A few days before my grandfather's (mother's side) birthday, the family decided to have lunch at my grandparents' house.
Before I go on telling the story, allow me to provide a little context of the family. My grandfather (we call him Papi) is a devoted Catholic. My mom became a Christian through my dad a few months before they were married and basically, Papi hated that. Let's just say the grandchildren had some emotion impact on the grandparents that we were included on gatherings. He still doesn't like my dad as much though. Anyway...
We were at the dining table. My mother announced that I just got a job this week. Without looking at me, Papi asked me where and what kind of job I would be doing. I told him I'm going to be a reporter for a business paper. He asked what exactly does a reporter do. I told him I have to write articles that are aimed to be published on the paper. He looked at me with some concern and asked if the pay was going to be on the basis of the published work. When I told him no, he started eating once more.
After awhile, he started saying that's very good. I'm going to be on a good track. By being exposed with a variety of businesses, I would be able to know what kind of business to put up and how to handle it. He kept saying very good.
He asked me what will become of my studies. I told him I just graduated last April so I'm all for working.
The only advice he could give me as he said, if I may quote him, is "Don't fall in love seriously." He said it will keep me from aiming higher things in life. I think what he really meant there is that I should not hurry to get married.
I've always had that pressure of becoming the better person in place of my dad, especially in front of Papi. Obviously, he knew very little in my life, little in fact I doubt if he ever knew I transfered schools four years ago. Hearing these words which is basically the only advice he had given me for the past 22 years, I definitely will never forget this episode in my life.
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