To My Walking Safe Haven

I remember how we helped each other heal from the nightmares that life has thrown unto us.

To my walking safe Haven, this is how I remember your 28 years of existence since a simple Tanti Auguri may sound so cliché.

So there goes another candle to blow and another set of best wishes to come and I can write a simple greeting but then again your special day led me to reminisce this 28 years of having you around which makes my ink be boiling to carve words unto a blank sheet of paper.

Kill me if, by any chance I gave away too much info, you've got my blessing alrighty?

August 14, 1989 on this day my forever person was born, my ever dearest Twinie, my walking safe haven.

Back then all I care about was the chocolate cake and Mom-made spaghetti that will surely fill my stomach and satisfy my sweet tooth.

In almost 3 decades we sure shared lots of things and memories together.

Maybe I can't write it all but this is how I remember you in these 28 years.

I remember how I prayed so hard for you to got back home safe when you told everyone except me that you just went out to buy a shirt but instead you went out for a day swimming with your friends. I remember how being the elder sister means being your partner in crime, with or without my consent. God, I never prayed that hard not even when you were in the hospital fighting for your survival when this diphtheria shit attacks your fragile immune system, I mean I had no idea that virus was so serious since when I asked Inay and Kuya, they just told me that medical term when in that period I can't even google it. Seriously they should have told me it's a terrible throat disease that if not cured immediately you could have died in there. Oh well, ignorance is a bliss sometimes.

All that I can remember was, how I pleadingly asked God to get you back home really soon since it has been 4 months you've been away and it was so dull to play chinese garter without you.

I remember cheering for you whenever you play lawn tennis without ever complaining about the UV rays burning my skin, I remember watching you with awe when you go to other schools to compete for dama or when I see you nailing that Rubik's game in highschool.

I remember you being my favorite math teacher, because dealing with finding that X is too much to bear.😂

I remember how you cried with me when my first dog died, even when you are allergic with his fur. Your lungs really sucked when you were a kid.

I remember your tantrums and how I had to deal with my bed shaking since you can't stop kicking it, I think that was when I overcome my suffering from carsick. I've been so used to it I didn't even recognize the movements of my bed when a mild earthquake happened. Mind you, you weren't even mad at me. You were mad at someone else and I was the one who had to deal with it. But no complaints since I had my fair share of tantrums too. And since in all honestly, I wouldn't want to share a room with anybody other than you.

I remember how Inay continuously complained about my wardrobe since yours was insanely organized. How the heck can you fold your shirts like that?! I can't even raid your closet and borrow a shirt without you noticing it because even with a slight move, you will surely see the difference. Urgh!

I remember our first long flight, how anxious and excited we are, how you always told me you wouldn't know what to do when I wasn't there with you when in fact you were the one who gave me the courage to lead you. I mean, I think it was tougher when we arrived since nobody speaks English. So naive, our bad.

I remember that whenever I suffer from a broken heart or broken friendships or whenever shit happens I will always run to you. Having a "comfort person" who will be cooking my comfort foods and lots of snuggles is indeed a blessing. Thank you Lord!

I remember how we create our own version of some songs together just because we don't know exactly the lyrics of the song😂 Like duh! Despacito is supposed to be in a spanish language but we have our own version of it, ain't that awesome? ;)

I remember how I can simply share ideas, imagination, dreams, worries, doubts and fears, my quirks and insecurities no matter how logical or illogical they may seem because with you I have no filter, because with you I can be predictable or impulsive and I know you will always be rooting for me.

Because with you. I can simply be, Me.

I remember when we attend a gathering together and if I noticed something so funny I will by default looking for you and I will surely find you already looking at me too with a goofy look on your face just because you just get me. Surely it is always fun to have this bond between us, this weird and funny sister-kind-of bond.

I remember how I know you are the first person I can count on when I am planning for a little charity program because we believe that sharing is loving and no matter how small or big it may be, an act of kindness is an act of loving.

I remember how responsible you are, I remember how you got this nurturing nature from Mom, how we can always lean on you. I am the eldest but I am childish so I tend to be more selfish and you were always there to back-up and fill-in for my shortcomings.

I remember our AHA moments, I remember how we helped each other heal from the nightmares that life has thrown unto us.

I remember our small fights, our survival of the fittest kind of fights when adolescents made us so temperamental creatures, our "Sandok fights" when we were kids, our little misunderstandings, how I know that even if you are furious and pissed you will always choose to love me.

I remember how I always find it so funny that in the night time you will be turning into some disney-kind-of-princess, but as I love and respect your privacy I won't elaborate it further here. Say, her name starts like the first letter of your name and she got a tail.

Surely there are heaps of other things and moments I can write here but now I will be remembering this.

Seeing you beside your cake, trying to bear our off-tone birthday song where I don't care much about my stomach to be filled or my sweet tooth to be satisfied, I am now thinking about this celebration as a reminder of the impact of your existence that made a colossal difference into our lives.

I am so grateful that I am occupying space here on earth at the same time as you.

I love you Twinie.

P.S Happy Birthday💕