Reliving my childhood

Dear Kristen, Clarissa and Jonathan. I am sorting out my photo album which have you little children in it. You all look so adorable and cute with big smiles on your faces. Stay close to each other and keep smiling always. I am so blessed and privileged to have you all in my life. May God bless you with the desires of your heart.

Love always, Aunt Sharon.

As soon as her text came in, I read it and instantly replied her requesting for her to bring that photo album. Then, I read it again, and again. And as I did, her words Stay close to each other were like tingling echoes in my eardrum. It made me think and reflect on my relationship with my siblings, how we were then and how we are now.

Sure it goes without saying that much has change during the course of time.

We used to build ourselves a tree-house, a make-believe one made out of pillows, bolsters and blankets. We used to pretend that we were on a mission - I blame it on the influence Kim Possible had on us - with toy guns and weapons in hand. We also pretended to have fins and played teatime like mermaids in our condominium's public swimming pool - trying to hold our breaths as much as possible and acting like it was effortless. We took long bike rides together almost every evening, roller-skated till' our feet hurt, and when our friends initiated a game of badminton, we'd conquer the whole stretch of road along the row of my Grandma's house to play it together. Not to mention the uncountable times we argued and fought like cats and dogs among ourselves. We did everything together, which I believe, is what bonded us on levels exceptional of a good family foundation.

Over time, I realized that it was through doing things together that I began to open up to them - and I don't only speak for myself. I began to tell them secrets that were hard to keep but knew they would. I began to tell them about current crushes and update them about the happenings in my day. The little things, you know. And in time, I received that same openness and casualness in return.

Now, as we are all on the border to adulthood, I realize that all the things we used to do together such as play hide-and-seek and 'good cop, bad cop' has transitioned into confiding in each other, initiating past-bedtime sibling meetings, and covering each other's asses when either of us gets into trouble. Of course, not everything changes - We still have our petty arguments occasionally, sometimes until the point where I wish I was the only child. But don't we all go through this phase as we are growing up?

I flipped through each page and allowed each photo to lead me to folders of memories stored away in my mind, unleashing a certain nostalgia within me when I could remember the moments behind each photo with clarity. Tears welled up around my eyes and I was overwhelmed with emotion by how beautifully we portrayed togetherness in each picture, with big smiles on our faces... and also by the harsh reality that time passes us by, whether we like it or not, leaving us with only fragments of memory for keeps.

I looked at the three siblings in the photographs taken all those years ago, thought of how we are now, and could not help but smile. I am not sure why but maybe it is knowing well of the fact that despite us growing up, nothing much has changed deep down in our hearts. Maybe it is the peace I have within me in knowing that they won't.

We still have each other's backs. We still cover each other's asses. We still protect each other in every way possible - I know I would. We still try to be there for each other, whether in times of need or not.

And I cherish what my siblings and I have because in a way, I consider myself lucky. In a world that has evil lurking it's way into our lives at every corner, families get broken up; siblings turn their backs on each other and a home does not quite feel much of a home anymore. But not my family, not my siblings and I, not my home.

I guess we would always be those three little children with broad smiles across our faces and eyes washed in wonder, which will also hold as a reminder to me that sometimes, some things are just meant to remain the way they are.

Other things may change us, but we start and end with family.