During our road trip, we stopped a few times along the way, one was near a coffee shack set up for travelers who wanted to take a break from their long drives, enjoy some hot or cold beverages, or simply stretch their legs.
My niece and I wandered under the tall trees beyond the roadside while we chatted about stuff. I was glad she was opening up more about herself, her dreams, fears, and such.
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Then my sister joined us and more conversations ensued. She was passionate about sharing some of her experiences that may guide our young lady through life. Our niece seems to have grown up a little too fast she will be turning 13 this year. She was only 6 or 7 when their parents separated and with her younger sister (who was three then), they had been with their father (my brother) since. While their Dad was always present (he quit working so he could focus more on them), they still need some motherly love or presence, one we are striving to provide.
Anyway, we were on our girls' talk when the hubby who was having coffee with my brother-in-law must have been so curious about what we were up to that he came with his cup.
Unknowingly, he interrupted something important. It was probably needed before things got a lot more serious.
Then it was time to go, but first, a little keepsake of those precious moments amongst 3 ladies😅
An hour later, we had another quick break to watch the setting sun and check the huge jar and basket in the town of Kabayan.
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I think the jar serves a double purpose - as an attraction for passersby and as a water tank for the residents of the house next to it. Pretty creative noh?
The basket contained a cauliflower. It made us wonder why they chose it when it wasn't their main produce, but maybe there's a story behind it that we didn't know about.
This was a view of the sunset, by the way.
From there, we drove the winding road leading home, holding in our hearts the warmth of each other's love and the memories created and added to our memory banks. Perhaps one day, when my niece has grown older and happens to pass by those spots, she will remember that once upon a time, we were there with her.
All pictures are mine. 30012025/07:53ph