Sunday morning 29 January, the phones are chirping and buzzing by the minute. Our Daughter’s flight touches down on Clark Freeport at 20:00 hours or 8 PM other people’s time. “What time do you want to leave Daddy my daughter Hanna asked?” I replyed; “Darling at 17:00 hours my time (5 PM), and if you and Chris are not there I’ll be on the road in my car to the Clarkton Hotel to enjoy a great meal.” “Oh Daddy, we’ll be there on time!” she exclaimed. I’ve been through this before and know that being on time will never happen. But I will be sitting down to eat with or without you at 18:00 hours (6 PM).
I know this may sound harsh on my part, but if I don’t stick to my guns we’ll be pulling up to the airport as my Daughter touches down and everyone will be complaining that they are hungry. Then I end up at some no star eatery at 22:00 hours (10 PM) with my jaw ratcheted tight because I missed a great meal at the Clarkton Hotel. How did my plan play out?
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Great meal served on time at the Clarkton Hotel, arrived at the airport the flight was on time, my Ymir Thea and the guy with her were greeted and all was loaded into Chris’ van and my long lost daughter looks at me and said; “I’m hungry Daddy!” Why did I not see that coming? Do they not feed on the airplanes anymore? So off we go to Gerry’s Grill at the SM Mall at Clark Duty Free Zone. I’m replete from the meal I had less than two hours ago, but not so my traveling companions. So there I was at a no star food joint past 22:00 hours and my nightmare had come to pass.
Because she is my daughter, and my love for her is without bounds I had made a promise to myself that I would be the best father-in-law I could be to Yhen’s new husband. So without the aid of beer or even a cocktail, I set out on my quest to get to know the guy. I found that he was quite funny, which is always a plus for me and by the time we reached our house at Oh Dark Thirty (Very late at night) we were warming up to each other.
The next morning I discover him in front of the house playing with Moto-San, Bonito and Coco the Flying Labrador. The thought came to mind; “He likes dogs, how bad could the man be?” On the morning Coco walk, Mayang and Cecil and his bride wanted to go. (Did you notice I’ve now used his name?) Coco loved him and they played as we were walking. If Coco likes him, how wrong I must be about him.
Later that morning the kids said they had to go to town to visit our other daughter Hanna and then see an OBGYN to take over from the one in Singapore. They were going to ride a Jeepney, until I tossed the keys to the New Old Honda and shocked myself by saying; “Use it anytime!” That was me? What the hell is going on, I’m starting to like the guy that impregnated my Daughter? I guess that’s what was happening.
The next day they came to me to ask permission to buy an Air/Con for their room, I found out they were asking because of the electric bill. That small gesture pleased me and I said that I would pay half of the machine and for them not to worry about the power bill. I was going to pay the full cost of the Air/Con but I could see there was a pride thing involved, with Cecil and I let it workout with the 50/50 split.
Yhen and Cecil are coming to lunch with us to Texas Joe’s Friday, and so far the first week with my new Son-in-law has gone off famously. It’s funny that when you back off your high horse, what good things you can find around you. So as Bogart said to Claude Rains in Casablanca; “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
Paul
Good news to see all is sailing along on calm seas. I imagine that homecoming could have gone the other way and have been awkward.
I am still looking for that Friend in the storage business there in RP. lol
Neal;
I was on my best behavior to insure things went well, but I think that buying a used 20 foot container van will for a while solve the storage problems.
Since he passed the dog test, Cecil is an OK guy. They always know. Good looking family, Paul. Ya’ll seem happy.
Mike;
I think I had to pass the same test when I met my wife. She had a sweet old dog that became mine within two weeks. Dogs are very smart about people. Cecil passed with flying colors!
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Ron;
Not much I can say to that! (lol)
Great to hear that you have such a great son-in-law. I live part of each year (during the cold weather in IL) in Libmanan, Cam Sur, and I get along very well with our family alsoNo other expats in my area, although I have heard rumors of an Englishman that built a house in some small barangay.
My comment concerns the fate of most dogs in Phils. I too, love dogs and we always had free-running dogs in our fenced yard. My Phils family, like most in this town keeps their dogs on a short chain for their entire lives. When I have tried to pet the dogs, have been told not to as then they may become socialized to humans. I guess that they want them strictly as guard dogs. However, these dogs do not know how to guard – they bark constantly (including most of the night) on the ends of their chains. They do not really bark any more when there are people nearby.
Mike;
A guard dog is useless if they can’t get to where they are supposed to be guarding. I have pens in the back to isolate my dogs such as when in heat. I lock up the boys during the day and the girls at night to prevent odd looking dogs. But other than that they run free and get along well with humans. With all the children in and out of my house I would have it no other way. I hate to see a dog chained.
Hi Paul,
I’d have to say you’re such a great dad and best father in law a guy could ever have, i wish he treasures it. . Its always a heartwarming read when you talk about your family. Welcome home to your daughter and congratulations on the soon to be arriving apo!
Speb Freespiritme;
Great dad is a stretch, but thank you for thinking that. My daughters and Mayang have never seen me angry or heard me raise my voice. I’ve told this before here on LiP; Right after my youngest girl got her driver’s license she moved my car and hit the wall across the street. I was laughing and she looked sad, I gave her and her sister P 500.00 and told them to go to town before their mother came out of the house. I fixed the wall and the car the next day.
Hey Paul,
Sounds like things are going well so far. Now, time for a pig roast!
Hudson;
So far so good, we have some birthdays coming soon and a pig will join in the fun!
Congrats on the returned daughter! As a father to two daughters, I know what that is like. Of course having a son is what actually keeps me sane!
Tom;
The two girls will keep a man on his toes, but they were such fun. They are all great; boys or girls!
Paul,
Glad to see all is well in the Thompson family. Really a good looking couple. I’m so happy for your whole family. May will be here before you know it and new Grandpa duties will begin. When i come in October to meet my new “friend” in Quezon City i will be greeted by poodle platoon of five. So that should be interesting, but anticipate no problems. Take care and thanks for another good read.
PapaDuck;
My mother raised Poodles when I was young; it’s a misunderstood dog that in the beginning was bred to hunt until the French got their hands on them. And made them; well; French! I’m looking forward to the new little guy, and now the spoiling begins!
Sounds like a good ending to another chapter Paul. It seem you definetly predicted the meal routine at the airport. I have noticed the same thing another commentor pointed out about dogs in Ph as not really being pets but only a noisemaker. I feel sorry for dogs kept chained up on a short piece of chain like that although I don’t mention it much to my friends there as I remind myself I am not in the USA.
It is nice to read that you and your son-in-law seem to be getting off to a good start. I’ll go along with the Coco approval as dogs can sometimes sense things the rest of us don’t.
Hi Bob;
What was I thinking about with that food? I should have already known that would happen. (lol) By the way I do sometimes refer to my dogs as “My Doorbells” but chaining them up, I’d rather not have any than have to do that.
Hi Paul, Congrats on becoming a new grandfather again soon, and smoothly accepting the family changes with patience and an open mind.
I agree that backing of one’s high horse more often can make life easier as time goes by. Queenie
Hello Queeniebee;
I won’t be climbing on that horse again; I’ve proven myself wrong too many times. It’s nice to have the house full again, we tried the 4 years of empty nest and found it lacking!
Senior,
Glad to see you and your new son-in-law are hitting it off. It’s always a good thing when the young lad shows respect and what to take care of your daughter and not lean on you.
Bruce;
All is going well on the home front, I’m liking the guy more every day.
That’s good that your trying to get along with the son-in-law!!! Even the dog’s like him, that has to mean something, right? Oh, thanks by the way in getting back with me concerning the BI in Olongapo. We will also fly into Angeles City the first of April. It’s alot closer to fly into there instead of Manila. Even though the cost is more. And Congrats on the new grandchild that’s comming soon!!
Tina;
I’m glad I could help, my daughter flew in to Clark also but when you figure in the time and expense from Manila to here it comes out cheaper. Have a safe trip, I know I’ll enjoy being a Lolo again!
Hmmm, mention of beautiful women, food, beer, cars & dogs. Reads like an article about paradise! I give this one a 10!
Mike;
It could have been a good country song!
Paul,
Hope you find your bonding time goes well. I am sure your glad to have a full house again. Glad to hear that Cecil and Coco have hit it off! Looking forward to hearing how it all goes from here on out!
Steve;
The full house part I really like, it was getting boring without anyone else around. Cecil puts gas in the tank after using the car, that’s a winner on its own!
Paul,
Putting gas in the tank has to be a plus! I just hope he was using the car to restock the SMB supply! Double bonus points if that were the case!
Steve;
Pogi Points also if he buys beer! Wow, that would be the perfect son-in-law for sure.