My Unforgettable Place

“Old House”

“It’s almost ruined”, this I hear from people who simply walk pass through our old house. At first sight people might say that line, but they do not really know what’s with it and it is never abandoned.

Our family now is living in a house with noise around. The place comprises many different faces from different places. At first I thought it was ideal for us to settle in a place where we can raise our livelihood to give us the things we crave in life. But one day wile walking back to the road I used to take before when I  was juvenile, immature in mind I realized is it really right to leave our old house and move in a vicinity I consider living hell?

While sitting in a corner I watch our house and a thought popped out my mind, indeed it got old. The time was so nostalgic; I find no escape, bit by bit I can feel the heavy emotions rising from me. I noticed something not far from my sight and it was a little slipper, it looks like it had been there for years. I went close to it and pulled it from the surface it’s buried. I took a glance of it for several minutes and to realize that it was my slipper out of nowhere I whispered this is the place where I used to play. Here I laugh outrageously, with playmates around the world out there seems not to exist. A day is not enough everyone wants to stay and play but my parents would say “that’s enough for today, there’s still tomorrow anyway. And one at a time my playmates would go with smile drawn in their faces. Inside the house mother was preparing for our supper, my older sister out of curiosity would usually assist her in the preparation. At the living room is where my father would typically preach us about our religion and about things significant in life. Everything was so simple. We sleep after a very long day of play and of work.

Morning comes; there was silence from all around the place. Silence won’t stay for long for birds would sing and my older sister’s deafening alarm clock would ring. It’s time to wake up, breakfast is ready. In front of me is my father reading newspaper that I find to be very boring. Right beside me is my mother feeding my little shrewd sister. Everybody is so busy doing their stuff. After breakfast I rushed into the comfort room and quickly take a bath my mind is telling me that everyone is waiting outside for me to start the game and to think those people out side our house were all bunches of ill-tempered youngsters. Everything in my mind is just so accurate, excited faces were right before my eyes. They stood altogether, everyone was complaining, of course I have to do my responsibilities before playing. And it went on; we played until all of us are tired of running and yelling. The day end with a big sigh from everyone.

Right were I stand I feel pain on my legs and I realize I've been standing there for almost an hour. I saw the slipper that was on my hand; I smile and scratch my head. Suddenly I felt an unspeakable feeling. It’s one of my memories that I always want to go back to and there is only one place where I can reminisce my childhood past and it is found in my favorite place, our old house.

Who says that was an abandoned house?  It was not abandoned because our family’s memories of joy and happiness will remain right inside and outside that house.

“The Real Me”

by Denden A. Andang

People sometimes judge me for being so irresponsible. They say that I carry out things without thinking what it may bring me. Maybe they call it foolishness as they have understood it. I say “Life is a matter of choice. It is you who decide for yourself and not other people. If you let them dictate you, then you will never get the happiness you deserve”

I believe not all people live a happy life. Primarily because they let other people interfere on whatever decisions they make. If you really want to get what you really wish to have for yourself you better decide on your own. You understand your situation well enough, than they do. So if you got mislead by them, never throw the blame to anybody because in the first place you let yourself be blinded by their sugary words. I know that it’s not wrong to listen but you should always know how wrong is different from right. As much as possible if I got to picked the wrong choice I do not want to blame anybody. I want that despite of being judged and ridiculed for what I did people will simply remember me as someone who takes the risk and courageously faced the consequences of his mistake.

People believed everything that happen in their lives have purposes. When in reality, what exactly happened to them  whether good or bad were the results of their decisions.  For me even if I got the wrong choice I would never regret it because I know I will definitely learn from it and I  can still put it right in the future. Do not get discourage if you fail to choose the right one just as long as you do not do it again. Anyway your happiness always almost depends on you and not with other people. Don’t be afraid to decide on your own because that is a proof that you choose to be yourself.

Life is indeed wonderful. And as for me I want to taste all it has to offer. It may sound ridiculous but what I’m chasing for is the experience that most people deprived their selves from. The sweetness and the bitterness of life are its natural pieces and no one could ever escape from these. I believe that you can never stay with the happiness of life without being stranded to its hostility. So if you ever get to encounter any of these, be thankful and grateful because God has always something that will surprise us.

“A son and a father”

By Denden A. Andang BSEd ENGLISH

It’s getting dark and all I can see is a thin light from afar. I was walking down our empty house, I knew that nobody’s home because I used to hear voices echoing even if you are distance away. I walk slowly thinking where could they be? The silence almost tortures my preoccupied mind. I couldn't find any reason why the house was empty? When I get to the door and about to open it there was a man standing right before I could distinguish who he was? As he get near me I saw a gloomy face that will surely suggests something was going wrong. I didn't bother asking my uncle why he was in our home and wearing that look instead I run to my room and started packing up my things. I know that look of my uncle addresses me that my father broke down from his ill-health. The silence with in the house evaporates when I receive a text message from my older sister. I know any moment in time I’ll break down but I tried to remain strong as much as I could.

While taking my way to the hospital I didn't notice that tears are already falling. I tried to hold it back but the fact that any of this moment everything will be too late. I prayed hard because I know that’s the only thing I could do for my father who is suffering from a disease I never expected to happen. Little by little my heart is being ragged, I can’t take the thought that, that ravenous disease would steal the one and only father I have. When I arrived at the hospital, I rushed into the entrance and quickly directed myself to my father’s assigned room. I’m already standing behind the door but I couldn't get my self inside. I wanted to get in but something stops me from moving and I know this is the feeling I wanted to escape from, that it might be too late and that everything will soon be over. I tried to compose my self and took the courage to enter the room. Then I realized I was wrong. The worries suddenly vanish. My mother stood up and told me to keep silent. For a moment I watched my father as he tried to chase his breathe and this is something that I don’t want to see. He was totally breathless and the only thing that helped him breathe in is the machine connected to him. It hurts to see him in that state. I would have wanted to take his place and get him away from that condition. I’d rather be on his place than to see him in too much pain. After an hour my father tried to move. He was talking but it was hard for us t understand him. I was surprised when he pointed on me but I don’t know what he was up to. My mother went near him and tried to ask my father what he was trying to express. A couple of minutes had passed. My mother approached me and told me to go home. I intently ask her why? But find no response from her. I wanted to stay with my father but my mother wouldn't want me to, and I simply don’t know why? I tried to ask her for the second time, and her answer struck me with pain.

            Two months have passed by very fast. My father departed this life. Life has been so unfair to me and the rest of the family. The day he died is the same day I felt I was lost and nowhere to be found. I was alone and trying to take in what had happened.  My father’s lost almost kill my existence as a happy and funny person. But I have to be strong not just for my self but for my mother I know who felt so much pain more than we do. Days without my father around left our home in silence and sorrow.  Nobody dared to talk about him not without my mother who kept on encouraging us to live like we all do before. Although pain is still drawn on my mother’s face we all decided to keep our own feelings to ease my mother’s misery. Later on we learned to accept that my father is gone and continue our life in the absence of someone to call father.

            It’s an ordinary day to call. Something slips out from my mouth that I didn't intend to ask but something pushed me. My mother in surprised answered back. Suddenly tears fell down my cheek. I didn't know what to say because I was left dumbfounded. My father intended not to see me in the hospital because he does not want to see me crying. That he does not want to see his son in pain because of his condition. Then I realize how lucky I am to be his son and to have him as my father.

“Shoes”

Denden Andang

We wear a pair of shoes naturally to give comfort to our feet. We wear it to look good and sometimes to look more expensive. There are times we search for the best pair of shoes that will absolutely suit our taste in fashion.

Indeed, shoes define human walks of life. Shoes with signature may be worn by the rich ones and those bought perhaps in lower cost worn by the less privilege.

In reality we look at shoes as a representation of what we are with in the society and an accessory that we just simply remove. But to realize its real worth is nobody’s business.

For someone who knows the real quintessence of a pair of shoes is the very best gift you can give. For they truly know that this pair of shoes will bring them to many unforgettable experience that some people deprived themselves from.

A pair of shoes is never different from any other. But it may vary as to someone who wears it. Shoes torn apart may embody its essence not by its prize but through the challenges it had undergone and the trials it had overcome. Every step it leaves also leaves a memory that will be loved forevermore.

                Eventually, we will realize that shoes are not just simply a cover on our feet but a buddy that will bring us to our peak of success. That no matter how far we have travelled will remain the best memory of experience that we will never forget.