Dear Akielle 2011,
My name is Akielle, and I am writing from the year 2021. I am writing from a time where the whole world is still battling an invisible foe – a great pandemic that terrorized humanity since the end of 2019.
Numerous lives were lost to this pandemic and possibly many more will still be. Although countless measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the virus, it seems that it is not enough.
However, if there is one lesson I have gained from this ongoing battle, it is to never take things for granted ever again. And that is the advice I want to give you, my younger self.
Never take things for granted.
You will never understand the warmth of a hug until you are forced to stay six feet away from each other.
You will never understand how priceless toilet paper can be until you are forced to stand in line at the supermarket as early as 5 a.m. to buy one.
You will never understand how precious the air you breathe is until you are forced to wear a mask for most of the day wherever you go.
You will never appreciate the importance of proper handwashing until you realize that that simple act may save your life or another’s.
You will never understand the value of the grocery workers, the sanitary staff, the delivery people, the farmers, the health workers, and the rest of the frontliners until you rely on them for your very life.
You will never understand loss until you have experienced it.
Believe me, it will happen, and it won’t even be due to the pandemic.
You will feel the pain of loss and it will be heart-wrenching. It will feel like it will never pass, but it will. I know because I am you and I have lived through it and there will be better days ahead.
With that being said, I want you to spend time as much as possible with Mama and Papa.
Time is short so enjoy every moment with them.
If Papa is trying to teach you how to jump-start a car, pay attention as Papa seldom gives lessons, and when he does, it is surely something you will need in life.
If he offers to let you drive, do it! You will need all the driving lessons you can get.
If you see Mama gardening, join her as a way of spending quality time with her.
If Mama needs to go to the market, go with her, and help her carry stuff.
If either Papa or Mama is cooking, help out – trust me, you will need cooking skills.
If they need help with watching the store, call Shi-chan so both of you can watch the store, lol!
Teach them how to use an App but be patient like how they were patient with you when you were a child.
Travel!
You three have passports, so use them!
See as much of the world as you can without breaking the bank. I know your current financial state, so actively search for travel promos and read up on blogs or ask around on the best ways to travel on a budget.
Or just go on a road trip. The point is to take them to as many beautiful places as you can.
Try new restaurants!
If the restaurant is fancy, don’t let Mama know about the price of each item on the menu or she won’t appreciate it.
Sing karaoke together or play board games as you used to when you were a kid.
Take many pictures and put them in an album. Not the Facebook album, but a physical one.
Frame the best photos and hang them on the wall!
Hug and Kiss them when you wake up in the morning and before going to bed.
Always go to church together.
Tell them “I love you” at least once a day. Say “Sorry” whenever you do something wrong. And say “Thank You” because you can never repay what Mama and Papa did for you so the least you could do is thank them…before it’s too late.
Never take them for granted. They’re the only parents you have so love them each day like it’s their last.
And remember, you are STRONG, you are LOVED, you are NOT ALONE. So whatever trial you face, invisible foe or not, you will overcome it and better days will always be ahead.
I love you!
-Akielle 2021.
I invite 