Gift of Time

Abridged:

Today I gave my loved ones the gift of time. I have always had no time for the people I hold dear. Missing special occasions, Dad’s chemo/radiotherapy, weddings, family gatherings was routine. I was always on duty, or preparing for an exam, or having my bedrest because of spotting, etc, etc. Now, I don’t have a decent income and therefore have very little treasure to share. But I had the gift of time! I am exhausted, sleep-deprived, and feeling great!

Full length:

Today I gave my loved ones the gift of time. I feel exhausted, sleep-deprived, and very fulfilled and happy!

After a sumptuous dinner of salad, pizza, and pasta last night, I was looking forward to collapsing on bed It had been a long day. Saturday was fun but exhausting, too. (We were finally able to have our first family studio photo taken. An entirely different post needed). That’s when Mom invited me and hubby to hang around my sister’s apartment for some coffee, snacks, and DVD. I told her I had to get up early the next morning ‘cause I promised my best friend that I’ll be by her side in time for my inaanak’s pamidronate infusion. It was painfully scheduled at 7am. Mom said I was used to going on duty anyway; staying up late shouldn’t be a problem. I knew she wanted to be with us so I winked at hubby and we stayed at my sister’s for some wine (at least for the males), popcorn, green mangoes, cashew nuts, and plenty of talking and catching up on each other’s lives. We came home at 12:30 am. I read some, tried to pray the rosary for my inaanak’s treatment (got to finish only part of the 3rd mystery) and finally fell asleep at 2:30am.

This morning, my eyes hurt as I dragged myself out of bed when my phone alarm went off at 6am. It was a mad scramble from the bed, to the shower, to the taxi… picked up breakfast from McDonald’s, and got in the hospital at 6:45. Quite a feat.

I stayed ‘til past lunchtime. Hours before that, Mom and I have been texting each other about our plans for the day. She said she was planning to go to the mall with sister but decided to let her rest her very pregnant tummy and feet. I asked her if she needed company because she mentioned something about needing to buy a dress for an upcoming event. I offered to come with her and I could actually sense the excitement in her text when she said ‘really?’. So I left the hospital at past 1pm, picked up my mom (after eating a late lunch at sis’), then off we went to the mall. We probably walked several kilometers while we chatted away and shopped for baby things, and kitchen things, and lingerie, ‘til we were oh so starved and had to stop to get some burgers.

After the pitstop, off we went again to search for that oh so elusive dress. I felt my tummy grumbling and felt sorry for having eaten too much tamarind and papaya the previous day/s. While Mom shopped, I took several trips to the bathroom, kept quiet, and tried not to faint. (I distracted myself with the family pics I have in my bag). Finally, bro-in-law came and helped mom pick out a laptop. Then hubby came and drove us to sis’. I called the kids when I realized that I never saw them today! We then had supper, and reached home by 9:30. As I sat in the car on the way home, I told hubby I felt tired. He said I looked tired.

I never felt this kind of fulfillment in a long time! I have always had no time for the people I love. Missing special occasions, Dad’s chemo/radiotherapy, weddings, family gatherings was routine. I was always on duty, or preparing for an exam, or having my bedrest because of spotting, etc, etc. Now, I don’t have a decent income and therefore have very little treasure to share. But I had the gift of time! And it felt great. ☺