Hello Hiver’s! It’s me again your @janineylicious from Cebu.Today, I am going to share to you here how my Sunday went. Last Sunday, I am savoring each moment with my loved ones through a dinner in a restaurant just within our town. The name of the restaurant is Chef Gourmet, it is like 10-15mins away from our house.
It’s been a while since the last time we had a dinner outside together with the whole family because honestly we have a hard time transporting my grandmother due to her health condition since she cannot walk as she is now paralyzed. However… I think it would be wonderful to plan a special gathering like this where we can all gather together, share experiences, and enjoy a meal while ensuring that Grandma is comfortable and included in the gathering. With a little creativity, we can make it a memorable evening for everyone.
The other reason why we decided to have this special occasion is because my uncle went home from Saudi Arabia; by the way, that is where he works since the year 2000. So, he basically took a vacation every two years here in the Philippines. This is a kind of surprise because we didn’t tell our grandma that his eldest son will come home, so we are so excited for her reaction. Well, as expected, I am sure she's going to cry because my grandma is like a crybaby. It is always a heartfelt moment to see my grandma getting emotional when it comes to her family. Eversince in my elementary days, I can witness how she cared for all of us.
So, we arrived at the restaurant around 5pm in the afternoon because we made an online reservation at that certain time. And while waiting, my auntie already made an order, and we spent a few minutes having random conversations just to buy some time until my uncle arrived. So yeah! 5:15 pm my uncle finally arrived and everyone is so happy to see him because his daughter and two sons is also with us. And the best moment we waited for was my grandma’s reaction; she was shocked and surprised to see his eldest son. All of us got tears in our eyes 🥺 seeing them hugging and you can really see how they missed each other ❤️. You can really tell how much they love each other. As we gathered around, I could say, I am so lucky that I belong to this family because despite imperfections, we are here loving each other.
And after that, our orders were already served, so we enjoyed each other’s meal. We ordered a seafood which is a shrimp flavored with butter and garlic, sweet and sour pork which my favorite, chop suey for a little veggies, and other items on the menu, which I forgot to take a picture of. The tastes were a perfect combination, and we couldn't help but share our thoughts on each dish. I was so happy seeing them laughing as we reminisced about our previous dining adventures which making this meal even more enjoyable. As we savored the last bites… the conversation become more exciting, telling in stories and jokes that made us appreciate the moment even more. It was one of those evenings where time seemed to stand still, and we knew we would cherish the memories long after the plates were cleared.
Our family wasn’t really a well-off- we belong to middle class family, and we even argue most of the time, but we always make sure to compromise at the end of the day because we naturally care for each other despite our shortcomings. We are really not the type of family who are close to each other or sharing each other’s problems because honestly, we are not comfortable with each other; maybe because that is how we grew up. But aside from those simple things, we always care and love each other even in times of trouble. Even in those unwanted times, we always make sure to find ways to support one another…whether it’s through a simple text or an understanding. Well, that is how we are 😉
I am really hoping that we could build a great relationship with my siblings and cousins because I wanted to continue the love to pass on through generations. And I wanted to maintain the respect and understanding that we shared. By building our foundation, I believe we can create a strong family bond that will support us through every life's challenges. Together, we can share meaning. There are a lot of various aspects in life that we need to apply like respect, values, love and understanding that is why it takes a lot of efforts to build such empire.
I would also like to hear from you guys… how do you feel like your family has shaped your personality? Because for me personally, I think it contributes a great percentage to what I am today. Today, I recognize that the principles and lessons built by my family have played an important role in my development as I grow. Their support and guidance have helped me navigate challenges and embrace opportunities, ultimately influencing my character and outlook on life. This greatly influence not only my beliefs but has also inspired me to build foundation of resilience and empathy in my interactions with others. I even mostly reflect based on my life experiences.
So yeah, I am hoping we could still spend more memories like this soon with my whole family, with my parents, siblings, aunties and uncles and with my grandparents. I am wishing and praying to God that He could gift a more years of life to my elders so we could collect a lot of memories together. All in all, my heart is full seeing these pictures that will lasts forever.