IT IS that time again –
the last, at last! – to
give
a daughter’s hand in
marriage.
Self-made a tradition it
has become
for this, the father of
the bride,
to say his piece in poetic
verse,
though unrhythmic,
unmetered
is most often the
case.
Hence, as it was in 2004
with Majalia Krista,
so, it was in 2009 with
Maria Iona Katrina.
So, shall it be today,
finally, with Mia Maneekah.
Poignant – as in
bittersweet –
memories of the kids we
keep
that almost always come
unleashed
only on the day of wedding
bliss.
Remembering now, like it
was but yesterday –
taking Mia by pedicab to
kindergarten
memorizing – “The first
part of our program
is a vocal solo by Ana
Criselda G. Cortez.”
Her repetitive rote, from
home to school, unbroken.
In early grade school she
wanted to change her name –
to Henessy or Gwendolyn,
taken from some telenovela
of early fame.
So, what was wrong with
her given names?
Nothing with the Maneekah,
she said.
But, the Mia stunk and
smelled –
“Mia-tutan,”
one naughty boy started to tease her.
Oh, how we laughed hearing
this.
Ah, how she threw temper
tantrums for it.
At the risk of being
accused that Mia is my favorite –
which her siblings have
openly suspected all these years –
dare I still say she has
the sunniest disposition of all my kids.
Quick to dance at the drop
of a beat; quicker to sing at whim.
In her girlhood, her
song-and-dance routine –
“Open the door, get on the
floor, everybody, walk like dinosaur…”
So much was the laughter
the young Mia brought us.
Less – thank the Lord –
were the pains, and fears.
As when at 5 she had
trouble with her kidney
needing hospitalization at
pricey UST.
Happening during the
family’s most hungry years,
but by the grace of God,
did we surpass this.
Speaking of fears, let me
now disclose
that which, for the
longest time, in my mind is poised:
Of Mia living her life in
singlehood,
as a number of old maids
in both sides of the
family did for good.
So, I thank you so much
Raphael –
now that my foremost fear
is allayed.
Comes then this father’s
fervent wish
For his dear daughter’s
wedded bliss --
Mia, Raphael:
I pray – the Lord to bless
and keep you in His care
For you to treasure every
moment you share
For love to triumph over any
heartbreak that come your way
For you to ever be happy
as you are today.
But then, as marriage is
not all moonlight and roses,
Having its full measure of
dimness, of thorns and thistles.
So, you must in those
unhappy times
Come back to this, your
day of days
Refresh, revive, renew
yourselves
And then –
Let go. Live love. Love
life. Let God.
And your lifelong
commitment to each other
Will be even stronger than
ever.
The life we shared with
you, remember too
And all the love your mom
and I have for the two of you.
so beutiful...
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