Letter #5: It's Been So Long

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."

-Proverbs 3:5-

Dear Sherwin,

It's really been so long since I've written you a letter. Approximately six months? I'm not really sure. I'm sorry for not being able to commit to it that much. Lately, my mind's been drifting and my thoughts are scattering all over the place. Keeps me sane, just like you. 

You've stopped going to the Temple. Why? You already know what the teacher is teaching so technically, you got bored which made you sit in class without listening. That's my brother. It's already August and you've been four years old for a few days. I'm glad we passed your being terror three.

I'm proud to declare that you're cute as ever. Do you know that you even have a video of singing "Happy Birthday" to me? It was the climax of my day. I felt like I was the luckiest sister in the whole wide universe. 

Currently, you're seated at the living room with Mom, doing your home-study pemanship. I'm looking at you and you look so adorable. Hopefully, I can still retain that thought by the time you're ten years old. 

What do you think about, Shots? I do wonder what goes in that head of yours. I can only remember flashbacks of my childhood, but never what I was accurately thinking. Maybe it's for the best I don't remember so I can stay as positive as I should for you. One day, we'll play one of the most random games I've ever heard of since I made it myself. I look forward to that day. 

Dad's been trying to get you to say "Coca Cola" for reasons I cannot fathom. I mean, I never did get Dad's thinking. I can only sense but never read. 

Congratulations! You got a check and star for you writing. You're awesome! You go, Little Bro. 

Just remember, Shots, you're where my heart is. 

Everything I've done, you've mostly been in my mind. 

More than my life,

Dichi

Letter #4: You're in a Good Mood

"The Lord is my Sheperd, I shall not want."

-Psalm 23:1-

Dear Sherwin,

I haven't been able to update that much but I can assure you my memories about you are not going to go anytime too soon. We have only one life to live and you, so far, are living it to the fullest. There's nothing wrong with that. I have no objections or qualms about it because I like seeing you radiate happiness. 

So far, your three years of existence, nothing is happening. Hopefully, nothing will happen. One day, Shoti, I'll tell you my story about what happened to me at three. For now, this is your story. This is yours. 

I commuted with my friend (whose name I am not allowed to mention in order to protect this person's privacy) and arrived at Trinoma to see you with Mom. You were wailing about wanting to go at the very first floor of the mall just so you can ride the mini-automobiles in the form of colorful animals. Mom was adamant that you don't ride today, but next time. Your attention span, short which is usual for a child, saved her from a headache and your tantrum as you got distracted by one of the trinkets Mom or Dad bought you which is bubbles. 

On the way home, during our car ride, you were singing the cutest version of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". It drove me in a very happy mood to hear you sing. Obviously, you were quite in a good mood. 

You just got terrified of a cockroach you saw and immediately stood on the chair whimpering. How cut can you get??? You made your point clear about not wanting your feet to touch the floor when you tightened your hold on my neck as I tried to set you on the ground. My, I feel as if my sentence before this was quite redundant... You be the one to judge. Hopefully, you got my awesome (it's all in the perspective) Grammar skills. 

Do you also know you ate a donut which Dad bought as a pasalubong from Dunkin' Donuts? You enjoyed it immensely. We are definitely of blood. That I concluded when I watched you happily chomp on the sugary sweet bagel. 

Anyway, you're upstairs right now, peacefully watching your cartoons at the Disney Junior Channel.

Sweet dreams, little Bro. I'll always be here to keep the nightmares away. 

More than my life,

Dichi

Letter #3: Your Mishaps

"Judge not that you not be judged."

-Matthew 7:1-

Dear Sherwin, 

I woke up today with Mommy angry about you completely resetting her IPad. It turns out, you deleted everything in it. No more games, pictures, and all the other great stuff that was there. I don't blame you because you're still a child who's not fully aware of your actions. 

Also, we went to Trinoma today and you looked so adorable in your almost batman costume which consisted of a shirt and shorts. Mommy fussed about you and you have a lot of pictures in the camera. There was one which made you look a bit like Mickey Mouse. The point is, you were so cute. Seriously, it would seem like you're the whole package for a little brother. 

Do you know that you talk as much as an average woman does? Maybe even more. I swear, you could've uttered more than thirty words per minutes. Honestly, it would seem like it drove Mom to a minor headache. She's quite in a delicate-like condition nowadays. The term I'm looking for is moody. But she might have her reasons. I blame it on the diet she's in. Lack of food easily blackens the mood. I would know. She's forced me on one before.

During the duration we spent on the mall, you ate hotdog and bread from Breadtalk and played in Time Zone. I didn't see most of the games you played but I did see your last game. It was a mini basketball game where you have too shoot as much baskets as you can. According to Dad, you maxed out your game card in that particular game which resulted to the game itself going bonkers and giving you an unlimited time in basket shooting. It was great seeing you have so much fun throwing those basketballs. But you nearly gave me a heart attack when you threw a ball and it nearly bounced to hit you. Luckily, it just passed you. So I had to be beside you during your game. When we had to go, you held one of your famous tantrums which made Mom mad at you on the way to the care.

If you could just see yourself, you knew for sure that you deserve an Oscar's Award. I, for one, would've given you three (since you're three years old).

Arriving home, you wore Ahia's new basketball shoes which matched the color of your clothes. Achi and I took a pic of you, for memories's sake. Then you were bargained with yogurt so that you would allow your picture to be taken properly. I applaud at your manipulations. 

Also, you annoyed Mom so much that's why you were permitted to eat cereal at night. You enjoyed it a lot especially when you had hot chocolate with us (me, Ahia, & Achi) after the cereal. It was a good day. A really good day.

In total, you held more than three tantrums today. I only mentioned the one which was the most loudest. One day I'll tell you about it.

Right now, you're sleeping and dreaming. So while I'm at it, advance good morning, Shots. 

More than my life,

Dichi

Letter #2: Our Adventures, I Guess

"Nothing is impossible with God alone."

-Matthew 19:26-

Dear Sherwin,

It would seem that your letter today would be published later than I imagined since after seven minutes, it will already be the next day. Sorry for being late but at least I was able to publish you a letter.

Earlier morning, we went to Trinoma, our usual mall. You insisted that we go to the toy section so you could just watch toys. But we both know that as soon as you laid eyes on those colorful things, you'd be crying for Mom and Dad to buy you one. I'm always amazed at how clever you could be. 

Well, in reality, I would already call it manipulating. Don't worry. I don't disapprove of it nor do I approve of it. As long as you know the result of the game you're playing. To be honest, I do that if it's needed for my survival. Don't criticize me, Sherwin. I'll explain the further detail for that reason one day. 

I don't know whatever happened to your toy watching episode a while ago since I had to go to my class at the afternoon. I just hoped you were a good boy when Mom told you that both of you had to go. I also went there after my class which only lasted for about an hour and a half (such a waste of time and uniform). It was a birthday invitation of my friend whose name I will not further mention unless I've received her permission. Privacy is very important and as you grow up, I hope you regard that as well. 

To share my adventure, the four of us took a jeep which costs about fifteen pesos on the way to Trinoma from University of Santo Tomas (UST), my school. We went there and settled at Red Box, a karoke place and sang like crazy. It was fun. You should try doing that some time soon. And make sure it's with good and fun friends.

I was planning to buy you donuts but Dad called my phone and said I had to go so I wasn't able to pass by the donuts. But I got home and earned a hug from you which made my whole day even though it was already night by that time. 

While typing this letter, I've also been arranging the books by Arthur Conan Doyle on my phone. He wrote classics and one or most of his works are about Sherlock Holmes, an amazing detective who's really good at deductions. I'll have to make sure you read about Sherlock Holmes. It's a MUST. No brother of mine is going to grow up without familiarizing himself with the great Sherlock Holmes!

If you're curious to what you're doing right now, you're upstairs with Mom and Dad, in their bed since that's where you sleep, and I don't really know whether you're still awake or already asleep. I just wish for your best dreams and comfortable rest. Also, try not to take the whole bed space. Feel a bit sorry for Mom who's nearing the side end of her bed. 

I'll write to you again soon. Hopefully, it won't come out as late as this one. 

More than my life,

Dichi

Letter #1: Just for You

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

-Philippians 4:13-

Dear Sherwin, 

("Of all the faces you could've made, I wonder what you thought of when you did this one?")

I've been thinking about doing this before in so many ways. I thought the good old fashioned pen and paper would suffice, but I realize it's not enough for me and you deserve a lot more. It seems weird that I have high standards when it comes to you but that's weird me. 

So this is the second week of our new year and there isn't much happening today in your life except that it's your first day back to school! Sadly, I have my own classes to go to so I'm not there to see what happens in your school every time. Somehow, I know you're doing great. You of all people. 

Dad and Mom decided you won't be attending tomorrow's class (such a dedicated student, that you are) since there's time conflict with our schedules (actually, only my schedule which I apologize for). I don't think you'll really mind since you're just three and I'm sure you won't remember most of the memories you made at this age and before. 

Hopefully, if you're lucky like me, then you would have some flashbacks, dreams which are really old memories of what happened at the very start of your childhood. Just a tip, some things are better left hidden than found. 

This blog is just for you (blatantly obvious since the title is already addressed to you) and I promise to try typing letters everyday to update it. So until you reach the proper age in which you are able to read and understand this blog, I won't be revealing a word about this blog. 

My lips are sealed. 

You're really growing up fast or is it time's cruel play that her hands move faster than what is intended? You're nearly half my height and stronger than the usual. I love the way you smile, forced, attempted, and real. One day, you're going to be so good-looking that I'll have to start practicing on my bending to pick up all the broken-hearts you'll cause. I don't mind though. It'll be fun watching you knowing what you really want in life and I'm not the one to decide. 

It's nearing midnight now and I have to say goodbye or Mom will be biting my head off as usual. Let's thank God that you aren't in full consciousness or awareness to experience her bad moods. That's the last thing a cute child like you needs. Don't you agree?

More than my life,

Dichi