It is officially ONE year since I launched, The Legend of Tessie Agana! As I look back on photos/posts since our launch in Chicago, I remember how terrified I was to step outside my comfort zone in an entirely new world. “We’re often afraid of being vulnerable, but vulnerability creates genuine connection.” ~ Gabby Bernstein
This journey reminded me that life is truly about connections. We are born to connect with our parents through endearing eyes and touch of loving hands to the friendships that shape us. Shout out to Marci Beishline Lerner in 2nd grade, who made this shy, awkward girl feel seen by buying my handwritten lyrics of Annie’s “Tomorrow” for 25 cents!
Throughout life, we connect – whether its with our teachers/college professors, clients, or loved ones. Having a ‘tribe’ is essential. My family has been my biggest support, becoming my ‘roadies’ as we traveled across cities in the US and later bringing my dream of returning to the motherland of the Philippines come to fruition by not only the grace of God of getting us there safely but my oldest sister Marita, and brother Jun, who I lovingly ‘voluntold’ to accompany me. They all made this journey unforgettable.
This adventure allowed me take a month off to pursue this remarkable dream and travel to the Philippines and Japan – along with my husband, Andy’s unconditional love and support, with helping take care of our teenage boys back home! So much encouragement launching at the beautiful Sampaguita Events venue in the Philippines, the same location my mom filmed many of her childhood movies back in the 1950s. A unique opportunity to spend quality time with many of our Vera Perez family, and our Agana and Jao families. We enjoyed our last stop in Asia to Japan for a special visit to my brother Rodney’s family.
I am thankful for the connection with my Philippines Publishing tribe at BookshelfPH with Monette Quiogue leading the charge. A great team and introduced my book to various film institutions, national libraries, and booked my very first podcast as a guest. My book even made its debut at the biggest book festival, Manila International Book Fair last week.
One of the most humbling moments where I get emotional every time is hearing how this book has impacted others. People have shared their stories, some patching up family disagreements, others jotting down questions for their own children to get to know their grandparents. But when someone comes up to you crying because the book resonates with them so much, I hold their hands and cry with them.
With this crazy schedule, this summer, I took a much-needed break from the book tour and chilled with my family. Seven of the nine Agana Jao siblings and families went on a cruise. Let’s just say, Royal Caribbean may never be the same after the Jao family participated in every sport and fun activity! We also spent an extended time in the Chicagoland area for Andy’s family reunion at the lake where he grew up. Andy and boys mastered wakesurfing. I’ll take my 30 seconds of being up while the entire boat filled with family cheered me on after numerous times trying before I crash landed and contacts flew out of my eyeballs. Evening boat cruises and soaking up the sun with family are just precious times.
This past weekend, Mama Tessie was in rare form, this was a great day. I walked into her room, opened the door slowly, and she was bright eyed and smiling and without skipping a beat in perfect English, “Where have you been? Come join us!” (don’t know the ‘us’ she was referring to). Mama was singing. I took out my phone to video her, like I always do, and she sang a song I never heard. I looked up the lyrics she sang. OF COURSE it was from Patsy Cline, one of her oldies faves, and the song title was “Always”. Even with her dementia, she recalls these classic songs and sings it so beautifully. The day was full of laughter, speaking English, (not the Spanglish/tagalog), hilarious (maybe a little dirty) conversations, and just jovial. As many who have read the book are aware, connection with my mom was not always easy growing up. Now, I cherish these days and relive them in my head because I know they are limited.
I’ve accomplished many goals with my mom: I read her every chapter of the book, let her see the cover, and even had a successful book tour to various cities with her by my side. Done, done, and done. But am I truly done with this book journey? Sometimes I think yes. But I feel compelled to share more stories, so the typing on the laptop continues with more ideas!
Thank you for your continued love and support, Maraming Salamat, po! In the meantime, hug your loved ones…
Always Embrace The Now
