Kamusta or Welcome all!
[Impromptu: And, thank you for having me here tonight.]
My name is ‘Fluffy’ (or Lyn by my family or Flynn by others).
For those who don’t already know, I am the older sister by three years of ‘Mister’ (the handsome groom) and sister in law of his the lovely bride, ‘Missus’. Also, on my father’s side, I am the eldest granddaughter of nine girls; while my brother is the oldest grandson of three boys. Our grandmother is unable to make tonight’s event.
This part of the program has not been rehearsed or planned and it would be my first ‘prepared’ speech made in public on this day – my brother’s wedding. I’m not here to impress anyone with my presentation. But rather this is my chance to share some deep thoughts from my simple mind behind a meaning of love between two people.
So for anyone who is a professional writer or critique out there in the audience tonight, prepare to be dazzled by my fluffy material.
And thank you for bearing with me for awhile… Let’s begin.
For those into word definition of ‘Love’: I have pulled up the following meaning online.
Love is (and I quote from the first line via dictionary.com):
A profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.
[Impromptu: I don’t know about everyone, but do you feel the love between ‘Mister’ and ‘Missus’ sitting together at the table? Now, I’d like to ask the couple, do both of you feel profound tender, passionate affection for each other? Yes or no. Good! Then you are in love.]
Other meanings of love could be described as the following illustrations:
The warm fuzzy feeling of butterflies in the stomach, the sounds of happiness emanating from beloved pets like our parakeets, or a reunion with a high school or college sweetheart.
And, of course, who doesn’t know the timeless act of making love between the sheets and the results of producing beautiful babies.
[Impromptu: Again, I’d like to request the couple to please get busy as soon as possible; so that I could hear the pitter-patters of happy little feet from my future nieces and nephews!]
Well, here is my definition of love:
Hmm: Over the years my personal definition of love has taken on a more philosophical bent. No longer do I see happy faces smiling back at the cameras of still-life or videos of action for later viewing and sharing with family and friends.
But rather, I see love as something more profound, something deeper and that which cannot be expressed in mere words and deeds alone.
Perhaps, love could be defined as having good memories: remembering the ones you love and the precious moments shared together.
To me, this is what defines love – the ability for a person to recognize others for what they are at any the moment and what they truly represent at heart.
Think for a moment. Can you imagine loving someone who doesn’t remember loving you in the first place? I believe that would be an intolerable experience for the rest of one’s life.
Anyway, this brings to my mind a story not too long ago. It was a show on ABC Family. One night, my parents and I were watching the movie presentation about an old man telling a story of how two people fell in love with each other.
Two stories unfolded and switched back and forth between: his present life of telling the love story to his wife and the past life of dealing with the ups and downs of the lovers’ relationship together.
It was the old man’s hope that his wife would remember the story. For you see, the love story was really about him and her. The sad part to this story was that the wife couldn’t remember those past years with her husband.
She would suddenly become fearful of her location at the home and screamed out loud, not realizing that the stranger in front of her was her husband. The attendants and doctors had to come in to help her out, by the way.
The wife had senility and lived in a nursing home for the rest of her life. Her husband simply could not and would not leave her side. And even though he wasn’t ‘qualified’ as a resident, he actually admitted himself to live in the same nursing home with her.
To me, this fine example shows an undying commitment and dedication of a person staying close to the side of a loved one, at all times.
During the brief moments that the wife could recognize and acknowledge her husband, they danced cheek to cheek and hummed a few songs together. And both cherished each other all over again as if long lost friends were meeting each other for the first time.
Then one night the husband made his way into the bedroom where his wife lay sleeping. It was at this time that she remembered him well enough to say a few words of endearment. As both lay side by side, holding hands, they closed their eyes to sleep at night and never woke up the following morning.
Of course, ‘Mister’ and ‘Missus’ popped over our home to watch halfway through the show with us. It was a very heartfelt story for me and I couldn’t stop shedding tears. Something touched my soul that night. I won’t forget and to this day I cry whenever I remember this story.
That night was also a time of reflection: to all five of us and how our journey is meant to be spent together not only as family members but as fellow friends during good times and bad.
Speaking of bad times, ‘Mister’, sometimes you are a bit (taran-tado) or naughty and drive your family (loco-loco) or crazy. Your verbiage sometimes offends the most sensitive listeners, like your parents, whose expressed opinions were meant for your own good. You will know when you have children of your own. For whose parents won’t want the best for their children?
I know our parents did the best they could to raise the both of us properly. I know that their hard work and perseverance has put the life’s essentials of food on the table, a roof over our heads and clothes to keep us warm. Anything beyond these essentials hurt them for they know how difficult money can come by. I know our parents have and will always love the both of us despite our differences. I know in my heart they could never abandon us, you, my brother, me or anyone in the most need of help.
Further, despite the rough and tumble transition from your former family unit into your new set and regardless of what has been done and said in the past under old rules, going forward let’s start with a new set of rules and learn to love each other more while our memories are still intact. Let’s us unify our families not by blood only but by the spirit that brought us all together.
This is how I would like to envision any successful marriage: That both parties (especially between a husband and wife) must accept the fact that no side is absolutely correct in all matters at hand. There really is no attitude of: ‘I’m right and you’re wrong’. Only the couples involved in life’s drama could work out their own problems, well, to almost perfection. Only time will tell if we really forgive each other for any hurt we may have caused each other. Only time will tell if we could forget the past. Only we could make sure of that now.
‘Mister’, you will always be my little brother, an old soul without ill-will. I really don’t remember much from the past except by a few photos and videos. But what will really stick in my mind is the recent discovery of how closely you resemble a sweet little squirrel with its tufted up hair from an oil painting when compared to one of your photos as a baby smiling. You always smiled. I always pouted. You always laughed. I still pouted. It’s all because you were cute as a button! And I couldn’t compete with a happy boy than and I certainly cannot compete with you now that you are much older!
I was once taller than you.
Now that you are taller than me, you exceeded my expectations, not in height but in your life, not just of having a stable job, working car, a new house but having thoughtful friends and loving family here tonight.
I was once the meaner and bossier sibling during our childhood together.
Now that you are old enough to make your own decisions, you are the boss of your life.
‘Mister’, you have taught me lessons about living for the here and now and without worry or fear about the future or what other people might say about my value systems. And I thank you.
In the best of my Tagalog: I have a few more thoughts to say to you.
Hindi ako mga kali-moo-tang ang ka-pa-tid ko.
I cannot forget my sibling.
Ha-wag mga ta-kot sa akin.
Don’t be afraid me.
Hindi ako mga iwanin mo.
I will not leave you alone.
Now that you, my dear brother, are married with your new love, you will no longer be able to attract the young, the old, the gals, and yes, even the guys.
And to ‘Missus’, I look forward to being a part of your life. I welcome you and your family to ours and I am grateful that you have the patience and tolerance to take care of my brother.
I’d like to wish both of you ‘Mister’ and ‘Missus’ a happy and wonderful life together.
Mina-mahal kita (I love you), Flynn.
In conclusion, I’d like to offer a closing message to those here tonight at this blessed wedding event. To everyone willing to listen with open minds and pure hearts, I have a short but insightful poem to share:
Let’s not forget but remember love.
As below and the heaven’s above.
Touching hearts in special ways:
Yet meaningful like sunny days.
Let’s not forget but always pray.
Not to loose our minds’ this way.
Our bodies may go but not our souls.
May love and understanding be our goals!
Created on 12-25-2008 04:14PM.
Revised on12-25-2008 05:50PM.
Revised on12-25-2008 07:47PM.
Copyright © 2008 by Fluffy von der Flynn. All rights reserved.
