When their mother died in 2015, Angelique and Aubrey matured overnight. It was their first experience of death in the immediate family, and they were, suddenly, no longer the little girls I used to know. Angelique was in junior year at university at the time, Aubrey in tenth grade and soon celebrating her birthday. Their world suddenly changed, and so did mine, for I took sole custody of them, which was the best possible arrangement. I never imagined that my daughter-in-law Ivy would leave us long before her prime.
I took over the reins of our household. I made no plans of taking in any outsider, male or female, to help me. I taught Angelique and Aubrey to be strong-willed and to never depend on others, especially men. Despite all the women's movements since the 70s I still perceived everything around us as a man's world. They applied for passports on their own, traveled abroad unescorted, and repainted and redecorated their own bedrooms, among other things. Through the assistance of City Hall I had my Last Will And Testament drawn and executed, leaving my estate and all of my possessions in their names.
I thought that being a single grandparent and parent would be difficult, but I soon discovered that I was only too glad to shun visitors and cease going out with friends. It gave me more time to write and to paint. Angelique graduated with a BS degree in Marketing Administration and is currently enrolled in law school. Aubrey graduated with a BS degree in Psychology this month. I was at that time in my life and my retirement when I needed nothing more and no one else for myself, and my true joy was seeing my grandchildren happy.
I am a single parent to my younger son Chito too. I feel, in addition, that, where he is, outside the main island of Luzon, he has three spirit guides, among them my father and his elder brother Nelson. Sales from my antiques, collections, and paintings that Angelique and Aubrey decide to dispose of are to be transferred to Chito, where he lives, after my demise.
As to my books on magic, wands, talismans, shamanic implements, card decks, and the like, I already began passing them on to selected members of the Spirit Questors since the day I turned 70.
Yes, I turned 70 this year and know that I may have only a few more years to live. My only projects now are the completion of my 40-painting project and my 40 volumes of collected works in cyberspace. It matters little to me, though, whether I complete them or not. I am already one, absolutely fulfilled man. Because, in the last analysis, the successful artist is he who provided well for his family.
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