Notes

1. If I Ever Get Alzheimer's

You might be reading this when you can't even walk anymore,
or when you finally appreciate how the sun kisses the horizon at sunset.
Or maybe
when you forget.
When your memories fade like old paint.
Those moments that you don't want to let go
Become like that body soap you couldn't get ahold of.
The harder you try to grasp it,
it slips away more and more.
People that surround you may force you to remember,
But you're 17-year old self will walk you through it.
Through times you wished that stayed forever
And reintroduce you to people you cared for
And loved deeply.

Remember why you came to be and where you have come from.
Look above and you'll see the One who moulded you.
God, He chose the imperfect parents for you.
But they were enough
As they are all you could ever ask for.
Your mother, Faith
Her name is the most beautiful thing you've ever heard
As it constantly reminded you of Him
And how He was and is always there for you.
Faith, she told you not to steal from that grocery store ever again
when you tried to keep that ball in her bag
because you thought it was funny and it would surprise her.
Guess what, it did surprise her.
Because you unintentionally stole it.
And you never did it again.
Faith, she told you to always wear slippers at home or you'd get ugly feet.
She told you that your veins would become visible and trees would grow on them.
But you sometimes disobeyed her.
And you waited for the trees to sprout from your two little feet.
Also, she didn't like it when you cried. Nobody did.
Because all of them said you're prettier when you smile.
And that cheered you up.
Faith, she'd talk about your lolo and lola whenever she was cooking.
She'd tell you that they may have been penniless in the past,
They still pulled through because her parents worked hard.
She worked hard too.
She'd also tell you how your lola secretlt dislikes pasta
because it reminds her of one of your tito's intestinal worms.
It always made you laugh.
Faith, she looked like an actress in her 20s.
You still thought she was just as gorgeous in her early 40s.
You love her dearly even if she becomes a dragon at times.
It scared you a lot when she breathed fire,
But she still became tame at the end of the day.
The best part is?
She'd let you hug her. The warmth always took the fear away.
You'd hug her everyday if you could.
Also, she is a very intelligent woman.
You always looked up to her and she'd tell you that you will surpass her.
Lastly, you would always always think that she is the best mother
And that you wouldn't ask for someone better.

Your father, Jay.
He named you from his favourite angel, Archangel Michael.
Also, he loved you dearly.
He'd move mountains just to see you happy.
He'd always talk about how naughty you were as a kid.
He told you that you punched because you were angry that he stole your tricycle from you.
Your daddy told you he got mad at you, but secretly he was laughing in the inside.
And you laughed because of that.
Jay, he knew you despised ketchup. But he would always tease you and offer you some.
Also, you loved him dearly.
He'd stay up late when you study too much.
He'd even make you coffee and he'd drink with you.
He'd always tell you to not overwork yourself and that your health is more important.
But sometimes he overworks himself for you.
That's the kind of dad he is.
Also, you do stupid things together.
You wouldn't even think he was your father because he acted like a kid sometimes.
But you still loved him.
Jay, you'd always play Gary V in his car
Because it's his favourite.
He would always lip sync and you'd take a video of him.
It was always like that and you'd have fun in the car even without the pocket wifi.
Jay, he hugged you tightly when you and your mom flew to Canada.
You felt like not going anymore because you'd miss your dad's embrace.
He'd always embrace you like you were treasure.
You could tell he didn't want to let go.
And you also didn't.
But both of you did.
When he went back to his black car, you might have seen the most painful thing in the world.
You saw him driving away from you.
And the next thing you know, you are miles away from him
Your dad, your king, your hero.
He gave you his ring. A Mason ring.
And sometimes you wore it to school and told your friends about it.
Painful.
You only got to call sometimes. But that was enough because that was all you could do.
Also, you told him about your progress in playing the guitar.
You would be disappointed because you couldn't see any progress.
But he would always motivate you.
And tell you that he's proud.
Because that's the kind of dad he is.
He doesn't ask much.
He only wants a bright future ahead of you.
And you promised him you will.
Because the kind of dad he is? It's the best kind.

So they are your parents, Mikaela. You have been blessed to have them.
I, your 17-year old self, can talk more about them
But words could never suffice how great they were.
Here's the thing,
Old Mikaela...
The mind may forget,
But the heart will always
Remember.

Mikaela Canda
July 20, 2017
11:31 PM
611 Jefferson, Winnipeg MB