By Virginia Jasmin Pasalo

 

WHEN I think of the many things I have left undone, I am overwhelmed. For example, if I die or get incapacitated tomorrow, what are the most likely things I want to focus on doing now? Often, I find that the things I want to focus on can’t be managed in a day, or takes the journey of a lifetime.

Even so, in the face of the reality of our existence, daring to live, moment by moment, is a choice. Not choosing to do anything is also a choice. Last week, I chose to proceed with my choices in a normal way.

First, I dropped by Dagupan City to pay property taxes I haven’t paid for three years. Doing this was easy with the help of Gwen Tan, who picked me up from Victory Liner and accompanied me to the temporary modular offices made from shipping containers at the Dagupan City Museum. The offices had been moved due to the construction of the new Dagupan City Hall, which up to now, is rising slowly, as with all projects whose continuance is hampered by budgetary constraints and hints of political division. The processing of payment was pretty quick, and I was told to get a gift for paying my taxes. I got a mug and expressed my gratitude for the speed and efficiency of doing business in this city. As I walked out, Gwen was holding the folder which I forgot on top of the chair where I sat at the counter.

Then we proceeded to visit Armi Bangsal-Lorica at her sister Elvie’s house in Binmaley, as per information we received from Catherine Velasco, who was supposed to join us, but we forgot and remembered only when we reached her house. We were told Armi still lives in Lingayen but will soon move at the end of the month. We drove to Lingayen, sharing stories of ourselves, those dear to us, and events that perplexed our lives.

We forgot to bring anything for Armi, as always, but ourselves. To her, our presence was enough. She cried upon seeing us.

“May 13, I did not forget your birthday, but I have no way no greet you. I’m stuck in this chair and I have no mobile phone. Where is my mobile phone? You promised to give me one.”

I did promise her a mobile phone on my last visit a month ago, since she was deprived of one as soon as she started her recovery process two or three years back. I am not sure if withholding access to communication helped her recover, to reduce her stress from calls. In any case, according to the nurse-caregiver, she will be given a mobile phone by her sister, when she moves in with her. The phone I promised is the old one, as I am getting a free unit for renewing my account at Globe on June 29. Still holding me by the arm, she reiterates:

“You promised me a mobile phone.”

It is important to deliver what we promised, as important as making time to bond with friends, especially during these times, when there are certainties we must deal with, and the possibility of another time may not present itself.

Then I thought of Cathy Velasco, who was supposed to be with us, but we forgot.  We asked her if she is free for a meet-up, but she already had lunch. Imagine, I also forgot the file folder of the property whose taxes I paid for. It is a fact we forget, and we trust that our lapses are understood by our closest friends. We just hope that the things we forget next time are not life-threatening.

This I did not forget: Off to Baguio City to bond with some more friends and bathe my body with the clouds.

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