Half dozen delight

I received a very special SMS last Sunday, May 8, 2011. It’s from Maynard and it says, “Happy Mother’s Day hahn! :)” I laughed. This guy’s humor as usual. But after a while, I was thrilled.

Whenever Mother’s Day comes, I always think that it is my mother’s day. I’ve not yet given it much of a thought that someday, it will be my day, too. Until I received that text message.

Every time I hear my mom talking with her “amigas”, I find them weird. They don’t talk much about themselves, they talk about their kids! How the kids look after birth, when the kids had their first tooth, that the kids love eating unhealthy foods and how the moms devise creative ways to make a kid eat nutritious ones. How sweet and charming the kids could be, but how hardheaded they often are. At the back of my mind, if the kids are such a headache, why can’t they just talk about other beautiful things?

But no, it seems like there’s no ceasing their conversations when it comes to their children. Which makes me wonder, every time the kids are the ones who talk, do they ever chat much about their moms?

I guess not. And so we’ll do that here. Let’s talk about moms.

Dec.31, 2009. My mom's 53rd birthday.

My mother is a plain housewife. When we were young, I was always amazed by how so many things she could do in one day. She cleans the house, she feeds our “pets”, she washes and irons our clothes, and of course my favorite, she cooks our food. She also asks us to do certain chores, but whenever we say that we’re doing something that’s school-related, she wouldn’t insist, and just leaves us alone. That’s why it has been my ultimate alibi: I’m studying for an exam! Or I’m doing my assignment! Or I’m finishing my project! Effective, I tell you.

When I was in high school, I was kind of ashamed to write in my formal themes that my mother is a plain housewife, while my classmates would write that their moms are government employee, or teacher, or nurse.

But as time flew, I just realized how blessed we are to have her. She was our first teacher, the one who taught us full-time how to read and write. She would squeeze our ears hard when we wouldn’t learn fast. She was our personal manager. She was our nurse. She is very caring. She is very mindful of everything we need. It’s like she is just always there for us. Whenever we leave the house, she is there waving and shouting “Take care!” Whenever we arrive back, she is there welcoming us and immediately preparing food for us.

And so I am very proud to say that the six of us are products of a noble plain housewife.

This loving woman...

 

Plus of course, her partner and inspiration, our hardworking and equally caring dad...

Equals half a dozen, these five ladies and a gentleman...

...who, because of their parent's sacrifices, are now grown-ups, all degree-holders and living comfortable lives.

Let us then honor* all mothers out there from the perspective of a child who seldom expresses love and gratefulness to his/her mom.

There are just three things that I would like to say to you.

First, I’M SORRY.

          …for the times that I did not listen to you.

          …for the times that I listened to you but did not obey you.

          …for the many times that I made you worry.

          …for the times that you’re asking in a nice way and I answered with a yell.

          …for the times that you feel that I do not respect you.

          …for the times that I lied to you.

          …for the times that I took you for granted.

          …for the times that I failed your expectations.

          …for the times that I got irritated of you, when all you do is care for me.

I’m sorry for all the headaches and heartbreaks I’ve caused you.

Second, THANK YOU.

         …for caring for me even when I was still in your womb.
         …for caring for me until I was so helpless as a little child.

         …for caring for me as I was growing up, until now.

         …for being patient with me.

         …for understanding me, when no one else does.

         …for knowing what I feel even when I do not say anything.

         …for all your sacrifices.
         …for your unconditional love.

I thank God for having you as my mom.

And the third is something that I do not always say or show, but I just want to let you know: I LOVE YOU TOO...

 

          *Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 5:16

Husband's crown

Every typical girl dreams to be a wife. We love the idea of fairy tales, of happily-ever-after. We are enchanted by the idea of one day meeting our prince charming, who will make our hearts melt just by his smile. We are thrilled by the thought of one day saying "I do" and spending our forever with someone.

I suddenly remembered what our pastor remarked in his message about waiting. In the area of love life, more often than not, a girl tends to be impatient lingering for Mr. Right to come along. But when he comes, the girl is not Mrs. Right. So before we become too gripped in waiting for the right one, let us first let God mold us into someone who could be a partner, a mother, a noble wife. Who then is Mrs. Right?

What I love about the Bible is that it answers all questions. Yes, all. And it does not just give concepts or theories, it gives the truth. It does not just offer knowledge, it offers wisdom. Let me then share to you, who a noble wife is*, in a biblical perspective, which is my personal "vision" and which applies to any woman who is already a wife, or will someday be one.

 

                    A wife of noble character who can find?

               She is worth far more than rubies.

               Her husband has full confidence in her

               and lacks nothing of value.

               She brings him good, not harm,

               all the days of her life.

               She selects wool and flax

               and works with eager hands.

               She is like the merchant ships,

               bringing her food from afar.

               She gets up while it is still dark;

               she provides food for her family

               and portions for her servant girls.

               She considers a field and buys it;

               out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

               She sets about her work vigorously;

               her arms are strong for her tasks.

               She sees that her trading is profitable,

               and her lamp does not go out at night.

               In her hand she holds the distaff

               and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

               She opens her arms to the poor

               and extends her hands to the needy.

               When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

               for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

               She makes coverings for her bed;

               she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

               Her husband is respected at the city gate,

               where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

               She makes linen garments and sells them,

               and supplies the merchants with sashes.

               She is clothed with strength and dignity;

               she can laugh at the days to come.

               She speaks with wisdom,

               and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

               She watches over the affairs of her household

               and does not eat the bread of idleness.

               Her children arise and call her blessed;

               her husband also, and he praises her:

               “Many women do noble things,

               but you surpass them all.”

               Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

               but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

               Give her the reward she has earned,

               and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
      Proverbs 31:10-31

I, of course, also dream to be a wife. But not just any other wife. Let us dream to be the wife whom God wants us to be. A wife of noble character, loving and faithful to God and our man, a suitable helper, the crown of our husband.

          *A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. Proverbs 12:4

Footsteps

I love it whenever I set foot on a place peculiar to me. I feel carefree. I feel thrilled. I feel blessed. I get to encounter a variety of strange faces. I get to see places that I don’t frequently see. I get to hear dialects that I seldom hear and are more often than not, weird in the ears. I get to taste food that I won’t find anywhere else.

Let’s then take this time to chill out for a while and tour to some earthspots where I left my footsteps behind - some for joining contests, some for attending seminars, some are work-related, while some are simply for leisure. Yet no matter what my purpose for roaming around is, I don’t miss the chance to appreciate the place and be delighted by God’s amazing creations.

I will never forget this travel to Naga. We traveled by land, and I thought it was the longest travel I'll ever have. I was a college freshman and I was with my seniors in the publication (who kept on scaring me that they will leave me alone there) to vie for the Luzonwide press conference. And as naïve as I was that time, at the back of my mind, I was afraid that they will seriously leave me there alone, I wouldn’t know how to go back home!
 
I spent four years in college, so, if I remember it right, I’ve been in Tagaytay four times. (We were sent yearly by our school to join the regional presscon.) The first time, I can’t hide my excitement. The second time, I’m still quite excited. The third time, I was not excited. The fourth time, I didn’t want to go at all! But kidding aside, I so treasure the bonding memories I had in this place with my fellow Phoenix-bloods.

I’ve been in Baguio twice for attending seminars, and I so love the cool breeze. The first time, I belonged to those who were causing our chief editor’s headache because we were wandering around the city without his knowledge. The second time, I was the chief editor who was having headache to keep my staff members behaved. I will never forget Cags, a soft-spoken girl, who wanted to try zipline, which for her is very cool, but for me is very dangerous. It took me an hour before I convinced her not to go. She was sad; I was relieved.

I was junior in college when we went to Tuguegarao in Cagayan, and I so dislike the place's temperature. It’s so hot there, you’ll feel like the sun is just right above your head. It was already evening when we went to Callao cave, we could barely see anything inside, but we just knew that the place is beautiful.  The Buntun bridge is so long, we stepped out of our van for a while, and took some pictures (for evidence).

 

And how could I forget Palawan, my first travel via airplane. My last and best travel as a college student, this is the place where I bid my farewell to campus journalism.

After college, I thought my having “free” travels had already come to a halt, only to find out that I will land to a first job (in PDIC) which will require me to travel every once in a while to assist in the takeover/receivership of closed banks.

My first travel was in Pangasinan where we took over the closed Rural Bank of Bautista, Inc. I was assigned at the Head Office.

My next  travel was in Camarines Sur where we took over the closed Cooperative Bank of Camarines Sur. I was assigned at the Libmanan Branch.

And my last was in Leyte for the asset disposal of First Interstate Bank (RB Kananga), Inc. This was my first travel in Visayas and my first time to travel via airplane alone. It was such a delightful experience, I felt alone but never lonely. God was with me.

There go my escapades that are school and work-related. Tiresome yes, but all worthwhile.

But ofcourse, there are also getaways that are merely for fun.

Swallowing my “shy-girlness,”  I joined in the summer outing of Orix, the company where Maynard works. We went to Cagbalete Island, in Quezon, and it’s such a gorgeous place. When you are there, you’ll feel like you own the whole island!

 

I also went to Lagos del Sol Resort along the Caliraya Lake in Laguna for a summer camp with Maynard and his churchmates. Such a wonderful way to spend summer - unwinding while knowing more of God.

To avail of an air-fare promo, I again went to Palawan last year, this time, with my sisters, Maynard, and our common friends. It was such a magnificent feeling to be with special people in your life, in such a beautiful place. At the end of the three-day stay there, I just hollered, “Palawan was even sweeter the second time around!”

Sometimes, all that fill our ears around are complaints, grievances: that nothing good is happening, that this is not a good place to live in, that you are sick and tired of working, that your earnings just equal your expenses, that every day is just the same as another day, that you are lazy to even wake up in the morning.

Our eyes are already blocked with all the bad stuffs that happen around (I sometimes am also guilty), that we fail to notice how beautiful life is. When I feel this way, I just look up and see the sky. When it’s raining, I find the little raindrops lovely in the eyes. When it’s sunny, I find the clouds seem so serene, which is enough for me to find peace in my heart again. When it’s evening, I find the moon and stars marvelous. They do not have switch on/off or batteries in them, but still they shine in the midst of total darkness.

And then I look down and I find so many great things given by God, especially the beautiful people whom He purposely brought to my life. Everything that we see, every breath that we take, the food that we eat, our family, our money, the work that we have, even the way our hearts beat, these are all gifts from God. And when we receive a gift, we don’t pay for it. We just accept it and appreciate not only the gift itself, but more importantly, the giver.

And so let’s cherish every morning that we wake up, let’s enjoy the life that we have, let’s always seek His purpose and His goodness amid any of our circumstances, let’s put our faith and confidence in Him, and we’ll realize that we are actually overflowing with blessings.

Before, I’d like to think that the places where I have been will never be the same again, because I left my footsteps there. But I knew it doesn’t work that way. My footsteps, after a short while, will just fade, and soon disappear in that place.

  

Just like the footsteps that we leave in any place where we go, we, as human, will just stay on this earth for a while. Question is, how do we use the precious gift of life that we have? By missing the mark and living in complaints and grievances? Or by giving thanks and honor to the loving Giver*?

          *Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:11-13