THE DIARY GAME | 03.08.2020 | DAY 3: Video Call

_{Teaching our grandfather how to do finger heart.}

I never had a chance to celebrate my birthday with my grandfather — my father's father — nor celebrating his birthday together. My mother told me I met my grandpa when I was four or five years old. I was a little kid, and I can't remember his face nor memory with him. Hence, it was good as I didn't meet him at all. But, I met him when I was 17 years old. When he met me, he was teary-eyed. I knew it was tears of joy. I promise him to come back on his birthday, but I broke my promise. First was because of school, next was because of work, and this year is because of the pandemic.

A week before his birthday, I told my Papa that he should bring along Lolo so we can video call. My father's hometown is a very secluded area. They need to travel for 30 minutes on a rough road and then climb to a hill to have a phone signal. Or, they can have another 10 minutes of travel to reach the area where there is a telecommunication tower.

My father is in Zamboanga del Sur right now; my mother and sibs are in Lanao del Norte, and I am in Cebu City. Video calls will depend upon the availability of my father since he needs traveling to catch a phone signal.

So my father called me early in the morning. He gave the earphones to my grandpa, so we can talk. I sang a birthday song for him the moment I heard his voice. I asked what was the food they are preparing. We talked for several minutes then my father ended the call. He needed to call my mother and my siblings, so they can greet as well. After a few minutes, my mother initiated a conference video call. We took pictures of us together like a family picture—a blurry one, though.

_{Family Picture}

I hope that someday when this pandemic is over, we can celebrate birthdays and holidays together. I spent my Christmas last year and New Year away from home. It was a first. I am expecting this year will be the second but hopefully, I can go home next year.