TORONTO - It's never easy to celebrate an annual cousins' Christmas gathering just a month after the passing of a cousin, but in keeping with the spirit of the season, it must go on.
The year's gathering was special because of the presence of another cousin that came all the way from the Philippines, and although the reason for his coming was sad (the passing of his sister Mina), we were all glad that he was with us this Christmas, the one merriest day of the year.
The snowbanks of Canada were not too welcoming for this cousin that was so used to the sand dunes of Arabia, but for the unexpected passing of a sister that prompted his trip.
Instantly, he decided to come over for a last glimpse of his sister, and to bid her his last farewell (his other sister Linda followed a week or so after).
Well traveled, there were no surprises on the trip, except that on his arrival, instead of sand dunes, snowbanks were part of the welcoming landscape.
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A day before his scheduled arrival, a rare winterstorm hit Western and Central Canada that he was delayed at Vancouver which experienced a rare heavy snowfall, but he finally made it to Toronto. As he cleared immigration and stepped out, family were there to welcome him, but more than that welcomed him as he stepped further out into the open --- snowbanks.
Surely, his thoughts must be of the balmy weather that he just left behind, and of course, Jaworski. If only he could take the next flight back home.
Family and friends did try to make his stay as memorable as possible although it's winter, and except for winter enthusiasts, there are not that many places to go and visit.
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The family took him to Niagara Falls where he tried his luck at the Fallsview Casino. He did win some bucks. A planned trip to Ottawa was cancelled, instead, another Casino trip to Orillia north of Toronto was scheduled. He ain't the gambler but he surely knows when to walk away.
Now, after decades of not seeing each other (and wiser now), they met again. There's no question time has taken its toll on both (just like anybody else): The youthful guapito features were all gone now (or just a shade was left), but both can honestly say: They did live and are still living their lives --- alive and living!
- vbyssey, December 2007 |
