Mother’s Day has passed and soon it will be Father’s Day. The loss of parents or a family member can affect every surviving members differently.
Filipinos are known to be family-oriented. It has always been “family first and blood is thicker than water” as pointed out and shown to us by our elders. Family-related holidays are extra sensitive because most Filipinos mask grief really well being one of the happiest people in the world.
Filipinos love shopping malls. Most family gatherings and holiday celebrations are spent in the malls. And, why not! The mall is a one-stop-shop. It has a place for the kids to play, restaurants and fast food places to share meals, movies and cinemas, and of course, shopping. However, it is also a place of memories. Visiting the same place can be painful and stressful.
Filipinos are sentimental, we always remember. But we are our choices, too. We can choose to celebrate and face the day, or say no and tell our loved one “Maybe some other day”. It is all good. After all, grief has no timeline. We create the pace. One step at a time.
Images: Pixabay