Friday, April 11, 2008

BACK TO THE AGING LION’S FAVORITE HUNTIING GROUND

Brethren:

On Wednesday April 16, the lion tamer holding the end of a leash on her right hand that at the other end is attached to the neck of her aging pet, will board the Philippine Airlines officially to take him to two medical experts for his scheduled check-up.

The first is an endocrinologist-niece who will diagnose if his vital organs can still stand the rigors of father time with his heart not yet sputtering, while the second is his kidney specialist-niece who will endeavor to find out if his kidneys can still avoid dialysis treatment and thus postpone his trip to kingdom come.

More importantly, they will also visit their three full-grown cubs who now have two offspring each for their own, especially the youngest grandkid whose features is the spitting image of his playful granddad!

As his youngest cub will be initiated later today (April 12), to the mysteries of the Craft, the aging lion daydreams of seeing him raised to the sublime degree and hopefully expects it to materialize on June 14, a Saturday, which is also the birthday of his only sister.

That therefore means he daydreams to be around at least a day after that date to savor its significance, to see him on the checkered floor being manhandled (?! this term should appropriately be animal-handled) by the three ruffians and when the ceremony is completed, be able to execute the strong grip of the lion’s paw, thus formally welcoming his youngest cub as a full grown member of the Craft. (He is a Senior DeMolay, remember?)

Too bad that at his present condition, his Dad could not even pinch him on his behind while the ceremony is going on, nor even trip him with his left foot; for how can he possibly do that with only one serviceable leg on hand? (Ay mali, dapat sa phrase na ito, “on foot!” hindi “on hand!!”)

But when that happens, a slight adjustment at name calling is needed. Since his elder brother is now called “Brod” by the aging cat, that endearing word, by necessity will be renamed “Bro1” and the soon-to-be-raised brod be called “Bro2”.

Much like Bro1, Bro2, Brohaha!!

Expect a lull in transmission of emails from hereon, for at the metropolis the aging cat can hardly manage to get himself in front of a monitor. Which means that the latest he can resume tinkering with the computer keys will be upon his return to his den sometime after June 14. And if his passion for sending emails is finally disrupted, it can only signify that the Grim Ripper has finally succeeded in pushing him to the Great Beyond!

And why has his writing style turned satirical? Well, he realized it enables him to ignore the pain, whether deadening, searing, prickling, tingling or stabbing, that he often have to bear at times making him during the night wonder whether the morrow is still worth craving for, because of neuropathy and the other ailments caused by this dreaded disease these medical experts call diabetes.

Definitely more potent than Ponstan Dolfenol, and Alaxan, the medicine that is advertised by the pambansang kamao that we all call Manny Pacquiao.

It also enables him to stubbornly fight the odds day to day, hoping like a losing chess player that he can still manage to duck the slings and arrows that the Grim Ripper hurls at him, although fully aware that sooner than later, he will be caught off guard, and allow the GAOTU’s dreaded messenger to finally say “Check mate!”

As a parting shot, if it cannot be your pleasure to wish the aging cat “Good luck”, you can, by reverse logic, just mumble the colloquial phrase

“Buti nga, GAGO KA NAMAN TALAGA’!”

Leon

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dad,

Have a pleasant trip coming here and hopefully, we'll see each other sometime after your arrival. Bro Larry is presently in Poland but am sure we'd be delighted to attend Bro2's raising (in Quezon City?) if circumstances will permit.

Pls. give me your updated mobile phone number. You gave me several last time.

Warmest regards,

Bro Tony

Anonymous said...

Jun,

In a couple of days you will be on your way to the City. We wish you and Lorma a nice, smooth and pleasant journey. We are very confident that this trip will be fruitful since it will be more of a family reunion with the kids and grandchildren. Furthermore, the hospital and physicians who are directly taking care of you are only minutes away. For sure, whatever medical decisions they will make will be at your best interest, since they are your relatives - blood is thicker that water. " Mayroon pagmamalasakit."

Extend our congratulations to Ivan's induction to the Craft. You have to be very proud parents knowing that your kids are following your footsteps.

I am aware that your computer will be sleeping for a while. I will recognize then, when you will be back in Guindulman. Good luck.

Take good care of your health.
Regards to Lorma.

Tante