This morning I had the white chrysanthemum tea I ordered from Lazada and it tasted like the essence of those old stuffy rebultos (statue) of saints that my grandma had in her altar.

I went to my dentist right after lunch because one of my crowns got loose (the curse of being a clencher and grinder). I parked in front of the old house because that’s the only legal place I can park my big car. I saw the forlorn state of the garage and how dusty everything was. Then one of the old lady neighbors saw me and asked where the girls’ dad was, how are the twins, and are we living now in the province. I really felt uncomfortable with her quizzing.

After that I went to SM to buy the girls underwear, pants, shorts, and T-shirts. They’re no longer little girls.

When J left in December, they were still “whiny little kids.” Now that they’re finished with fourth grade, they’re now transformed into little ladies–I needed to buy them sando-bras now (not pictured). It was so fast.

It’s true what they say: the nights are long but the years are short. When I was sleepless when they were infants until toddler years, I thought the hardships would never end. I barely had time for myself to comb my hair. Now their aesthetics are almost like that of a teenager. Their thought process especially daughter I, is no longer childlike. They know what J and I were. They understood what happened and what I went/am going through. They’re smarter and more understanding than I gave them credit for.

They grow up so fast that soon I may no longer be able to catch up.

I’m growing old too and have yet to find my place in this world.