Dickson's Birthday

Photo taken on Monday, March 14, 2005, at Swiss Chalet Chicken & Ribs in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada: The Rana Family—children, Racquelle, Jordan, and Marissa; and the parents, Janet and Dickson

Cousin Mike and wife, Marivic, and children, Amber and Julie, were on a trip to Disneyworld, Orlando, Florida, United States, in the week of March 10 through 17, leaving practically only Grandfather and I at home. The children's nanny, Jenny, was working part-time at a mall.

Saturday afternoon, Tita Mely and Tito Mer called, informing that they'd pick us up if we wanted to go with them and attend the 7 p.m. mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. To break the routine, I said yes despite my hesitation. They dropped by again the next day, with crabs to cook for dinner—Grandfather's favorite.

Monday afternoon, around 5:30, I was about to reheat the lamb's-tongue mechado that I cooked for dinner when the phone rang.

"Hi, aLfie. Janet here.... Would you and Papa like to join us at dinner? Today's Dickson's birthday...."

"Yeah, I know. I saw it on Friendster. Oh, wait, I'll ask Papa if he's already feeling okay, because this morning he said he was dizzy."

"Okay, just call me on the cellphone. Bye."

Obviously bored and restless, Grandfather's eyes lit up when I told him that Dickson was inviting us to his birthday dinner.

At around 6:30, Dickson arrived...and off we went to Swiss Chalet Chicken & Ribs in Surrey, where Janet and their children—Racquelle, Marissa, and Jordan—were already waiting.

Dickson and Janet, Mike and Marivic's best friends, have always been kind to us. They never forget to invite us when there's an important occasion. They and their children are also always present every time there's an occasion at the house.