Face of Nostalgia

A sepia-toned lighting photo I took evokes nostalgia. @ Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City  

Ah Francisca, I remember the last time I looked upon your face. The face that lightens up, the face of nostalgia that’s making me feel at home, a home that is now a memory.

One brief memory of her happened when I was already working abroad. She was on vacation in my parent's house located in Bulacan. I can still remember how she was teary eyed, almost crying when I video-called them. Imagine a lady with such a modest demeanor who showed such an emotion, it pushed all the heartstrings buttons, but of course, we ended up happily teasing her. She chuckled over it while insisting to just fly back home already. Perhaps as a person who’s not used to technology as means of communication and not able to physically touch a loved one is a process that probably she still couldn’t get off of her own head. But in the end, I assured her that I will be OK and I shall see them very soon - that epic 2022 vacation!

“Inay” (that means mother) as we fondly call her, has passed away. At the end of her life, Inay maintained that absolute resolve demeanor image she’s well known. Sometimes through a good background soundtrack, I get to relive her presence once again: a mental video of happier times (of my enthusiastic divergent younger years!) when all things seemed right in the eyes of a child.

We are letting you go. As you fly away, my love, thank you for the pearls of wisdom. We know for sure, The Lord will hand you over an endless garden either-or a farmyard you’d adore to the nines, thus, shall we see you in the corners of our mind.