Of all events in our life, the most cherished is the birthday. Perhaps, marriage, too.
In my case, I cherish birthdays most because my sons and daughters, grandsons, granddaughters, great-grandsons and great-granddaughters come around to celebrate with me. Though in recent years they don’t come that many anymore as seven out of our nine children are abroad or in Metro Manila. Only two of them are staying with us. During my 87th birthday last Jan. 20, however, our son Dr. Godofredo O. Peteza Jr. and his wife Nena, treated me and my wife in a posh restaurant in Bagasbas beach resort in the suburbs of Daet.
And recently, I received a very rare birthday card from Lt. Gen. Ernesto G. Carolina, administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs
Office. It was the first time I received such card from him. It had the following greetings: “20 January 2015 Dear DC Peteza, Sa natatanging araw ninyong ito, ipinahahatid namin ang aming taos pusong pagbati. Nawa’y patuloy kayong maging inspirasyon ng ating mga kabataan at gabay ng bayan sa pagtahak ng matuwid na daan at matatag na kinabukasan, kalakip ang aming dalangin na marami pang maliligayang kaarawan na kagaya ngayon ang darating sa inyong buhay. Mabuhay!”
General Carolina’s message touched the deepest recesses of my heart. Not only that. The greeting card has two red colored hearts printed on it, which could mean a Happy Valentine’s greeting as well, especially given the fact that I got it four days before Valentine’s Day. Hence, my family and I can only say to the good general and his staff, “Muchichimas gracias.”
—GODOFREDO O. PETEZA,
district veterans president,
Veterans Federation of the Philippines,
Camarines Norte Veterans District-Region 5,
JP Rizal Street, Daet, Camarines Norte