Filipinos
trouped to memorial parks to celebrate
the feast dedicated to our departed loved ones. The nationwide celebration
started as early as the 30th of October and will end until around the
1st week of November. Although multitudes visit on the 1st
of November, others like me prefer to visit early to avoid traffic jam. The traffic jam I am referring to is not on
the roads but inside the memorial park.
I left home at around seven in the morning, the 31st
of October. I ate heavy breakfast as I planned to stay for several hours. The
plot where my parents were laid to rest is just beside the pathway. It makes it
easier to locate if anyone of our relatives would like to visit. I was
surprised to meet the family of the lady buried to the right of my parents. The
family erected a tent good for about ten people complete with small chairs and
small table. I met the husband and one of the daughters of the lady, years ago.
They recognized me, and apologized for
the space their tent had occupied.
The family members started partaking their lunch. The old
gentleman offered me a plate of rice, with my favorite Filipino dish abodo and
a piece of fried stuffed bangus fish. I felt full, but I do not want to
frustrate the old guy who offered me the sumptuous lunch. I told them I got
lucky that day for the shade of the tent and the sumptuous lunch. They left at
almost noon time. It was when they left I
realized the scorching heat of the sun without the tent.
All went well during
my visit. The weather cooperated, it was a sunny day. I left the memorial park
at almost two in the afternoon. I left
behind two candles and basket of flowers I brought for my parents. I mentioned the items to the care taker, so
the children should leave them alone. I went
to the grocery for some household stuff before heading home. I was granted one
day birthday leave, the 30th. The 31st of October and the
1st of November were my day off. I was home at around five in the
afternoon. After a cold bath, I slept soundly for seven hours.
