Hello my dear hivers in the @familyandfriends community! I hope you're all well and safe.
Today, I want to share a simple yet heartfelt family moment we had. It's a despedida lunch for our youngest sister, Shane. She’s going back to Bukidnon to continue her studies in Environmental Science. She’s now 20 years old, and though we’re very proud of her, it’s always bittersweet every time we have to say goodbye.
In our family, whenever someone is about to leave, we make sure to give them a warm and meaningful send-off. It doesn’t have to be grand. Most of the time its just us. For Shane’s despedida, we prepared a few of our favorite dishes that always make every occasion special.
We had pancit, a classic dish that symbolizes long life and good fortune. It’s always present in our celebrations, whether birthdays, reunions, or farewells.
Then there was kinilaw, a refreshing local dish made from raw fish, cucumber, and seasoned with salt, chili, vinegar, and a bit of MSG. Very simple yet full of flavor.
For dessert, we made lamaw, a sweet and creamy mix of coconut meat, coconut juice, and condensed milk. It's a family favorite, especially on hot days.
It was just an intimate family lunch, shared with my parents, siblings, and our niece and nephew. Before we started eating, our eldest sibling, who is also a pastor, led a prayer to bless the food and Shane’s journey ahead.
We laughed, shared stories, and savored every bite together. Though our hearts felt a little heavy knowing she’ll be away again, the love and warmth we shared made the moment lighter. Family occasions like this remind me that goodbyes are never really sad when they’re filled with love and blessings.
That's all for today. Thanks for reading this far. Til my next post!
Note: Lead photo is edited in Canva.