This is him, taken last December 06, 2008 at his farm in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon when he called for a reunion. He was waving from his grave site that he carefully planned as to where it should be. This was done by his BIL almost a year ago. He really prepared for his death after learning that he has cancer (nasopharyngeal carcinoma) summer of 2007. Donald was calm and more thankful than sad that his father’s suffering has finally ended. Each time that we are here in Davao, I always have to convince him to visit my FIL and more often than not, I attack his guilt just so I could nudge him to go. He just couldn’t bear the sight of his father suffering and I knew exactly the feeling because I have been there too when Mamang was dying.

When I broke the news to Ella, she muttered “Sabi ko na nga ba!” (That’s what I am saying.) I asked her  what can she say that her Lolo died to which she replied “Lord, sana magpakabuti siya diyan sa Inyo…” (Lord, I hope he will be good there…) Then I prodded some more if she isn’t sad and she answered, “Malungkot. Kasi wala ng magbigay ng juice sa akin…wala ng magtaway ng Ellatoy sa akin…” (Sad. Because there would be no one to give me juice…and no one would call me Ellatoy.) She then asked for a paper from Donald and she drew a picture of her and her Lolo holding hands together. I am such a moron for not taking a snap of it before she put it on top of his casket.

The trip from Trento seemed so quick for me. Maybe because Ella was asleep at Donald’s lap almost the entire trip as I dozed off too. We arrived here in Davao half past 6 and went straight to my sister’s place to drop our stuffs. We should have gone here as soon as we received the news but we only have little amount left in the purse. I am still  waiting for my blog money and it was not yet in my paypal. Glad that Ate Lourdes was there to loan us some moolah but we still have to straighten the house before we leave. There are piles of laundry (Emmanuel’s) that hasn’t yet folded and it took me forever to do it because they are oh sooooo tiny. A couple arrived to ask for Donald’s assistance too with baptismal certificates that ate his time. Ella hates to travel and she was worried about the whole thing but when Donald told her that she will see her cousins, she got excited. She was even blabbering about seeing Teddy again whom she really really missed.

When we are about to get off the bus:

Ella: Mommy, sikat pala kami? (Mommy, I had no idea that we are famous.)

Me: Ha? bakit mo nasabi ‘yan? (Why have you said so?)

Ella: Kasi nakita ko sa paper bag nung babae nakasulat LEE. (Because there’s a LEE written on the lady’s paper bag.)

Me: Sino pala ang sikat? (And who is famous then?)

Ella: Kami ni Daddy. Donald Lee at Daniella Cassandra Lee. (Daddy and me. Donald Lee and Daniella Cassandra Lee.)

So they are the only Lee’s…I am not one of the famous.

We didn’t let my sisters know that we are coming so Cheche was pretty surprised when we knocked on the door. She happily greeted Ella and asked, “Bakit di ka nagtxt Lay?” (Why haven’t you sent a message Lay?) This little debater answered, “Kasi wala akong cellphone.” (Because I don’t have a cellphone.) grrrrr…… Since we are all starving after not having decent breakfast and lunch, we had dinner first before heading to the funeral parlor. Crislyn and BIL arrived shortly and they are surprised at our surprise visit again. After dinner, Cheche went with us and Ella was all over the place serving some goodies, making her Lola crazy over her antics, chattering with relatives and guests and making friends with other kids from the other grieving family in the other side of the parlor.