Papemelroti Story: Ten Years
20 Jun 2014
Story by Diane Francisco
dianewantstowrite.com
dianewantstowrite.com
When I was still in grade school, there was the Filofax and
all those leather bound organizers I've been coveting. As a kid who couldn't
wait to grow up, I dreamed of having one for myself. I was imagining the smell
and feel of the leather's skin and the smooth white pages waiting to be filled
with my handwritten notes. Reality however never fails to awake me. A kid, who
goes to school with packed lunch and snacks and occasional Php 50
bonus from her grandparents, can never afford to purchase that grown up
organizer.
To keep me organized, I usually avail those mini planners
sold in bookstores. I started with the Php 20 annual planner
produced by Hallmark. When I turned 7, an older cousin introduced me to
Papemelroti. It was also few days after Christmas when I first
stepped to Papemelroti's Ali Mall branch. I was overwhelmed with all the
stationery in brown paper. This is my happy place!
My first purchases from Papemelroti were the
classic brown notepads. Over time, I discovered the notebooks and mini planners. I started buying the mini planners when I was 11 years old. I would write my
deadlines in the tiniest boxes devoted for each day. When something significant
happened on a particular day, I ensured to write down my sentiments. Whenever I
failed or miraculously passed a test, felt upset for being reprimanded,
discovered and revealed secrets among friends, and my most favorite then, the
rare times my crush glanced at me. Haha
The mini planner didn't perform mini functions for me. It
became a journal. It became a documentation of my growing up years. The annual
collection of mini Papemelroti planners lasted until I finished
college. When I started working, I got complimentary planners from the company. I was also once of those who became highly dependent with technology. All my
schedules were plotted either on my mobile phone or Microsoft Calendar.
Five years after working and finishing my
mastoral degree, I decided to do some major
de-cluttering at home. It was also days after Christmas when I
decided to throw away the unnecessary things caused by my highly sentimental
personality. I later discovered my pile of Papemelroti planners. I
found 10 planners that represented the past 10 years of my life. I read the all
my handwritten entries and found myself crying and laughing at the same time. I
cannot explain the overflowing emotions thriving in me. Had it really been 10
years?
The planners related my growing up years. I wrote about my
struggles, insecurities, achievements and priceless moments of happiness. Much
of what I am today can be told by what I wrote inside those planners.
I decided to compile the planners in a special place. Every
time I would feel sad and upset, I would take out those planners and reread
everything I have written. In a way, I would like to believe that they served as
my security blankets. The planners reminded me that I grew up. I survived the
challenges and problems came my way. It also gave me an assurance that no matter
what it takes, I have made things happen.
I hold on to my mini planners in those lowest points of my
life. Unfortunately, those 10 years of my life were taken away. When typhoon
Ondoy hit our home in Marikina, the planners vanished.
I secretly wept for all the memories I lost.
However, I would like to believe that it was God's
compelling way for me to grow up and let go. My 10 years in those planners maybe
gone but the memories, never! The past 10 years are stored in a more secured
place, my heart.
The past week, I happened to drop by the Ali Mall branch of
Papemelroti. I needed to purchase some decorative items for a
DIY project. Despite nearing the middle of the year, I purchased
this mini planner. It made me smile for a while. I just turned 30, entered
another decade and I was thinking, it would be nice to start documenting my
life again?
*You too can share any love and friendship experience you have had with a Papemelroti product and if we choose to publish your story you will receive a surprise gift from us! Just send us a message.
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