Dear Diary,
Today was a day filled with unexpected joys and surprises. After yesterday's bout of illness, I woke up feeling much better, the fever gone and my body feeling more like itself again. I could already sense the excitement in the air, knowing that today was the day Uncle Felipe would be visiting.
As soon as I was up and about, I joined Mama and my siblings in preparing for Uncle Felipe's arrival. We cleaned the house from top to bottom, sweeping away the dust and polishing every surface until it gleamed. Toto ran to fetch flowers from the garden, arranging them in vases to brighten up the rooms.
By mid-morning, Uncle Felipe arrived, his arrival heralded by the sound of laughter and the warmth of his smile. He swept us all up in a big hug, his embrace filled with the love and affection of a man who's been away too long. In his arms, I felt like a child again, safe and cherished.
Uncle Felipe brought with him a treasure trove of gifts from his travels—exotic spices from distant lands, colorful fabrics woven with intricate patterns, and trinkets made from shells and stones. Each item seemed to hold a story of its own, a piece of the world beyond our village.
Over a hearty meal prepared by Mama, Uncle Felipe regaled us with tales of his adventures—the bustling markets of distant cities, the vast oceans dotted with islands and atolls, and the people he'd met along the way. His stories were like windows into another world, filling our imaginations with visions of far-off places.
As the day stretched into evening, Uncle Felipe's stories continued, each one more captivating than the last. We gathered around him, hanging on his every word, as the fire crackled in the hearth and the shadows danced on the walls. There was a sense of magic in the air, a feeling of connection to something greater than ourselves.
As I listened to Uncle Felipe's stories, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe. The world is so vast and full of mysteries, and here we are, in our little corner of it, surrounded by the people we love. It's moments like these that remind me of the beauty and richness of life, of the importance of family and community.
Tonight, as I write this entry, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. Gratitude for Uncle Felipe's visit, for his stories and the gifts he brought. But most of all, gratitude for the love and warmth that fills our home, binding us together as a family.
Tomorrow is the harvest festival, a day of celebration and joy. And the day after that is when I'll confess my feelings to Lito. But for now, I'll cherish this moment, this precious time with Uncle Felipe and my family.
Until tomorrow, Diary.
Lia