“How do I squeeze in things that are of value to me in two luggages - each of which allowing only 23 kilos?” Ah. The dilemma of The Filipino Diaspora. . I stared at the piles of books, and pondered as to how do I sort out which ones to bring, and which ones to leave behind. Eat, Pray, Love - check. The Little Prince - check. The Kite Runner I bought from La Belle Aurore for only PhP30 - a big check! (But I had unluckily forgotten it.) . The Arrow with a Heart Pierced Through Him - this hit hard. Along with the books, the trekking gears, and the journals and whatnots that she gave me as occasional gifts and pasalubongs. Again I ask, “How do I fit everything in?”. The thing is, if you love so much in one place, you are probably going to have to take with you every single thing that aids the memory map of home. You might have to concede to the Konmari Method later on. . Three years later in a different continent, I look back and ask myself the same question, how did I fit everything in? The answer is I. Could. Not. . However, there is a different kind of luggage we all have. It is minuscule but can hold everything that is heavy, and would still be light after all. It is called the HEART, and it never fails to amaze me. . I take a peek into the crevices of mine from time to time, and eventually find it full of wisdom from people I look up to. Tangible things, along with time, are fleeting. But the impalpable ones, this well of love, no matter how many kilometers far away I am from my constants, are inside of me. . This home is inside of me. . Belated happy birthday to one of the beacons of my home, my pusher, my favorite Cancer☺️ (at Grand Central Terminal)
