My childhood speaks volumes of happiness, thanks mostly to my grandparents who showered us with love, gifts and time. It is during dinner time when I was growing up that I regard as my happiest memory. When the entire family - my aunts and uncle, my grandparents, parents and sister - were gathered together on the table, each sharing his stories of the day. We would cap off the night with dessert and coffee at a Spanish Cafe nearby. The smell of crispy churros and the sweet bitterness of the thick chocolate still linger today. As the adults would sip their cup of joe, my sister and i would get our share of mango shake or sorbetes (ice cream) and a piece of 'beehive', a chocolate-covered dessert, shaped like a beehive with marshmallow icing within and chocolate cake as base. Sometimes, my grandfather would treat us all to a German Restaurant in a nearby city. I remember being dressed in yellow overalls over a white lacey ruffled shirt, complete with lacey white socks and rubber shoes. While my sister would be in the same outfit but in red overalls. Both our hair neatly tucked, she in pony-tail, while I in pig-tails Sometimes when all were not yet tired from day's work, we would go to the Club, an exclusive clubhouse, and do night-swimming. My sister and I loved these nights! My parents would approve of us eating ice cream at night by the pool, while the adults talked about politics or business or anything worthy to gossip about. I might be the youngest and most innocent at that time but this picture always fills the voids of today. It is a constant reminder that life, despite its complications, is still indeed beautiful. I thank the good heavens for giving me such a memory that is forever engraved in my heart.

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