Ever since my father stepped past middle age, he had become more sentimental and a bit childlike. If he really wants something, he makes sure he gets it even if he throws rational views out of the window. He gets what he wants with so much urgency and with an extreme level of concentration. He is now known to do things that we, his kids, sometimes marvel at. He's not going crazy, but he's just being true, spontaneous and passionate about things.
One of the things he is passionate about are Christmas lights. He wasn't like this before. But for the past few years, as early as November, he wants different kinds of lights engulfing our house. He doesn't appreciate color coding, themes and synchronicity. He said it's very limiting. He wants more lights and more color. For us kids, it looks like chaos with a high electric bill. For him, it's art. Where does my mom stand in this? She knows better than to argue. He gets a little bit sensitive when it comes to his Christmas lights and we would never hear the end of it. Before he pulls out his litany on how he wants us to live our lives, we just chose to let him be.
As soon as the Christmas boxes were pulled out from the attic and an electrician was hired ,we had to instill the tone of simplicity. We wanted him to tame down the lights a bit. We wanted him to be aware of the difference between a festive house and a fun pub house.
Upon hearing our kind and cushioned remarks, my father kept quiet. We didn't know if he was offended. But apparently he wasn't listening to us. That afternoon, he went to Binondo with the driver to pick up new lights. We prepared for the worst.
For two days the electrician labored. And I came home tonight to a finish product.
I wanted to complain about the bushes. I don't think lights are needed since we have colorful capiz decors already. I love the vertical lights in palm trees that look like rain. It reminds me of the one I saw in Alabang. I deeply wanted to share my opinions but I saw my dad very pleased during dinner.
"Ang ganda ng mga ilaw, anak noh? Makulay." (The lights are beautiful, right? Very colorful)
How can you say no to a grown-up's festive mood? As a daughter and just because it's Christmas, my thoughts on these lights don't really matter as long as he's happy. I must give him credit. He toned it down a bit. So without hesitation, I said "Oo. Maganda nga, pa."
One of the things he is passionate about are Christmas lights. He wasn't like this before. But for the past few years, as early as November, he wants different kinds of lights engulfing our house. He doesn't appreciate color coding, themes and synchronicity. He said it's very limiting. He wants more lights and more color. For us kids, it looks like chaos with a high electric bill. For him, it's art. Where does my mom stand in this? She knows better than to argue. He gets a little bit sensitive when it comes to his Christmas lights and we would never hear the end of it. Before he pulls out his litany on how he wants us to live our lives, we just chose to let him be.
As soon as the Christmas boxes were pulled out from the attic and an electrician was hired ,we had to instill the tone of simplicity. We wanted him to tame down the lights a bit. We wanted him to be aware of the difference between a festive house and a fun pub house.
Upon hearing our kind and cushioned remarks, my father kept quiet. We didn't know if he was offended. But apparently he wasn't listening to us. That afternoon, he went to Binondo with the driver to pick up new lights. We prepared for the worst.
For two days the electrician labored. And I came home tonight to a finish product.
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| It's actually better in person. I'm at a bad angle and with a crappy camera. |
I wanted to complain about the bushes. I don't think lights are needed since we have colorful capiz decors already. I love the vertical lights in palm trees that look like rain. It reminds me of the one I saw in Alabang. I deeply wanted to share my opinions but I saw my dad very pleased during dinner.
"Ang ganda ng mga ilaw, anak noh? Makulay." (The lights are beautiful, right? Very colorful)
How can you say no to a grown-up's festive mood? As a daughter and just because it's Christmas, my thoughts on these lights don't really matter as long as he's happy. I must give him credit. He toned it down a bit. So without hesitation, I said "Oo. Maganda nga, pa."
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