister, if not big)

or maybe my best friend

Hmmmm

I did carry Rizza again during a procession

My wife remember that well

What I also remember was when I carried her when she was a baby

I was really young then

and I was so afraid that she might fall-off from my hold

And sure she did

Not as a baby but when she was older(bigger)

She slipped through our prayers

and gone ahead

and I was not there.

The 5 of us

The 5Rs

 A big part of my memory from my grandma's house is family.
Taking snacks during mirienda time
its about the food, somehow it tastes more delicious after a hard game of cops and robbers
its about the smiles
about being filled
and ready to play again

Its about the 5 of us.

The 5 of us

And as well there is the 6 of us. Our youngest was a bundle of joy. She was someone who kept us all together. I said was since she has gone ahead of us at a very young age. And yet her memories of how she would find time to communicate with us was simply super. This is true specially toward the end when we held online prayers for her health. We will say our prayers and chat for a while after.

The 6 of us

 Here is the 6 of us again, fond memories of a trip we spent with our mother in a nice place south of Luzon.

I am sure you and your family have a lot of happy moments to remember and cherish. I know I do and it is always a blessing to be able to smile when one gets to reflect on how those moments bind us together as a family



ram nolasco

Two Trips with Tulips

Tulips

 OK, that was me in May last year and me in May 1982. Two great summers, well at least it is summer in the Philippines but I guess beautiful Spring season in North America and Europe. One taken in Ottawa the other I am guessing now... in Amsterdam the Netherlands. Hmm, somewhere where tulips grow in the thousands.

The tulip is such a proud and beautiful flower. Tall and straight she blooms with great brilliant colors and elegant petals to show. Leaves that are outstretched as if in praise for the lovely day. They will not stay long but the memory last since thousands of passers-by came close and stop and appreciated the flower.

Oh so lovely memories to keep. I went with my family last year for a long drive to the capital of Canada. The tulips were in bloom but we were catching the tail end of the season for the flower before they wither away. I was with my younger sister in the summer of 84 taking the train and hopping around countries during the night ride sleeping through the steel corridors that links each city that welcomed us in the morning. We had this Eurail pass that allowed us to take unlimited ride on the train for a month.That European trip was courtesy of a dear aunt of ours. I would say she gave us wings in our lives that made us want to travel and see the different parts of the world. A great eye opener indeed.

Two trips that I will always remember always as long as my memory permits. It is beyond the flower, the memory of family and travel and the tulips in rows of hundreds and even thousands will remind me of these.


ram nolasco

Motorcyle

My son have always wanted to ride the motorcycle
This type of transportation was banned early on from use in our family
I remember that we had a convertible motorbike before
I am just not sure who bought it or why was it in our house in the first place

What I do remember is that it was sold immediately to somebody we know in our school
Safety was the primary reason
This was back then when our streets was quite empty

I am sure my brother who owned the bike was not that happy losing his motorbike
But that imprinted on me the idea that motorbikes is not for us to mess around with
And that is why my son is not riding a motorbike today

In my grandma's house there was this motorcycle
Parked on the driveway, we would hop on it and pretend we were having the ride of our life.
We have gone to many places in and around town in our wild imagination riding that motorcycle

My brother and sister on the motorcycle

Can you imagine what it would have been like owning one of this fast moving two wheeled ride

Nothing between you and the wind that blows

No obstruction from the sceneries that pass you by.

Years later, my sister bought a motorcycle

She used it for a time but as my father sold that motorbike from before
my sister had to do the same
She got into an accident with her motorcycle

I guess motorcycles and our family just don't go together

My father was right then

And I still keep that lesson to heart

Stay safe two wheeled motor bike riders

Stay free and safe

I have a ride of my own

ram nolasco