The D Spot

How fast time flies! Our youngest, Alan, Jr. is now 14 years old!

Who would ever think that this boy (who used to be my little boy) would grow up to be a fine young man despite the fact that during his first 10 years I was practically half-away from home traveling? It was only during the last 4 years after retirement that I got to see him day in and day out.

Who would ever think that even at a very young age, he has become independent? Is it because he has 6 other siblings to compete attention with? I don’t know, but as the youngest, his siblings (and even I) have assumed that we have our ears and eyes for him. Half of the time we are sensitive to his needs and presence in the home, and half of the time we know that he would manage. And most of the time, he would be the one asked to “do this for me”, “do that for me”, “get this for me”, and “get that for me”. He may or may not necessarily oblige, and sometimes asks, “why me?”. The pluses and minuses of being the youngest in the family, of being the “bunso”.

Who would ever think that he has never been a boy who grew up with toys? I realized a few months back that yes–he never had his own toy (only a remote-controlled car that had when he was 6 years old (oh yes, I remember having brought him a toy or 2 from my travels but they were not the ordinary toys that a little boy would play). And what did he grow up with? Gadgets and computers galore, not really all that he wanted but all that he needed to keep him content and busy. Mind you–he is not what you call a computer/games addict spending all his time outside school with computers.

Who would ever think that despite the fact that he is a computer buff, he has many other interests. He loves music, he loves watching TV, he loves movies, he loves pizza, pasta, chocolates, and yes iced tea and Coke. He loves going to the mall just like his siblings. And he has his own sense of fashion–he cannot be dictated upon.

Who would ever think that he grew up without any supervision nor any help with regard to school work? He would do things on his own, follow schedules, even go to school on his own when no one can bring him to school. Come teacher/parent discussion day at the end of each quarter, teachers would not have anything negative to say–mostly good words. Thank you, Claret School for his elementary days formation, and thank you Ateneo for refining him some more the Ignatian way. Thank you for being our partners all the time that he has been growing up, God fearing, never missing on his prayers and Sunday Masses.

Who would ever think that he has been a great help to me with regard to my own work? A few months back he has created a program that has saved me a good 1 hour of my workday, now doing the work automatically instead of manually listing and tallying some data. Thank you, thank you so much! Now I have time for doing other things.

Who would ever think that even at a young age, he would be the family’s “help center” when it comes to computers, gadgets, games, software and hardware. He would tinker, test, program and google until he gets the right answers, until he gets the right program, until he gets the right way to do things. Computers and gadgets fascinate him–and that is to the advantage of the family.

Who would ever think that he has been my constant companion, holding my hand assisting me, even if I do not need assisting? He would offer his hand when I climb up or go down the stairs or the escalator. Every now and then, I would hear him say, “Mommy” just so I would notice him while I am at work. “Am I makulit?” he would ask at times, and I would always say, “Yes, you are”. As the youngest (4 of his siblings are still in college) I get to have the most number of precious hours with him at home.

Wonder of wonders–that’s my young lad (a little boy no more), young brother to 3 sisters and 3 brothers, an uncle to 3 (+1) and a loving grandson to his Mommylola. That’s my Alan, Jr. who now is 14 years old, a fine young man. He may be the “bunso” in the family but does not act one all of the time–only half of the time.

Happy birthday, Alan Jr.! We thank the good Lord for giving you to us and for continuing to be a source of joy to the family. God bless you a thousand fold, dear son! God bless you with good health, safety in wherever you go, good reasoning, and many many more that a young man like you more than deserve. We so love you!

Your dad, brothers–Angelo, BA and Vince, your sisters–Monica, Chato and Pau, your nieces and nephew–Pia, Cate and Raffy, your Ate Caren and Mommylola and of course Mucci (arf! arf!) wish that you get your heart’s desire on this your special day. What is it? What is it? Tell me! Tell me!

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