“Clearing, Dancing, Reminiscing, Cheering”

Day 41, #2026bigyearproject

Super Bowl Sunday was a hoot and a holler at our home!

My hubby is a delighted Seahawks fan. He watched his favorite team while wearing his trusty blue cap for luck.

I am not an avid football watcher, but I got a kick out of seeing my beau so happy..

During all four quarters, I organized the paperwork and mementos from both my parents’ estates. It was cathartic to move files, records, bits, and bobs out of plastic bins and into a file cabinet. I got a bit misty when I looked through the photos they kept in their wallets. My daughter was kept close to their hearts in pockets and purses.

This felt like a salute and farewell. I have put off doing this task because it felt like the end of an era. After I finished, I accepted their absence and realized that they are only as far as a fond thought.

I treasure oddities. I found an artifact from the previous century: a file folder with the misspelled name “Sharon Tabyoyong”. It must have been from the school years before I was a high school sophomore. Once we moved to a suburban area, I was bold enough to declare my given name proudly. A Kindergarten teacher had told me to use my middle name instead of Jo-Jo. Perhaps she was trying to shield me from the teasing of my classmates. The result was that I felt ashamed and embarrassed to reveal my given name. I am so proud of my teenaged self for having the confidence to announce my true identity.

In the spirit of being proud of my roots, I danced to the glorious Halftime Show that Bad Bunny presented! What an incredible performance. I read about the symbolism, themes, and guest stars afterward. While it filled our living room with energy, color, fantastic music, a new world opened up.

The victory was sweet. Well done, Seahawks!

I symbolically laid my parents to rest, thanking them for having the courage and endurance to bring our family to a country thousands of miles away from where they were born. Like tenacious orchids, they found a spot to flourish.

I danced and sang and let joy fill my soul on a wintry day in this adopted homeland.

#2026bigyearproject