The Letter

Legend has it that the letter arrived well worn and well traveled. It started its journey mostly likely in a tiny cramped house in Manila, where it was lovingly written and sealed with care. The letter traveled first by jeepney, then by truck, then plane, traveling 10,000 miles to reach its final destination: Trenton, NJ.

When my uncle received the letter, he could immediately tell by the penmanship that the sender was young and female. It had been carefully addressed to J. Guzman, although he didn't know how she had found him. He stared at the envelope for a while, knowing what was inside and hoping against hope that he wasn't right. Finally, feeling both dread and anticipation, he tore the envelope open.

He was right. Inside the letter were the hopes and dreams of a young girl half a world away whose heart was breaking. With hands trembling and heart pounding, my uncle lifted the letter and began to read.

"Dear Papa,

Saan po kayo? (Where are you?) I am wishing so much to see you. It has been a long time now since you see me. I start to forget how you look. Do you remember me? I am fifteen now, Papa. Dalaga po na ako. (I am a young lady.)

I like school, and teacher says I'm very smart. I graduating from high school this year. Mama says not ask you to come 'coz you won't come. Is this true? We don't talk about you anymore kasi umiyak si Mama. (because Mama cries.) People say you never come home, that you are dead now.

Please come home, Papa. Come back from America. I am missing you so much and hope to see you soon. God Bless you and keep you safe."

The letter was signed "Your loving daughter forever".

My uncle put down the letter and sighed. He had no idea what to do. How was he going to explain this to his wife? Never mind that. How was he going to explain this to his mother? He looked at the return address on the envelope. Not exactly the richest place in town. He wondered how this girl had found his address, how she knew to send the letter there. He wondered how she was doing, and if she had enough to eat. He wanted so much to find her and know that she was okay.

But he couldn't do it. He couldn't write her, couldn't tell her, just couldn't find the words. How do you tell a child that you're sorry? Sorry that her mother is alone, sorry that she's hurting, sorry that her wishes will never come true. As much as he wanted it to happen, her father wouldn't ever, couldn't ever see her again.

How do you tell your little sister, a child you've never met, that the father you both share has been dead for over ten years?

Maybe someday my grandfather can answer his young daughter from beyond the grave.