Tomorrow would be New Year's Eve already then comes 2024. Everyone so it seems look forward to the new year with renewed vigor, hope and positivity.Amen to that.
As I wish for a better and brighter year ahead, let me give a round of applause to these 10 wonderful creatures who made my 2023 a great and memorable one.
1. Melvin. He is my second oldest brother. His heart knows no resentment, anger and selfishness. He harbors no ill feelings for anyone and has generosity to a fault. He follows my commands without questions and doubts. He got sick from depression when he lost his job as he was an extremely dedicated employee. When I learned he was admitted in the ICU, I screamed and sobbed at work. He did not tell us about his condition, I only found out when I called the hospital. We drove up North to be with him right away. I realized from this crisis how me and my siblings really depend on one another. We only have each other in the worst and most trying times. It did not matter that we drove every weekend to check on him and be with him. Today, he is recuperating. He has not tasted a drop of alcohol for more than three months now. Once he mentioned to someone, he will do his best to be healthy and strong because he owes it to us, his siblings and he does not want to cause us too much worry anymore. He is with us now her in SoCal. So far, so good.
2. Ate Ping. She holds a lot of descriptions for me. A roommate, hair and make-up stylist, clothing sponsor. A job finder, resume writer, a fierce defender. Her most important hat in my life is she is one of the very few with whom I can wear my heart on my sleeves without the fear of judgment and who can see the inner depths of my eyes beyond my loud laughs. She is my human journal as she knows who makes me happy and what my heart wants.
3. Martha.We call her BOSS as she holds one of the highest administrative positions in a big healthcare institution. She is Ate Ping's friend but I don't know if that is enough of a reason for her to have so much trust in me. She paved a way for me to be chosen and hired in one specialty unit. She is way too involved with my plight, once she mentioned to Ate Ping I must not quit as she "too deep" in fighting for me already.:) Few times, I cried tears of gratitude already because of all that she does I often wonder I might have done something extraordinarily good to deserve her support and faith in me.
4. Taylor Swift. My "baby sister". That's how I describe her lately to people.:) I spent real fortune as in, to see her perform live in Las Vegas for The Eras Tour. It was a one night truly enchanting, to be with her in one exact same location where we breathed the same air. TS speaks the words that echo the contents of heart and mind, like she is a virtual bestie. A day never goes without her songs in my iTunes as I drive the freeway, declutter my closet and walk on the treadmill.
5.Tango Alpha Golf. How fate can sometimes bring back people in your life that you somehow lost for two decades will leave you in daze and amazement. One day you find out you can discuss and share with someone everything and anything under the sun and sky with complete trust knowing here is a guy who holds with gentleness the fragments of your life that are delicate. There is peace with both of us despite the loud world outside, as we both say to each other, we are happy we have each other back in a way probably only the two of us truly get and understand.
6. Rhoda and Gretchen. It is difficult to talk about one without mentioning the other. Living eight years in US, I have my cousins as my steady group. Aside from them, I can say that I only have two real friends, and they are G and Dhang. They embraced me with their care and loyalty in those times I despised myself more than the devil. They loved me when I can't even stand to stare myself in the mirror. We laughed and cried together. I see their daughters growing, we keep each other posted on personal, family and career affairs. I am more than good in just having two great true friends than to a have a thousand and one acquaintances.
7. Claire. How she remains to take charge of all my "everything Philippines" matters means so much to me. From the Sta. Ana house budget, PELCO and NAWASA, to the holiday lanterns and my Beautederm products to "Inna Sotta" little black dress and Filipiniana tops of different hues. Our regular Messenger calls last for hours as we chat about everyone and everything. Most times we laugh, a few times one of us will be on verge of tears. We have this unspoken rule that we should not cry together at the same time. I have no Mamang anymore in PH yet I still go back there every now and then and Claire and her kids, both my godchildren play an important reason, for us to spend time together and see each other in person.
8. My past LOVE. After two years, I am breathing again in a regular way. I am not in the darkest tunnel anymore where there seemed to be no way out. I see the sun shine and the stars in the sky once more. I can stare back at people especially my family with no intense guilt, shame and anger. A relationship that ended does not mean the love failed, I want to look at it as something that was at its best while it lasted . He remains to be my most beautiful nightmare, he will always be that someone who will occupy a huge chunk of my heart and soul.
9. Miller. The brother closest to me. We do not run out of stories to tell, from Nike sneakers to Kobe and Lakers. From fashion brands to Taylor Swift and Austin Reaves. From his clinic and patients to mine, about our workmates. We braved together the time our Koya was in the ICU, and wept together. Once in the lift, we just stared at each other and sighed, how funny as us, the youngest in the brood of four, seem to be the older ones as we discuss the gravity, possibilities and plans for the future of our two Koyas. This year brought us back to our old relationship as siblings and friends. Albeit on my part, I continue to be cautious in a guarded way and I know he can sense that and respects it. The trauma of the past is not healed yet and I don't even know if it will ever be. I am glad with where we are right now, we didn't permanently lose each other.
10. Mamang. My mother. She continues to be the wind beneath my wings, my greatest inspiration to chase my dreams and conquer the changes and challenges. I am at my happiest, I want to call her. I am soaked with sobs and I wish to be held by her softest hands and strong heart. When God brought her to heaven in 2017, I pitied myself as I lost my greatest and truest kakampi in this not-so-kind universe. In losing her, I lost a big piece of me too. I was never the same, I needed to become self-reliant and tenacious fast. As what I say to people, if they see a tinge of goodness and generosity in me, the credit goes to Mum. If I am a badass or a cranky bitch, then point the finger on me. I try my best to be a good person so I can still have a pass to heaven to be reunited with her. My forever most beautiful and favorite person in the world. I love and miss her sooo much.
There goes my 2023 People of the Year. These 10 wonderful human beings made this year an enchanting, blessed and wonderful one for me. Thank you to all of them.
Who are your People of the Year for 2023?:)
2023. Best People. Amazing People.
