Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Sickness

24 September 2024

How's life recently?

September seems to be a busy month for me. After some birthday celebrations, here come preparations for the death anniversaries of my father and grandfather.

Anniversaries

The 22nd of this month was my father's death anniversary. However, in the Philippines, we have this tradition called pasiyam, where the family offers novena prayers from the death anniversary date until the ninth day. On the last day, our family needs to prepare food for those offering prayers and visitors, including family members, relatives, and friends of my father, who might come. So, I will be busy for the next few days until the 30th of the month. We also prepare food every morning after the novena, which will continue until the last day of this month. This kind of preparation is the same as preparing for a town fiesta.

Moreover, next month will be the last death anniversary of my grandfather. We call it Compleanyo, the 10th death anniversary and the last year to celebrate it. It's more like a family reunion than a death anniversary because everyone from children, grandchildren, and relatives will be invited. There'll be food, drinks, music, and dancing. I don't know why it is called compleanyo because it sounds like a Spanish term Cumplir años for a birthday, not a death anniversary.

Death anniversaries in the Philippines are quite a hassle, too, like other celebrations. Do people from different parts of the world follow the same tradition? I'm curious. Feel free to drop your answer.

A never-ending birthday celebration

Birthday is an event that I have always wanted to celebrate with my family, whether it is simple or grand. If we have more celebrants in a month, we used to celebrate it all simultaneously to save expenses and time. So, cakes usually have more than one name, showing all the celebrants' names on them. We have four celebrants this month—five actually, including our late father.

Here are the celebrants this month: my two sisters, my older brother, and his oldest son, who's been living with us since the school year started because our house is nearer to their school than theirs.

These two kids were the stars of the night as if it were their birthday. This little Breiana (on the left) loves blowing candles and singing birthday songs, even on other people's birthdays. Meanwhile, the other kid, Ashley (on the right), likes tasting the food served on the table before the celebration starts. It's not obvious on her body, though. They look adorable and funny to watch.

Sickness I hate

We were so busy recently that I caught some sicknesses. I got a cough and cold, two sicknesses I hate the most. I would rather get a fever than these two. They are irritating, but the annoying part is when I have to wake up early to help Mom prepare for the morning novena. Hopefully, I'll be fully recovered before the 30th. Additionally, our town fiesta is coming, particularly on the same day as my father's birthday, the 29th of the month, so there'll be activities and shows to watch this week until next. I wish to watch at least one of those events, even just the parade, since it's been years since I attended my hometown fiesta. I also thought it would be perfect to feature on my blog.

Blessings come when you least expect them.

An opportunity knocked on my door, but I'm thinking twice about grabbing it because it wasn't really in my plan. There's a job offer bound to one of the popular Asian countries, but I wish to work somewhere in Europe or New Zealand. I'm torn on whether to seize the opportunity or stick to my original plan. It's quite tough to make the final decision, to be honest, but I'm thinking about the new possibilities that I might encounter and new experiences that I could acquire once I pursue it.

Do you think it's fine to grab it for now and then pursue my original plan later (if ever)? Let me know your answer. Thanks.

Thanks for your time.

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