London bridge is falling down

Dear Mama,

    I've been feeling anxious since this morning. I don't know what's causing it, Mama. Angel is sick again. She cannot eat well. She doesn't have any appetite although she's trying to eat, Mama. Please help us. Make Angel well, Mama.

    Ralph is also not feeling well, although he's trying to cope. He still doesn't have a job right now. He's still waiting for calls from those he'd applied on. He isn't talking much lately, and I don't know what to say to him, Mama.

    It seems it's only Edgar who is up right now, or at least he's trying to. I guess it's because of his new endeavor as a financial consultant. He needs to be positive and not easily give up. I wish he'd be successful, Mama.

    It will be Nanay's birthday in a month's time. For the last 10 years, we've been celebrating her birthday, Mama. Koya Boy and Ate Let usually goes home during Nanay's birthday. I'm always worried during these times, Mama.

    Anyway, that will be all for now, Mama. I'm sorry for failing our children. I wish you were still here. I knew they'd be much better.

                                                                                                        Daddy

Ranma crossed the rainbow bridge

Dear Mama,

    Another one of our cats crossed the rainbow bridge today. Ranma, the mother of Otis, left us today today, Mama. I did not know she was sick, although she was always hiding inside the cabinet of Edgar these past few days. This morning, Edgar and Angel saw her weak. They tried to revive her, but she eventually gave up. I feel bad for the cats, Mama. We really don't know how to take care of them.

    As for me, I am not sure if I'm having the flu or this is because of my age in this very cold weather we have. Although, I took my temperature this morning, it's 37.14. I took bioflu after that. I was planning to take one again now, but I remembered I just took my maintenance medicines. Maybe after a while, Mama. Just to be sure.

    We did not go out today, like we usually do on Sundays, Mama. Because Ralph went out with his friends, Edgar had a short ride around the neighborhood, while Angel and I stayed at home. I really wanted to go out, but I wasn't really feeling well. So, I just stayed at home.

    Unfortunately, I cannot take a sick leave tomorrow because it's Monday, Mama. If we took a sick leave on Monday, Fridays, or before and after a holiday or long weekend, we need to provide a medical certificate. Even if it's just one day.

    Anyway, that will be all for now, Mama. I might be playing the guitar for a while before I go to sleep.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                                Daddy

Prelude to weekend

Dear Mama,

    It's Friday night, and we just had our dinner. I am also done cleaning the cat litter boxes and taking out the trash. Ralph is out tonight, Mama. He attended a trivia night event, which is usually weekends - Friday and Saturday. He doesn't attend regularly, though. He attends the event based on the subject they have. Tonight must be general interest, Mama.

    I'm still waiting for my song arrangement, Mama. It's not yet done. It's almost February. I hope they did not change the tempo or the style. I'm excited but also worried.

    I am not sure what to expect this weekend, Mama. Although tomorrow we're going to the supermarket to buy our groceries. And every time we go to the supermarket, I always get anxieties, Mama. Worried about the line or any other untoward incidents. I hope I can control my anxieties, because it sometimes get in the way, Mama.

    That will be all for now, Mama. Please pray for us, especially our children.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                        Daddy

Monday update

Dear Mama,

    It's another Monday, start of another week. The new water meter hasn't been installed yet, they haven't inspected it yet. Hopefully, they'll come today, Mama.

    Edgar already bought his new motorcycle, although he hasn't been taking it to work. He still doesn't have the temporary plate, Mama. He might get flagged down if he get it out on the main road. If that happened, they might sense he's new and milk him for money. You know how corrupt traffic enforcers are.

    I'm still waiting for the song I asked to be arranged. It's not February yet, I am just excited.

    Anyway, that will be all for now, Mama. I miss you.

    I love you.

    

                                                                                                        Daddy

Our water meter is stolen again

Dear Mama,

    Our water meter was stolen again today. Angel woke me up at 3 a.m. today telling me that our water meter was stolen again. She said she was only made aware because the barangay personnel were knocking at our gate. They said they saw someone on the cctv acting suspicious, when they tried to catch them, they were already gone, and so was our water meter, Mama.

    This is the second time in less than a year that our water meter was stolen, Mama. Sometimes I think I'm the problem, am I attracting these things happening to us? I wasn't even actually thinking bad, Mama. I was busy thinking of our children and my upcoming song release in Spotify.

    Anyway, Ralph is on his way to report to the police and water district. He just came from the barangay for the report he needs to submit to the police and to the water district. 

    Edgar and I did not work today. Edgar's reason was because of his gout, while my reason was this stolen water meter. We have fixed the problem temporarily so we will have water in the house. Edgar also said he will go out later to finally get his motorcycle.

    That's all for now, Mama. I just want to update you on what happened to us.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                    Daddy

We gout another problem

Dear Mama,

    That's not a typo, we really gout another problem. Or should I say, we have another problem with gout.

    As you know, Mama, Ralph and Edgar are having recurring gout attacks. Tonight, Edgar's was worse. It's painful, Mama. It's started this morning, and it has gotten worse this evening. He said he was feeling the pain while he was at work today. I'm thankful he was able to make it home safe.

    They are taking medicine, Ralph and Edgar, for their gout, Mama. But it's just a pain reliever that they have to take when the gout attacks, and lately, they have been very painful. Ralph has it for more than 10 years now, probably. While Edgar's started last year. I hope they'll be free from this problem soon, Mama.

    Ralph still hasn't found a new job, Mama. He's still waiting for feedback from those he have applied before. I'm praying he finds a stable one soon.

    Angel discussed with me her plans about her health, Mama. She said she wants to see another dermatologist and get second opinion about her skin problem, and she's also planning to see a psychiatrist. We both agreed that she should see her doctor first, an internist, and she should tell him her plans about the dermatologist and the psychiatrist.

    That will be all for now, Mama. Praying for better future for us. Please help us pray.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                                Daddy

I took the first step

Dear Mama,

    Last night I took the first step in releasing my song to Spotify. I sent my song to an arranger, Mama. It will be finished by the first week of February. I have also contacted a recording studio where I'll record my song once the arranged music is completed, Mama. Then the mixing, and finally sending my song to a distributor who will upload my song to Spotify and other platforms.

    I'm excited, Mama. Although, I'm not really expecting much, given that there are a lot of outstanding independent songwriters releasing their songs to Spotify. Then there the mainstream artists, of course. So, I guess I'll be happy if I get 10 to 20 streams on Spotify with my song haha....

    That's all what I want to say, Mama. I wish you're here and I'm telling this to you personally. I hope I'm making you proud.

    I love you, Mama.

    I miss you.

                                                                                                                Daddy

Before I retire for the night

Dear Mama,

    I am about to sleep, but I thought I'd write a short letter for you. We'll start another week tomorrow, Mama. I'm praying there'll be better news for us, especially Ralph and Angel. Angel said she'll be applying for work tomorrow. Ralph is still waiting for calls. So far he only had 2 interviews, Mama.

    Edgar didn't get the motorcycle he was supposed to get today, Mama. I don't know what kept him, though. But I am relieved he won't riding a motorcycle for now.

    We went to SM Clark again today, Mama. Ralph had his haircut, while I bought some items I need for the laundry. Then we had ramen for dinner, and ice cream for dessert before going home, Mama. 

    I am considering to push through in releasing my original songs to Spotify, Mama. One song at a time, of course. I hope I'm making the right decision.

    That will be all for now, Mama. I did say it's short. But I wish I can hug you right now.

    I miss you, Mama.

    I love you.

                                                                                                                    Daddy