To my dearest Solana,
Last night, we attended the 50th wedding
anniversary of tita norma and tito nionio (lola and lolo to you). It was quite a drive to add to an already
long and exhausting drive to Fairview but it was a celebration I did not want
to miss. Golden anniversaries are hard
to come by these days. Either people give
up or their bodies do and marriages end long before they reach this
milestone.
You were tired and sleepy and you would not leave the
dance floor. With droopy eyes, you
rested on your papa’s or tito bobby’s arms as they swayed you around. You particularly enjoyed watching the band,
fascinated with how their instruments work.
When you were on your feet, you would do your own adorable dance moves
that remind me a little of how indigenous tribes dance in the cordilleras. You are, of course, so much cuter.
And this is how you are at this age. Barely 18 months old and already the life of
any party you’ve been to. You fight off
sleep with every bit of your strength to enjoy the party, to keep on
dancing. I love love LOOOOVE how you are
so enjoying your childhood.
There’s this country song that I love that I will sing to
you as you grow older. It’s corny, sure, but corny is sometimes how life is
enjoyed best.
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside
the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking
Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking
Loving might be a mistake, but it's worth making
Don't let some Hellbent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I love you.
Mama
