If you are looking for a place to unwind over the weekend, or get away from it all for a week or so, then Dumaguete City is your cup of tea.

Dumaguete, like a charming woman, is captivating from the inside out. It’s difficult to put a finger on why it is so alluring. It cannot boast of high-rises or expensive boutiques, but its naked simplicity and beauty can permeate the soul of a visitor.

It is small (33.62 km²) compared to Cebu or Bacolod, 167 and 315, respectively, and does not have an industrial base like those of the two cities, but is older than both (it was founded May 1, 1901).

And perhaps because of that, it is wiser – as proven by the many antique, albeit well-preserved buildings right in the heart of the city. And it is cleaner and more civilized. LOL!

Dumaguete prides itself of being the City of Gentle People. And for a good reason. Compared to that of Cebu’s crime rate, Dumaguete is a children’s playground. This is evident by taking a stroll along the Rizal Boulevard – Dumaguete’s showcase to the world – at night.

I’ve been to Dumaguete thrice. The first time was a breeze through on our way to Siquijor. The next was more memorable because, together with my daughter and her hubby, we stayed overnight at enchanting Forest Camp Resort in Valencia.

This time around will last forever in my memory because it was with family. Aside from my daughter and her hubby, my younger sister, two nephews, and their families also came. In a sense, it was a family affair that made a swing through two neighboring towns of Dumaguete (see map) – a three-car convoy of fun and camaraderie.

Sibulan

Sibulan is our debarkation point in Negros Oriental, after a 30-min ferry ride from Cebu. Soon as we hit land, we went right to our first destination for the day – The Twin Lakes of Balinsasayao and Danao.

The two, declared a protected area in 2000, are crater lakes 875 meters up the slopes of Mt. Talinis. Lake Balinsasayao is the larger of the two at 76 hectares, 90 meters deep.

Lake Danao is smaller at 30 hectares, 58 meters deep. A thin strip of forested land separates it from her bigger sister, and a short boat ride over placid lake-waters is necessary to get there.

Once on the other side – the ordeal begins. To see Lake Danao in its unspoiled beauty, you need to climb a series of stone steps to get to the viewing tower. It took every ounce of my osteoarthritis-ravaged knees to scale it all the way to the top. But it was worth it.

The view is so stunning to make a photo op irresistible.

We were so enraptured by the tranquility and beauty of the place, and leaving it is like leaving a life-long friend. But we have to after almost an hour of filling our senses with its magnificence.

The experience gave us the much-needed respite from big-city life, but exhausted us all over – and hungry.

To ease both, on the way back we dropped by Jo’s Chicken Inato for a much-needed rest and lunch.

Jo’s Chicken Inato

When our muscles were rested and stomachs filled, we rolled for the next stop.

Dauin

Dauin is a fourth class municipality 19 kms southwest of Dumaguete. But don’t be fooled by its low-key stature. The town hosts several hotels and resorts for travelers looking for a nice and relaxing place to unwind. And its proximity to the world-famous Apo Island, make it a haven for scuba divers.

It is also where we were booked for the night – at the Sea Dream Resorts.

Sea Dream exemplifies the saying, “small is beautiful.” It is clean, peaceful and quiet; the staff is efficient and courteous.

It has 24 rooms of various accommodations, but what rooms! They are large, well-appointed and with enough pillows to make a pregnant woman sleep comfortably.

At the back is a swimming pool long enough for lap swimming, which I did early the following morning. And the lawn is perfect for bonding.

Breakfast, however, is not included in the accommodation. But with nowhere to go early in the morning, you have no option but to take it in-house – which is not bad, anyway.

Dumaguete highlights

A visit to Dumaguete is not complete without having had a stroll along Rizal Boulevard at night. It is a sight to behold and experience. And that we did – the best for last, kind of thing.

Rizal Boulevard, named after the country’s National Hero, is 780 meters long and was built in 1916. That was foresight of gigantic proportions because Dumaguete would not be complete without it.

It is the centerpiece of the city. Looking seaward is an unobstructed view of the Tañon Strait while a long line of restaurants, coffees shops, bars, entertainment gigs line its entire landward length.

It bristles with people at night, either to dine, chill out with friends or just take leisurely walks along its clean promenade.

We were there for all three. But first, we dined at Hayahay Seafood Restaurant. 

Hayahay serves a delicious menu of native dishes like this bowl of steamy clam soup.

Coffee after a heavy meal may affect your body’s capacity to absorb the food you ate. But it’s ok to take it in moderation – especially if taken with sweets baked by the famous Sans Rival.

Before we headed back to the hotel, we made a final stop – an open-air, table-and-chair setup that sells native tempura. I was too full to take anything but a perfect shot of the Silliman Hall thrusting into the darkness – as the university has been thrusting into the darkness of ignorance since 1901.

All our bags are packed

“All good things must come to an end,” Geoffrey Chaucer.

It did the following day for us. After a hearty brunch, we started finding ourselves back home with the plan of having lunch in Oslob, Cebu. Which we did – sans the whale sharks.

Please share this travelogue of a senior.

~oOo~

The post Dumaguete is Worth Every Minute of Your Visit first appeared on Age With Charm.

I spend most weekends alone, pining for those days when the children were young and my wife was still alive. We always spent it together. That was many years ago. With her gone and both my children married, weekends torment me with melancholia.

So if an opportunity comes to break it, I never let it pass. It came on the last week of last month when my daughter asked if I was interested to go with her and her hubby to Bacolod. In a snap, I said, “Of course, I am.”

And it was a weekend of fun – for a change.

But first things first…

A few things about Bacolod you should know

Bacolod City, or Bacolod for short, is one of the leading business centers in Central Visayas, together with Cebu to the east, Iloilo to the west (see map).

A long drive of fun

Our road trip was not a single-car affair but a part of a 12-car convoy of Toyota FJ Cruisers – those big, expensive cars men-of-means love to drive on or off-road. Most came with family members except for one (or two) who were alone.

The group converged in a McDonald outlet in Talisay City at dawn, two Saturdays ago. After an hour or so of friendly greetings and filling stomachs (and emptying them, too), the convoy started rolling for Toledo City – for a ferry boat ride across the Tañon Strait to San Carlos City.

A member of the group greeted us on the other side, with a sumptuous lunch to boot. After we’re locked and loaded, we started rolling for Bacolod.

Around half-past two, we checked into our hotel, the MO2 Westown Mandalagan. It’s not 5-star, but the rooms are clean and big and the two twin beds were a welcome sight after being on the road for roughly 12 hours.

And I slept…

The total distance between Cebu and Bacolod is only 191.3 kms, but our travel time was stretched because of the numerous stops along the way, i.e. leg-stretching, bladder-emptying and, yes, the photo ops.

But there was never a dull moment. Each car has a kiddie hand-held radio to coordinate with each other and to exchange endless chatter.

The Ruins

My daughter woke me up around 4 pm and told me to get ready as we are rolling. “To where#8221; I asked. She answered “The Ruins.”

The Ruins is an awesome sight to behold. It is dubbed as the Taj Mahal of Negros – with a bit of hyperbole, of course. But it was built for love, too.

Here’s its story…

Maria Braganza was the wife of Don Mariano Lacson. Between them were 10 children. On the last term of her 11th pregnancy, Maria slipped and fell. This caused a miscarriage resulting in her untimely death. That was in 1911.

Her death left Don Mariano inconsolable with grief. To take his mind off his loss, and in remembrance of his beloved wife, in 1920, he built a mansion in his 440-hectare sugar plantation in Talisay, Bacolod (Talisay is now a separate city).

During the Japanese occupation, Don Mariano allowed the invading forces to billet in his mansion. In retaliation, Filipino resistance fighters burned it to the ground in 1942.

It remained in ruins until 1980 when Raymund Javellana, a great-grandson of Don Mariano,  resurrected it as a tourist attraction.

And he did a marvelous job.

In its heydays, this mansion of Italian architecture had 10 huge rooms decorated with furniture from Philippine hardwood and floored with Machuca tiles (handmade cement tiles).

What is left now is an empty shell, albeit, echoing its past beauty and grandeur.

There is a pavilion for functions and conferences and another serving as a diner. A huge,  well-manicured lawn is perfect for guests to stroll around and take photos with The Ruins as a backdrop.

The group was so engrossed with the enchanting aura of The Ruins not to notice that it was time for supper.

Chicken House – Capitol Shopping

Bacolod is probably enamored with chicken. There are so many chicken houses in the city it’s difficult to know which one is the best. In a dilemma like this (especially when one is famished), the best way is to let the locals do the choosing. And he made a perfect choice – the Chicken House Capitol Shopping.

Never mind the awkward business name, but its grilled chicken tastes great. Oh, they only serve chicken. But the size of our group depleted their stock of a certain chicken part those who ordered it had to settle for another part. LOL!

I was so hungry I dispatched mine with haste – keel with garlic rice downed with a cold bottle of Coke – and didn’t take any pictures of the riotous and hungry crowd.

For a nightcap, a few members drove to a new arcade (it’s so new it still smells paint) where the well-heeled crowd of Bacolod goes for a nightcap and conversation. As usual, I had brewed coffee.

Knowing Bob’s

Bob’s is, of course, Bob’s Restaurant and Pastry Shop – the group’s place of choice for breakfast. A Trip Advisor reviewer dubs it as the place that serves the “best burger in town.”

Being an early riser, I was not very optimistic about it. I knew that the group can’t be up and ready before 7 a.m. So I had mine at the hotel – after a few laps of jogging around the parking lot.

True enough, it was past 8 a.m. when the group started trickling out of their rooms.

But Bob’s did not disappoint. Even at mid-morning, the parking lot was already full. The place is well-appointed, the service is good and the patrons belong to the B and A categories.

I cannot say about the food as I only had coffee. My daughter and her hubby had a full serving and later raided the pastry shop to gift some people back home.

We almost missed it

While at Bob’s, word came that our 3 p.m. ferry back to Cebu was canceled for mechanical problems. Phone calls were immediately made to secure a space in Lite Ferries, an alternative carrier.

Once done, we made haste for San Carlos City (after the women made a quick shopping at Bong Bong’s Gift Center).

We arrived way past noon with most restaurants already closed except La Grotta where we had lunch. It is a dainty little Italian Restaurant in the middle of a subdivision. Since we had no more plans to go anywhere, we stayed there until boarding time.

We left San Carlos before 6 p.m., and I got home past 9 p.m. Though tired and hungry,  deep within was a feeling of unimaginable joy for having a weekend of fun.

~oOo~

The post A Weekend of Fun and Wonderful Company first appeared on Age With Charm.

Ten years ago, I turned 60. A day before I did, I mused, “Tomorrow I will be 60 years old. What would life be like#8221;

Two days later, I found the answer, “It’s the same.” Life was still the same at 60 as it was at 59. The only earth-shattering event that came upon me was the unexpected death of my wife towards the end of the year.

The circumstances of her demise are something I could never forget. They haunt me every now and then. So far, I have succeeded (with much effort) in keeping them at bay. I can’t bring her back to life even if I cry buckets of tears. But I can fill my life with fun as a balm to ease the pain of her loss.

We are all scarred:

At this point in life, it is almost certain that you have had one or two traumatic experiences. It could be failed expectations, an errant child, a major career blunder, bankruptcy, an ugly divorce or death of a spouse, and many others.

They mark you. Like scars on your face, they bring back a deluge of painful memories each time you look at the mirror. Tears of sadness fill your lonely moments, making you feel melancholic and depressive.

But life must go on, so to speak. And dwelling on your past sorrows removes the fun out of living. It makes you miss all the wonderful things that surround you – hidden behind cobwebs of misery that cover your eyes.

Never give in:

Despite my scars, and at 70, I am having much fun – by force of will. Like all seniors, I am not impervious to age-related issues.

I have a constant bout against loneliness, a mild case of hypertension and my knees are ravaged by osteoarthritis. But in hindsight, I am more fortunate than others. Statistics show that:

• 4 in 5 seniors suffer at least one chronic condition or illness like heart disorders, arthritis, or osteoporosis. One half, at least two.
• People over 75 years old visit the doctor 3 times more often than people 22 to 44 years old.
• An estimated 1 in 10 senior citizens are victims of elder abuse, the intentional acts by a caregiver that lead to physical, psychological, or emotional harm.
• US poverty rates are highest for people 65 and older, with 10.5% living in poverty.

But will these problems disappear or go away if you dwell on them too much NO! They are your new realities. You cannot avoid them. You must embrace them for these issues can bring out the best in you.

And you can – if you give it much effort. Modern science and medicine have evolved so much since the time of your parents to provide coping strategies that will allow you to live a normal happy life until the end of your days.

Take heed from these lines of the song, Don’t Worry, Be Happy:

                               In every life, we have some trouble

                               But when you worry you make it double.

Never give in. Fight back or devise coping mechanisms. It’s fun, believe me. It’s like winning a game of hide-and-seek.

Bring out the child in you:

Cecelia Ahern said, “Age is just a number, not a state of mind…” – Cecilia Ahern.

Meaning you can be old in your youth, or youthful in old age. And what better time to be young than now – while you still can?

I derive so much fun from my writing, sprinkled with solo long drives, or an overnight stay in a remote island resort. Except for a few friends with the same bandwidth as mine, I relish being alone.

Should I feel like connecting with others, I can easily talk to anybody I meet. I can talk to the guy at the next table in a coffee shop, a street cleaner, a security guard, or anybody who don’t mind talking to an old stranger like. Most of all, I love talking to foreigners (good for my conversational English. LOL!).

What about you What gives you much fun?

Choice Connections lists 13 fun activities for seniors. They can be done solo, or in a group setting. If none of them appeals to the child in you, devise your own.

Join a singing group if your vocal cords can still handle the right notes. If you are still as nimble as a brown hare, join a dance club.

Having fun is personal. That’s why I drink alone or take long drives alone.

But whatever you do, don’t ever let age stop you from doing it.

 “Old age” as we currently know it is just a fictional story we tell ourselves. – Joseph F. Coughlin said, “Old age, as we currently know it, is just a fictional story we tell ourselves.”

Then adds, “It is not about plain survival, either. But having lots of fun.”

The last weekend of January was fun-filled for me. I was in for a ride to Bacolod with my daughter and son-in-law. We were part of a 13-can convoy of Toyota FG Cruisers – those big and expensive cars men suffering from mid-life crises play with.

I love trips like that for two reasons: First – I don’t have to spend anything (my daughter takes care of that, and, Second: I get to rub elbows with people who are successful in their careers.

There were four doctors in the group (my daughter and her hubby, and two others), the rest were businessmen. Some brought their families along, while a few came solo.  I had so much fun being immersed in the banter among the group. No, they don’t talk about serious stuff, except when they talk about their car accessories and what more to add.

Bacolod is one of the three bustling cities in Central Philippines (the other two are Cebu and Iloilo).

It has all the amenities of comfortable living (It is not so crowded as Cebu) and there are nice restaurants to dine in and tourist places to visit. It is peaceful and the people are great. nice. latest But they all had fun

If you are living in a very stifling, polluted and densely-populated city as I do, Bacolod is a great place to visit for a short break.

~oOo~

The post Old Age Should be Full of Fun, not Pain first appeared on Age With Charm.

“Why do you drink alone#8217;

My date asked me this question over a few beers at City Times Square a month ago.

Before I go into it, here’s a quick rundown of the place.

City Times Square is a two-story building 15  minutes drive from my home. It is my favorite Saturday-evening hangout because it transforms into a hub of excitement after sundown.

How?

Because every square inch of the Square is full of things people crave at the end of a hectic week, i.e., coffee shops, restaurants, resto-bars, a disco, a karaoke bar, and just about anything that spells fun and excitement.

The choice of food is international, i.e. Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Indian, and, of course, the ever-present Filipino cuisine which is a mishmash of everything edible.

Needless to say, the crowd is just as varied. Sipping coffee at Dunkin Donuts is like sitting in the lobby of the United Nations Building – peoples from different parts of the world pass by in a blur.

And it is in this setting my 40-yr-old date asked why I drink alone.

I said, “Look around. Can you see another 69-yr-old guy having a beer with a lovely woman like you at this time of the night?

I drink alone because guys my age are either dead, sickly, or contented to watch the NBA games or the latest news on TV.”

Not me…

Drinking alone, to most people is weird; lackluster. It is devoid of the fun alcohol draws out from even the meekest of men.

But drinking alone is my idea of fun. I find it liberating. It frees me from the drudgery of boring people and I can “find” myself. Without the noise of a crowd allows me to update my bucket list.

You are dead even as you live:

When people get to this age, thoughts of death flutter in their minds; they become anxious about the curtain falling down on them anytime, and there is no encore.

But to dwell on this is stressful. It’s like being on the edge all the time.

That’s not all…

Thinking about negative things make your body react negatively. It makes you lose enthusiasm, affects your diet, your sleep, and many other things that will rot your mind and body.

In short, you are already dead even as you live.

Not me. I want to go with my boots on; to live life as I have never lived before. I want people to say, “He died a happy man. Having done everything, missing nothing.”

And you can do it. You can rev up your life no matter how old you are. Nobody’s going to stop you from doing things younger people do – provided you won’t act and look like a jerk or a spoiled brat.

Behavior and action:

I came across this on Quora: “Why do people at age 65 and above want to act younger when their life is already 85% over#8221;

And why not Whoever said that you cannot do things younger people do?

Never let age be a hindrance to your happiness. Do whatever it is you want while you can. Don’t breathe your last with much regret for having missed a lot of things.

But do behave according to the norms of an educated and civilized society.

I can drink to my delight, provided I won’t let alcohol take over my sense of propriety. Being old carries with it some responsibilities, like being a paradigm of good behavior.

My daughter doesn’t mind my solo long drives or overnight stays on remote islands or date women 30 years younger because she knows I know how to behave my age.

Yes, you can be as retro as you like, provided you don’t behave like a retrograde.

Please spread the message by sharing it with other oldies.

~oOo~

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The post Going 70 but Revving like a Guy at 50 first appeared on Age With Charm.

Retirement these days is drastically different from a few years ago when it simply means to stop working, laze around the house entire day while living off a retirement pension.

Now, everybody wants to retire in style. They want to get the most out of it, i.e., spend their days the way they want to, engage in sports, travel, fine-dine at least once a week and, for singles, give love another go, and many others.

And they should. They owe it to themselves to loosen up and have fun after all those years of making a living. Now they should have a life.

Unfortunately, age-related issues like failing health, money, relationship problems, lack of a social network, etc., make all these unreachable for most.

Money is usually at the core of a retiree’s problems. It is estimated that 65 % of Americans retirees are having money difficulties. For them, getting the most of retirement is not the primary concern. Survival is.

For others who are getting by, though not lavishly, having fun at retirement is achievable and are having the best time of their lives.

How they do it may be a poser for those who have just joined the league of “old and happy men and women.” To set them off on the right track, here are some tips I learned through the years as a retiree:

1.  Manage your money:
Some people still cling to the saying that “money is the root of all evil.” If that is a beacon of their moral scrupples then let it be. But experience tells that nothing is worse than being old and poor.

So whatever financial resources you have, no matter how small, manage it well.

Limit your budget to cover the essentials, not the extras. Keep within your budget even if you have to go minimalist. Besides, abundance is not an ingredient for happiness. Contentment is.

Be content with what you have and be grateful for it. Remember that so many seniors are in worse situation than you.

Familiarize yourself with the provisions of Social Security and Medicare just in case you need financial relief from these institutions.

2.  Manage your health:
After money, the greatest spoiler of an enjoyable retirement is health issues. Statistics show that about 80% of seniors have at least one chronic disease (heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes), and 77% have two.

If you are still healthy at your age, you have much to be thankful for. Most seniors that stand behind a drugstore’s counter carry a wad of prescription.

Even if you have one or two medical issues, don’t lose heart. Medicine and science have gotten to the level of allowing you to live a normal life despite these. But you have to be careful with your diet, get enough sleep and exercise regularly.

3.  Manage your relationships:
“Relationships,” covers not only your spouse, your children and immediate members of your family but also those within your social circle, like friends, work associates, former classmates, neighbors and everybody you have more-than-casual interaction.

Don’t by the grouchy old man. When you are old, you need all the friends you can count on. So make peace with those you had a falling out with, create new ones.

Don’t shut people out from your life. Going solo in old age is like committing suicide. We need people to talk to when we are lonely; people to help us with our personal needs when we are unable to do them; pick us up when we fall, or send us off when we die.

4.  Have lots of fun:
Are you having fun I am. Lots of it.

No, I don’t have a fortune in my bank account and, except for two or three people I can share my problems with without fear of having them go viral, I don’t have a large social circle either.

But I do have two wonderful kids who are supportive of my “oldishness”  and I am in excellent health.

Having fun, however, is not a matter of externals. It comes from a deep desire of giving life one last hurrah. Old age is the time to do what we never had the chance to do in our younger years, it is the time to be what we are meant to be.

So throw all inhibitions to the wind and have lots of fun. Don’t leave this world regretful of not having done the things you always wanted to do.

Please share with other seniors so they will also have the greatest time of their lives.

~oOo~

The post How to Get the Most Out of Retirement first appeared on Age With Charm.

What makes you happy?

I mean really happy even the passage of time cannot diminish the forming of a smile of joyful contentment on your old and wrinkled face each time you think about it?

Call me corny or overly melodramatic, but mine was the superb weekend with my children where we immersed ourselves in sand, sea and sky within a bubble of pure, unadulterated togetherness.

What made it extra memorable is where we spent it in – in Hennan Resort in Panglao, Bohol, Philippines.

For the frequent traveler with guts and desire to try something exciting, exotic, enchanting, yet affordable, Panglao Island in the Philippines is not an unfamiliar place to have them all.

And if you want to put a touch of class to your adventure of discovery, Hennan Resort is the place to go. In fact, it has established quite a name the lobby was full of local, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, American and European guests when we checked in.

My daughter (who made the reservation) nailed the family room we stayed in perfectly. It was not too large, or too small, was well-furnished, and accommodated us all – I, my daughter and hubby, my son and wife, with enough space to move about without getting into each other’s way.

Our room provided a superb atmosphere to foster excellent bonding – something we never had as a family for a long time. And I relished every moment of it.

Hitting the Beach:

After settling in our room we immediately hit the beach

Hennan’s beach front is modest in length but its exceptionally white and powdery sand feels good to the soles of our tired feet, and its clear and clean waters are delightfully refreshing to both body and soul.

Like friends who have not seen each other for a long time, we swam, snorkeled, and shared funny stories and experiences. It was fun.

Every parent has a soft spot for his children and I am no different. My children are the centerpiece of my life and I overflowed with joy to see them connect with each other as flawlessly as a fiber optic cable.

Dining Together Makes the Food Taste Even Better:

The family that eats together stays together.

And when it comes to eating, Hennan leaves nothing to be desired. Its menu reflects the variety of its guests and they are all prepared to make you salivate and throw away your diet plan even just for a day.

More than just the food, was the chance to eat with my children. Since their Mom died, and since they got married, eating together has been as rare as a four-leaf clover. Like any live alone senior, I eat solo most of the time. And it sucks. It deadens your taste buds.

During that weekend, even if I had a poor man’s dish (which I didn’t), it would still have tasted like the food for kings.

Cloud 9 at Alona Beach:

Hennan Resort is along a stretch of white sandy beach called the Alona Beach.

It is not just a stretch of beach. It is where the nightlife of Panglao is centered. Panglao Island and Alona Beach are practically synonymous. You haven’t been to Panglao Island if you haven’t been to Alona.

Along its entire length are bars, coffee shops, hotels and motels, barbecue stands and just about anything anyone wants to see or do in the evening.

And it provided a perfect setting for me and my children to chill out after dinner.

Over coffee (for the women) and beer (for the men), we just hang loose, cozying up to each other with loose talk about nothing and everything.

For more than a couple of hours, I lived the moment – no body pains, no money issues, no loneliness stuff, and no thoughts of my age or tomorrow.

For a couple of hours I was in Cloud 9.

Counting My Blessings:

The Internet is rife with stories of elderly people left by family in nursing homes or retirement homes, forgotten and forsaken.

A couple of weeks ago, a Facebook post showed an old and decrepit man holding a placard appealing to his children in the U.S. – two doctors and two nurses – for help. At the bottom of the placard was written a message saying, “I need help. I spent my entire life working in the Middle East to spend for your education.”

It is uncertain if that was for real (it is so easy to make things like that nowadays). What is certain is that I am more blessed.

Yes, I live alone. I frequently suffer from feelings of loneliness, even depression. But I am never that far away for either or both and their spouses. I am always a part of their lives. Maybe not center stage because they have lives of their own, but never forgotten and forsaken.

We have our altercations every now and then. What parent/children don’t have There are days when I don’t want to talk to my daughter. But we don’t burn our bridges. Not the kind of father to harbor feelings of ill-will towards his children for long, I always put the effort to sooth things out. And that’s probably why my children have not written me off, too.

Children are always beautiful in the eyes of their parents, from the moment of birth, till they breathe their last.

I cannot say anything less of mine. They may sometimes be over felicitous to the point of being irritating, rebellious at times, but those are things expected of parenthood. I never allow these to become a solid wall separating us both.

Nor do I allow these to deprive me of another chance of spending a fantastic weekend with my beautiful children. In fact my daughter is again planning to make another reservation for another up-scale resort in the same island.

That’s how blessed I am.

Are you as blessed as I am as a parent I would appreciate to read of your experience as one.

~oOo~

The post A Superb Weekend of Sand, Sea and Sky with My Beautiful Children first appeared on Age With Charm.