Family portrait through the years...
I was going over the photo albums in our living room last Thursday night and memories of my childhood came rushing back to me after seeing these pictures. I remember that every Christmas, we'd always pose in front of the tree to have our annual family portrait taken by my dad's step brother who was a photographer. I remember that it was on this Christmas morning that I got a bike just like my elder sister and we'd go around our neighbourhood parading it with our friends. I remember how happy I was that day and that's probably one of the very few memories of my childhood that I'll cherish the most.
L-R: Smiley me, younger brother Deane, youngest Jay-r, eldest Erma, and younger sister Odell Lyn
This picture came many years after the first one. I can't remember how long but you do the math. We weren't so innocent looking then and things have become more complicated and not so easy with our lives since the previous picture but the tradition of having our family portrait taken every Christmas has been kept alive (note the tree on the background!).
Front: Dad in his psychedelic top and Mum in her horizontal printed blouse
Back L-R: Odell Lyn, Deane, moi, Jay-R, and Erma
Fast forward- 2007. Everyone is now married (yes! including myself) and my parents are now grandparents to five lovely adorable (but sometimes spoiled and bossy) grandchildren- all girls! Mama is still working happily as a care home manager in Begbrook House where Papa works also. Erma is now teaching in General Santos with her husband Alexis and their two girls (Ea and Niña), Odell Lyn and her husband Michael are in Dumaguete where she is finishing her second course in Silliman with her two babies as well (Khyle and DJ), my younger brother Deane got married here in the UK last year and is now settled with his wife Marie, who has worked at Frenchay hospital for 4 years now. Our youngest brother Jay-r is in the Philippines, much more mature now with his fishing business which he enjoys with the "loves" of his life- wife CheChe and my godchild Alexa. What about me, you ask? I'm presently employed with one of the biggest vehicle breakdown recovery organisations in Britain, and very happy enjoying the fruits of my labour with the greatest person in the world and I couldn't be happier. Thank goodness!
L-R: Smiley me, younger brother Deane, youngest Jay-r, eldest Erma, and younger sister Odell Lyn
This picture came many years after the first one. I can't remember how long but you do the math. We weren't so innocent looking then and things have become more complicated and not so easy with our lives since the previous picture but the tradition of having our family portrait taken every Christmas has been kept alive (note the tree on the background!).
Front: Dad in his psychedelic top and Mum in her horizontal printed blouse
Back L-R: Odell Lyn, Deane, moi, Jay-R, and Erma
Fast forward- 2007. Everyone is now married (yes! including myself) and my parents are now grandparents to five lovely adorable (but sometimes spoiled and bossy) grandchildren- all girls! Mama is still working happily as a care home manager in Begbrook House where Papa works also. Erma is now teaching in General Santos with her husband Alexis and their two girls (Ea and Niña), Odell Lyn and her husband Michael are in Dumaguete where she is finishing her second course in Silliman with her two babies as well (Khyle and DJ), my younger brother Deane got married here in the UK last year and is now settled with his wife Marie, who has worked at Frenchay hospital for 4 years now. Our youngest brother Jay-r is in the Philippines, much more mature now with his fishing business which he enjoys with the "loves" of his life- wife CheChe and my godchild Alexa. What about me, you ask? I'm presently employed with one of the biggest vehicle breakdown recovery organisations in Britain, and very happy enjoying the fruits of my labour with the greatest person in the world and I couldn't be happier. Thank goodness!