After Kara’s confirmation this afternoon, we proceeded to SM to eat since we were not able to eat lunch as we had to be in the church at 12:30 for the registration because Kara didn’t want a long line ahead of her. Good thing we were there quite early because there were already a lot of people, and with the kids bringing each a parent and/or a sponsor, the church was filled to the max in no time.
While in SM, we decided to finally watch GI Joe. We didn’t watch it earlier knowing the long lines would just greet us, so thank you very much, but we could wait. And this early evening, we did watch it, Kara, Bong and I.
Needless to say, I enjoyed the movie so much (well, except for the fact that again, it was laced with a sappy love story, but hey, that’s inevitable in every movie, I guess.) It helped that I didn’t know anything about the stories behind each of the GI Joe characters, so unlike watching the harry potter films where each memorable scene that is not included in the film adaptations would usually disappoint me. but yeah, GI Joe delivered in that it had a lot of good action scenes, and the story pretty much entertained me.
But what made it special was the realization that if my brother Lon were there, I knew he would immensely enjoy it. and while watching it, I was immediately transported to that distant time when he was still a kid. You see, when he was still a boy of about 6 or 7, he used to enjoy GI Joe action figures so much. Whenever my mom would go to Divisoria, she would always, always bring one or two, even three GI Joe toys for my brother Lon to play with. He had a collection, and I would often witness him playing with these by himself. I also remembered the joy in his eyes when he would first set eyes on his new GI Joe action figure, and I knew, that he would sleep at night, clutching those toys to his chest.
These are all memories of a happy childhood, which I would bring back, if only I could, because eleven years ago on August 20, my brother Lon left us.
I still get sad whenever I remember him because naturally, I miss him so much. There are a thousand things I would want him to know, but which I could only say to him whenever I pray and wish him eternal repose. Wherever you are, Lon, that movie was for you, and I watched it believing I was seeing it in your eyes.
Then again, my sadness is lessened whenever I look at my little boy who has an uncanny resemblance to his Tito Lon. I just hope he also gets his wonderful ability in Arts and especially Math and English from him. But for now, I am content watching him clutching his toy cars to his chest as he sleeps, much like Lon did with his GI Joes when he was still a kid.
To you, Lon, remember always that Ate Kaye loves you so much and prays you are happy where you are. May you rest in peace…
P.S. Incidentally, GI Joe showed in cinemas here in the Philippines on August 7, which is my brother Lon’s birthday.
