At the beginning of May, my 3 grandsons Azrael, Raziel & Manuel Uziel began a countdown.  Marked on the calendar in our dining area were the 13 days left until their mom’s visit at geannhomegarden to fetch them.  Every morning they will shout “Only 13 days more.”  A few days later, “Only 8.”  Their eagerness started to rub off on me, and I began to keep track as well.  “Just 1 day more, daddy Ge.”  I grin, “yes I know.”

Finally, our daughter and her eldest son arrived last night for the 3 boys and spend the night with us; my 3 grandsons joyfully screaming & jumping till midnight.  Today, after a happy lunch and refreshing shower, my wife & I escort them by the gate where their car was parked.  We take photos of our daughter and her kids before they boarded the car.

Surprisingly, Manuel Uziel, 7 years old and the youngest of the 4 boys expressed himself with a tender smile: “Daddy Ge, Mama Ann, miss ko na po kayo.”   As I felt he expressed it profoundly from his child’s heart it brought tears to my eyes.  And goose pimples spread over me.  It reminds me that Manuel Uziel became familiar with our ways and faith since he was 8 months.  And children imitate of what they see in their elders - words & deeds.  (Deuteronomy 6:7   “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

Thank you to our daughter & his hubby for sharing their beautiful sons' summer vacation with us.