Lucas celebrated his 73rd birthday in Cotabato. That same day July 12, 2013, my children Emil, Martha and Marion were leaving for United Kingdom for Marion's graduation at University of Warwick. Unlike last year, where Lucas and I went to Manila to celebrate his natal day with our children, this year we opted to stay home and have an after-work party with our employees. They have been like our second/extended family here in Cotabato City.
Unexpectedly few days before the celebration, Tomas texted me from Manila that he planned to come home for his dad's birthday. I told him that he need not come at all, for it would be such a hassle travelling with two young boys: Dylan and Yuri age 7 and 2 respectively. It was the Friday and Tom and Angel had to take a leave from work and Dylan had to absent himself from school also. But Tom had his mind set to come home and told me specifically not to inform his father. He wanted to surprise him.
That - wasn't going to be an easy task for me. For aside from busy preparing for a party for 70 people, I had to quietly prepare for their home coming too. I requested my two helpers to keep things hush hushed. Without much noise, they helped me get ready the big unused bedroom for occupancy. We also brought out plates and utensils, glasses and cups to set the table for more than two persons. But there was this problem of fetching Tomas and family from the airport, I could not personally fetch them home without Lucas wondering where I was. That very morning when they were supposed to arrive before noon, I asked Nestor our driver/employee to go to the airport and please to keep it all a secret to himself. But, their flight however was so much delayed, for more than four hours. I was really getting worried. Even after lunch, I could not take my siesta without constantly looking at my cell phone for further news from Tom and Angel who were still at the pre-departure area in Manila. I said a couple of prayers for their safe travel and when they informed me that they were starting to board the plane already, I thus continued with the remaining preparations and went down to the store later to anticipate their arrival. At the store, after a while of absent, people were starting to look for Nestor. They knew he went to the airport but nobody knew whom he was meeting. The 'surprise', instead of coming home before noon, arrived at four o'clock in the afternoon. What a travelling inconvenience for them, but thank God, He brought Tom and Angel and Dylan and Yuri safely home to Cotabato.
When they arrived, I was inside the store office reading newspaper while Lucas was in his own cell working :) I saw Tomas and Dylan came in first. I cried out happily and told them to get inside Lucas' office and kiss him 'happy birthday'. Lucas heard the commotion outside, then he saw Tom and Dylan entered his work cubicle. He was really surprised, he jumped out from his seat. He confessed that he was so happy, he felt like crying. Everybody was so happy for him too. After all, those people whom I told to keep it a secret, did their job pretty well too (many thanks to them). It was the happiest birthday gift for Lucas.
In behalf of Lucas, myself and my family, I sincerely thank God for the gift of life and the gifts of friends and families (personal as well as adoptive/extended). Thank you very much dear Lord.
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