I was the breadwinner. Well, sort of.
...
My family, financially, was below average, above rats. Yes, I guess one can say, we were poor. It was sad for some reasons; one being, I watched my parents had their fights over money. I was five. Everyone was tired, physically. Though I honestly think it was more than that.
My dad, he was a jolly man. The jolliest man around. He could easily be Mr. Claus. He was friendly, and humble. He was worthy of a good novel. He was also a great dancer. Or probably not. But that's [one of] what I love most about him.
But that guy, he was the most tired; I saw it in his eyes.
...
What would you give, if you can have anything, if you have everything? Well...
I gave my grades.
It made him happy. I almost always got a perfect score on tests. I joined contests and quiz bees, academic or otherwise. I almost always won. In every class, I was ranked first. Every year, they would go up the stage to receive my medals. He bragged about it. To his friends. To his boss. To neighbors. To strangers. I made him proud.
Grades meant higher hopes.
Of getting there. Where food ain't scarce.
...
What would you give, if you can have anything, if you have everything?
I gave my time.
I learned [some of] his favorite songs. In guitar. He would smile every time I play. And he would sing. I love it when he sings. He is the kind of a singer, who isn't a singer [technically], but is a singer [by heart]. He had his eyes closed, and his lips curled into a smile. He really loved music. His head was swaying. And there would be childhood memories, which I guess was his. It would play, but not really, but I was able to look at them by looking at him.
Time spent, love earned.
I have to quote this song, "I'm just a living legacy / To the leader of the band." There's no other way to translate it; I gave him respect.
...
What would you give, if you can have anything, if you have everything?
I was his baby girl.
I decided to always be at his side. He was drinking. I was on his lap. He was delivering packages. I sort of delivered some, too. He was sleeping, I hugged him tight. He wasn't home yet? I slept outside, crouched on the ground, waiting. He had a big fight with mom; it was his fault. But when he asked, I stayed.
I was his baby girl.
I became his favorite. I became his life. I was his happiness.
...
What would you give, if you can have anything, if you have everything?
My family, financially, was below average, above rats. We were poor. For that very reason, some dreams were dreamed. We had all things money can't buy; only thing left to hope for was a better life or living. I have to correct you before you even read this; they weren't stupid, nor shallow, nor materialistic, nor earthly because of these.
They had hoped for a better house.
We were living in a room, all five of us, in which the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms were one. we didn't have a bathroom/C.R. We were using my aunt's to shower, to pee-pee, or to poo-poo.
The man hoped for a better motorcycle.
It was his life; It was his living. He was a messenger. Still is. And believe it or not, he's using the same motorcycle 24 years ago. Yes, you read that right. One year freakingly older than me. It's no surprise, that the thing is close to retiring. My dad just can't let it go, but if he could, it would.
These were just some of their dreams. But these became my motivation. My push. My drive.
...
What would you give, if you can have anything, if you have everything?
I gave them my word.
I promised to give them a taste of 'better life'.
I swore.
...
My family, financially, was below average, above rats. We were poor. But we were happy, and tough, and bonded. We loved each other. We love each other. I love them to death. More than anything.
...
What would you give, if you can have anything, if you have everything?
I haven't crossed out a single thing on his wish list.
...
What would you give, if you can have anything, if you have everything?
These are what I ask for every night when I pray to God.
Time. More years on their lives. To stay with me until the time that I can finally make their dreams come true.
Patience. To wait for more. Because it will come. To
Love. To let them know I wish for nothing but their happiness. To let them know I am still keeping and working on my promise.
Happiness. To keep moving forward.
Faith. To always be happy. And content. To find inner peace. To always trust God. To never lose God. To always have faith.
So... What would you give, if you can have anything, if you have everything? Well...
Truth Thursdays exists to connect people through writing. To initiate something honest, thoughtful and meaningful.
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