My nephew, Sean, came with my parents in the city for a "vacation". He lives in the province, in Liloan, Southern Leyte (if you want to check our town's hidden treasures, here's a link from another blogger who'd been there) with his mother-my sister-and my parents. He brought his own backpack and he looked like one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when he came in the door. Lol. He also brought with him his purse with more than a P100 in it. As soon as he finished doing the "Amen" or "Mano Po" (a gesture used in Filipino culture as a sign of respect to elders), he diligently lifted mattresses, turned over pen holders, dug his hand inside school bags and opened cabinets to scour for coins to add to his savings. Lol.
"What are you going to do with your money?" I asked.
"I'm going to play at the mall!" he replied.
Yes, we went to Bibo, the amusement center in SM City Cebu. But instead of using his savings to purchase the tickets and tokens they needed, we used the money our father gave us to spend. With that taken cared of, he decided he'd buy a toy with his money. So we agreed to go to Toy Kingdom before we go home. Along with my brother, Frances, the two boys had fun in Bibo. They rode thrice in the bump car, only because I was not able to take good pictures of him to post on his mother's Facebook timeline. Unfortunately, his videos and pictures were recorded in vain for my brother's phone was lost (or fell off from his short's pocket), perhaps, in the taxi. So, we only have memories of his fun etched in our hearts and mind. Later that day, as we recalled what happened to our parents, he said, "There will be next time." (He's already started saving for his next trip to Cebu, lol).
That was so mature. But I should have expected he'd say something like that after the patience and intelligence he displayed at Toy Kingdom. As I mentioned above with him being diligent in looking for loose coins around the apartment, it reached P 200. He walked around the toy store constantly stopping before the toys he liked and asked us how much they cost and if he's money was enough to buy even one of them. That touched my very core and crushed my heart at the same time. I felt guilty for letting them loose in the amusement center. We could have saved some of the money to add to his purse. :(
The toy he decided to buy was a mini roller he could push with his finger and it cost P 399.95. But he only got P 200, so he's P 200 short. Good thing though my sister joined us after her class. She and I pitched in to make it P 400. Clutching his toy, he went to the counter-accompanied by my brother-to pay for it.
Growing up without a father and surrounded by adults, Sean matured too early for his age. He thinks for himself. He chooses what clothes to wear. He knows which shirts are for going out, which ones are for daily wear and which ones are for sleeping. You can't force him to wear after bath clothes as sleeping clothes and vice versa. He folds his own clothes, rolls his underwears and socks and stack them in the right file. He chooses which shoes to wear to school as well, and asks to wear slippers when it's raining. He tells everyone in the house what he'll have for breakfast and knows when to compromise if his favorite food is out of stock. He insists on eating only scrambled egg, not the sunny side up or how else we want it to be cooked. He looks at the wall clock and points out the time he'll be finished eating, when he'll brush his teeth and what time he'll leave for school. And for his age, he already makes smart comments to our amusement. But he also knows when his words become too much for his own good. Lol. He's a "runner", buying stuff we need from the sari-sari store and I don't remember him refusing to do so even once, even when the sun is scorching or it's raining-he wears a cap or bring umbrella, whichever applies.
With an independent mind, sometimes it becomes a battle of wills-him vs. his mom, or him vs. my mother, and so on-whoever is in a clash with him at a given moment. There were instances he knew he lost but he did not concede defeat and continued fighting. Lol. It was fun to watch, and kinda amusing (although it's hard to maintain a poker face throughout the battle). The kid has pride and he does not break down easily. As an eight year old, he is displaying maturity beyond his age. With that being said, he will be a good man when he grows up. I think so, at least.
It's a long way to go though. For now he's excited about school again. With the preparation going, e.g. buying the things he needs for school, there will be more compromises, especially to his wardrobe. Lol.
With limited shopping stores in the province, my sister scans online for the stuff he needs (hallelujah for the internet). No surprise that Sean looks at them as well and gets to choose which designs suit his preferences-and I tell you he has impeccable taste. By the way, since start of school is coming soon and if you don't have the time to physically do the shopping for your kids' apparel, there's a large collection of kids wear at ZALORA, and you can also check out their cute booties for toddlers (if you guys have toddlers... they too deserve to be dressed up). Sean loves going to departments stores, but he's equally delighted to receive packages. Well, with the online store delivering the purchase right on your door step, that can be considered a package. Right?
He's not a spoiled kid. Though we tend to do so once in a while. Besides being responsible, he's awfully sweet; randomly patting our heads, kissing our temples and rubbing our backs just because he wants to do so. We-parents and siblings- could not and would not be able to fill the role of a father even if we try. But I hope he feels he is so well-loved and respected. We hope he will remember the things we are teaching him to be the better man he would become. Hopefully, better than the man who abandoned him.
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