Happy 65th Birthday Mommie!

We gave Mommie a surprise party for her 65th birthday. Together with my sisters, we went behind her back and became thieves (had to steal her old pictures from her "baul") and liars during the four weeks that we prepared for her party. Somewhere along the way we were getting nervous that she was smelling something cooking but the surprised look on her face during the party told us that we were successful.

Seeing her face light up that night when she saw all her friends and closest relatives in one room was worth all the trouble we went through. We were even able to bring in one of her brothers who had a stroke a couple of years ago. All her friends from her former work were there too. We invited a rondalla band for entertainment, played games, gave out prizes and fancy souvenirs and listened to testimonials from friends and family. There was even a video greeting from my dad, my brother and his family in Texas. One of the highlight of the evening was an AVP we prepared for her. It somehow sums up the woman that we call Mommie...

At the end of the party, our emcee (my best friend Annie) called her on stage. I never realized my mom was a good public speaker (it really is in my genes-hahaha!) until she began -- impromptu mind you -- telling the guests how thankful she is for her kids (ahem ahem!). What struck me most was when she said, "natupad ko ang mga pangarap ko dahil sa mga anak ko" (I realized all my dreams through my kids). She went on to say that she may not have realized her personal aspirations because of marriage and family, but the achievements of her children makes her feel that she actually did.

Since we were little, my siblings and I have known her to be a disciplinarian who would never allow her children to get into trouble. She is straightforward, a bit prudish and and one tough woman. She tended to all four of us while Daddy was working abroad. She brought us up emphasizing that education will be our best tool to have a better future.

I've never know my mom as an emotional woman...but that night, I saw tears of happiness in her eyes and heard her speak about her children with much pride in her voice.

I am thankful that we cooked up this party for her, because in a way, we were able to thank her for the many years that she dedicated to us.

Duh.

Ten minutes before midnight, I’m at the living room tinkering on my computer, thinking of something to write about. Nothing comes to mind except the thought that it’s been 21 days since my last blog.


I wait.




And wait.





And wait some more.





“think about your day!”




“how about your weekend?”




“anything special happened on valentine’s day?”




“hmmmmm, how about the week when a healing priest came to your office?”




“your sister, write about your sister!”




“any thoughts on Lozada’s testimony?”




“you like Coffee Prince, right?”




“what is the essence of being a woman?”




Oh crap. I’m out.

Making Miracles

We attended the first session of The Feast today and the topic was "How to be a Miracle Worker". It was the 4th of the 24 Building Blocks of the Champion's Life. Bo Sanchez talked about the 5 ways to create wonders in one's life.

Bo first mentioned that in Latin, the literal meaning of the word miracle is "something wonderful." These days we just associate "miracle" with "magic" or an occurence that is incredible and "out of this world." But if we revert to its original meaning, it is safe to say that we can always create miracles in our life. Having "something wonderful" happen to you can even be a daily occurence, if you will it to happen.

At one point in my life, I felt that I was neck deep in quicksand and any movement I make will make me sink even deeper and eventually take the living daylights out of me. I am talking about the time I left home and decided to be with Lyndon. I made a decision out of stubborness and pride and it severely affected my relationsip with my parents. It was a difficult time because not only were we financially unstable, we were also hurting my family really bad. I made some choices that I thought were right at that time, until the difficulties started pouring in. I was in a rut. We were deep in debt and living from paycheck to paycheck. I didn't know how to get out. There also came a point when I had to swallow my pride and move in with my sister, we just couldnt sustain living on our own anymore.

Those were dark days too because we had to abide by the rules of the household and animosity was beginning to broil. I was dying to move out again but my circumstances prevented me.

I was in a deeper rut. I never blamed the Lord for what was happening in our life because I knew perfectly well that my choices led me to where I was. However, I didn't also bother lifting a finger to ask for God's help. I told myself "I brought myself here, I'll bring myself out."

Then one day, Lyndon decided he would attend Bo's church service. We were being invited by his brother for so long but we never gave it a thought. He came back from the church service a different person. Soon after I started attending too. Little by little I came to realize that God has a better plan for my life. He doesn't want me to be in the mess that I am in. In fact, He wants me to be successful and achieve all my dreams.

Blessings then started pouring. For one, Lyndon got a permanent job. At 40, he was beginning to be desperate about the possibility of getting a full time job. I got retained amidst a major restructuring in our company with a promotion to top it off. We were able to move to a nice apartment building that fits our requirements and was within our budget. Most important of all we have been forgiven by my family and things are better between us.

My life today isn't all perfect. There are still days when I struggle. There are still moments when I blame myself for the mistakes of the past. There are still aspects of my life that need correcting. But I am better. I am healing and I'm learning to love myself more and more. I'm beginning to create miracles in my own life.