CHAPTER ELEVEN

What Dreams May Come

Even when I was still 10 years old, I dreamt of having a little sister of my own. You see, I belong to a family of 5, and all three of us are brothers, no female whatsoever, only my mom. I was too envious with some of my friends who have sisters and they get together very well. Since then, I started persuading my parents of having another baby, but this time I want a sister. Even my younger brothers want the same thing. A baby sister.

Whenever my birthday comes along, I only had one wish. To have a little sister of my own. Just one. But it seems to me that my wish was never granted. And it really makes me feel sad everytime I see my friends with their own sisters. It’s like envy is consuming me little by little, part by part, and I started hating that. I started hating all of it.

After 10 years, I still dream of the same thing over and over again. I still wanted to have a little sister of my own. But dreams may never really come to those who don’t deserve it. I then started to realize, maybe I don’t deserve to have a sister. Maybe I’m not worthy enough. Maybe I’m not like other people.

Me and my friends at the youth ministry held our annual parish youth day, and we invited youth from different schools across our parish, there I meet several young people, who actually started calling me "Kuya" the day we first met. After that event, I started visiting them at their classes. It was the start of a lasting relationship.

That’s when I realize one thing. God doesn’t want to give me just one little sister. He wanted me to have more than a dozen. And it was something I was very grateful of. These young people made my life complete. We started hanging out, they started sharing their thoughts and problems to me, and I felt like a real older brother to them. For me, they were the best gifts I’ve received ever since I was 10 years old.

Today, they are having their graduation day. It seems to me that the little women are starting to grow as ladies in their very own ways. I am so proud of meeting and having these young people. I am very blessed, just like the other people who knew them. And I’ll never forget the day that we all first met.

To Jhoanne, for being the true little sister I never had, thank you for being a part of my life.

To Sugar, for staying as sweet and as funny as you are whenever we were together, thank you for letting me into your life.

To Dinia, for being the littlest yet funniest gal I’ve met, thank you for being so special that you always make me smile.

To Janin, for being strong and courage even in the hardest of times, thank you for believing in me and my capabilities.

To Harlene, though we don’t see each other that often anymore, thank you for letting me know that people needs to smile and accept life the way it has been.

To Geneh, my not-so-little sister, thank you for the unlimited smiles you brought to me at times I feel hard as rock.

To Alexis, for being lovable and cuddly, thank you for giving me some space in your heart and providing me the trust that I earned from you.

To Roselyn, the most innocent and discreet person in the group, thank you for trusting me the way I trusted you all this time.

To Gessie, the brightest yet humble lady I’ve ever met, thank you for always remembering me even if you have your own life right now.

To Savina, one of the prettiest faces I’ve ever seen, thank you for the inspiration, your dedication towards others inspired me a lot especially at times I feel unworthy of being a leader.

To Belle, the most lovable woman in the world, thank you for all the love I felt from you, for showering me all the care I felt in my entire life.

To Thepthep, for trusting me and confiding in me at times when you need a helping hand, thank you for giving me the trust and the confidence you showered on me.

To Klangklang, the happiest person in the world, thank you for giving me the smiles of the morning breeze and the laughter of the evening dew.

And the only male, to Jovan, the strength and power of the group, thank you for inspiring me in believing myself and in believing to the power of God.

To all of you, congratulations and may God give you the strength to move forward. I just hope you’ll never forget that sometime in your life, you came across the way of someone like me…

…your ever-loving "Kuya".