Weekend in Bacolod

I count myself fortunate for having had enough time to spend a weekend with my mom's side of the family in Bacolod. Honestly, they're more than extended family to me - they're practically family since Mommy's eldest sister Mama was the one who raised me for the first three years of my life.  She also cared for my brother for about a year, until Mommy took us both to Davao.   Mama's own children, my cousins, would always introduce me to their friends as their youngest sister and have always treated me as such.  No wonder I grew up a little pampered and self-entitled because of their never-ending love and affection.  No wonder I always feel like a child again whenever I visit Bacolod and stay at their Victorina Heights home.

Compared to the month-long vacations I'd had in my childhood, this one was very short - only two days - and I had to rush from the office last Friday to catch the last flight from Manila to Bacolod.  Just this morning, I also took a cab from the airport straight to the office, where I have tons of work waiting for me.  This is not to say, however, that I regret those hours spent in commuting.  On the contrary, I consider them mere inconveniences that are part of the little sacrifices we have to make to spend time with the people who mean most to us.  

I had a great time bonding with my cousins and my aunts, who played a very important role in raising me and taking care of me when I was a baby.  In more ways than one, I'm still their baby even if I'm about to enter my fourth decade later this year.  There's the endless hugs and kisses that they would always shower on me whenever I'm there, the laughter, the endless talks, fussing over my stressful job and suggesting I quit it (hehe), attending church together, and eating delicious food - all these I enjoy and cherish whenever I'm with these people.  Of course, these people - Mama especially - never hesitate to give me sound advice on everything (from my presently nonexistent love life to my spiritual life).  All these I take to heart and heed because these people only want the best for me.  

I wish I were a child again, so I could spend several weeks in the company of the people who made a very big impact in my life.  I wish I had no commitments at work and at school so I could stay longer with them and really bond with them.  Perhaps, from now on, I'll make it a point to sacrifice a few precious work hours to be with my loved ones.  Family, after all, comes first.