Family Three | 2006

Look closely and you'll see another head popping up from under the sheets. She's a little girl named Ayaka. She's actually my wife's cousin from the land of the rising sun. She's been with us when she was about 5 years old and up until Jakjak was born.

We became her parents while she was with us. We took care of her like she was our own. We had good times together. And she was a blessing to us because having her prepared us for the storm that was to come. That storm had a name. And it's name is 'Jakjak'. And sometimes, this storm is more than a storm, he can turn into a hurricane from time to time. And when worse comes to worst, it's like a tsunami!

But it's fine. Because Aya was the same. In fact, they are so alike that Jakjak seems to have taken after her 'ate' (big sister). He's gotten her charm, her big-bigheartedness, her joyous nature and her kind disposition. It was like we drafted Jakjak from Ayaka. It was one of the best things that Jakjak got.

Those days are gone now. Ayaka has gone back to her parents. And our family of four, is now a family of three. Still, the memories are more than enough to make us smile and imagine our lives if she still lived with us as Jakjak's ate.