See You Soon Mom & Dad! I Miss You :_(

Mom and dad returned to Singapore on Wednesday. The farewell at the airport was heartbreaking. Emily was very sad.

They had a great time here. Lots of quality time with their grandkids. San Antonio was fun and they had a blast at Sea World.

Emily has a bond with my parents (especially mom) that transcends space and time.

Mom and dad are awesome grandparents. They were very active in Emily's life. They taught her words, songs, how to use gadgets, values, etc...

Mom and dad are a great influence on Emily. Many times, it seems like Emily is closer to my parents than she is to us.

They were very active and interactive with Chloe too. Chloe (10 months old) took to them very quickly and even could call my mom "nai nai" (grandma) and my dad "yeh yeh" (grandpa) after a week plus.

Jen and I like it here in the US but fear that the kids will lack nurturing grandparents. Jen feels that the kids will have better role models in my parents.

Jen's parents are nice and generous people, but they are just not very good grandparents. I'm not being bias. Jen has voiced her disappointment in her parents to me many times. She even said they were not very nurturing as parents.

This has been a factor in our many discussions to return to Singapore. Having nurturing and interactive grandparents is very important to us.

This is not a knock at my in-laws. Being active and nurturing is just not in their DNA.

Our only consolation is Sherry (Jen's sister). Sherry is great aunt. She truly cares for the kids and is very active in their lives.

The kids love her and I'm sure they will develop a bond eventually.

I miss the true happiness that I see in Emily when she's with my parents. I wish Chloe could experience the same unconditional love and nurturing as Emily.

I feel guilty and unfilial for moving to the US. I feel like I have taken away from Emily people who truly love and care for her. I feel sad that Chloe will not experience the kind of nurturing grandparents that Emily had.

Did I make the right decision to move? I have often revisited the reasons for my decision (which would be too long for this already long post).

Please take some time to listen to both the Tagalog and Englsih versions of Anak by Freddie Aguilar. It stirs a lot of emotions in me and hopefully you will enjoy them both.

Original Tagalog

Anak - Freddie Aguilar - music on

English

Anak (English Version) - Freddie Aguilar