A family bonding is the most righteous way to take a break, as well as the most recharging outlet when you need it the most. There is a sense of belongingness and love when we spend time with our loved ones, and peace, calm, and joy come after. The only thing we should ask is how we can spend time with our family. Through a seaside break? Through a dinner out? Or through a simple movie night in your comfortable homes? Congrats, life takes care of the answer because it gives you plenty of ways to have one.
For us, in our family, a visit to our relatives in another village is the gateway to a good bonding. The fusion between families creates this love and enjoyment we feel only when we see each other in either house. Planning what to eat, what to do, and where it will happen is just the first step.
Today, we had a simple family bonding in my auntie’s house in the village of Punta. We had a "lamaw," a Cebuano term for using refreshing fruits such as papaya or coconut to make a drink sweetened with condensed milk and biscuits, with ice and softdrinks that make it cool. "Lamaw" has been part of our lives in the province of Cebu ever since I was a child. Drinking lamaw is the most perfect refreshment I have ever had. It captures not only my best drinking experience but also the family bonding, the friendship, and the love I associate with it.
It was 10 in the morning when we arrived at my auntie’s house. My mother, together with my siblings, met my long-not-seen relatives because life became busy, and even if we live 20 minutes away from each other, bonding is still impossible to happen. But life always makes a way for us to experience love and joy again, so here we were, in one place to feel home again. My auntie and uncle were on leave so it was a lucky day for us to meet.
We bought coconuts in the neighbourhood of my auntie’s place, and the owner was just a friend to us. We paid at least 2 dollars for seven coconuts, cheap because my cousin was the one who climbed the tall tree. It was too tall, so the price charged to us was lesser.
Here we were, getting the meat from the coconut, which we would use as the main ingredient for our drink. The coconut water inside was poured first into our container because it would add a natural taste to our drink, and no water was added except the ice melting inside. Scraping the meat takes time and patience, but most of the time the process is smooth, especially when the meat is still ripe.
Then, when everything was done, we put the condensed milk, biscuits, and ice into the container. We just let it sit for at least fifteen minutes before drinking, just the right time when our food for lunch was cooked and prepared. The coconut drink served as our refreshment.
We talked at the simple table outside the house, which obviously showed we missed each other so much. My two nieces were quite hesitant to talk with my uncle and auntie since this was the first time they met them. But eventually, they were able to carry my niece comfortably, although from time to time, the little one cried for help, which made us laugh.
The remaining hours were spent talking at the table and then going to another spot to find a windy area to sleep and converse about what happened in our lives. In scenarios like this, I do not often talk; in fact, I just listen to the elders because I love their sense of humor. It makes me laugh hard and makes my day brighter. The old folks really do know where to tickle me. The day was brighter than I could imagine, brighter because of my family and the moment of being with them—just watching their laughs, the way they talk with each other, and the company itself. I do not know how to say this, but it is lovely when you are with people who matter to you.
There was nothing grand in our gathering. No expensive meals, only chicken soup, no planned itinerary, no pressure to impress other people. Just the ordinary scene of being with family. And maybe that is what makes it special. Life may keep pulling us into different directions, but moments like this remind us where we return, where we are known, and where we are loved without question. We headed home carrying the warmth of laughter and the sweetness of lamaw on our tongues, I realized that sometimes, a day with family is the closest thing to rest that life can offer.