sunrise...
...sunset.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
sunrise, sunset
Finished a couple of paintings in the past few weeks. Hope to do more over the weekend.
sunrise...
...sunset.
sunrise... ...sunset.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
split-second madness...lifetime consequences
How do you get over losing someone in such a tragic way? Do you ever?
My best friend of over 20 years lost her brother one fateful February day. He spent four days in the ICU after being struck in the head with a blunt object. It was a deliberate act, the perpetrator’s way of getting even over something so insignificant. And because of that a wife lost the husband to whom she has dedicated her life. Because of that one stupid act, two boys will grow up, fighting their own battles, making sense of the world without a father to guide them through. A family will spend the rest of tomorrow asking questions they may never find the answers to.
The day I went to the hospital, I felt part of the pain that the rest of the family was feeling. I can only imagine the mixture of emotions they are experiencing…anger, grief, disbelief…
If only if it weren’t so sudden, if only there was a chance for a proper goodbye, an opportunity to assure that everything will be okay despite his leaving.
The greatest pain comes from knowing that his life was taken away by someone who did not think twice to measure how much his life is worth to his family and friends. Here is a man who is a great provider, a loving husband and a dutiful son, and yet his life is taken away in a spur of a moment, a result of a trivial issue that could have been easily resolved.
Words of condolences uttered may be worthless at the moment. It can never dull the pain no matter what. Words of assurance that he is now in the presence of his Maker, may even sound too condescending. For now I can only offer prayers for the family. Prayers to help them heal. There is no way to hasten the process of healing, it will be a rough and bumpy ride but the whole family must commit to hold hands throughout the journey.
I know it will take long, maybe years to understand why something like this has to happen. Only God knows the answers, only He knows why.
My best friend of over 20 years lost her brother one fateful February day. He spent four days in the ICU after being struck in the head with a blunt object. It was a deliberate act, the perpetrator’s way of getting even over something so insignificant. And because of that a wife lost the husband to whom she has dedicated her life. Because of that one stupid act, two boys will grow up, fighting their own battles, making sense of the world without a father to guide them through. A family will spend the rest of tomorrow asking questions they may never find the answers to.
The day I went to the hospital, I felt part of the pain that the rest of the family was feeling. I can only imagine the mixture of emotions they are experiencing…anger, grief, disbelief…
If only if it weren’t so sudden, if only there was a chance for a proper goodbye, an opportunity to assure that everything will be okay despite his leaving.
The greatest pain comes from knowing that his life was taken away by someone who did not think twice to measure how much his life is worth to his family and friends. Here is a man who is a great provider, a loving husband and a dutiful son, and yet his life is taken away in a spur of a moment, a result of a trivial issue that could have been easily resolved.
Words of condolences uttered may be worthless at the moment. It can never dull the pain no matter what. Words of assurance that he is now in the presence of his Maker, may even sound too condescending. For now I can only offer prayers for the family. Prayers to help them heal. There is no way to hasten the process of healing, it will be a rough and bumpy ride but the whole family must commit to hold hands throughout the journey.
I know it will take long, maybe years to understand why something like this has to happen. Only God knows the answers, only He knows why.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Reconnecting
On Friday, after our yearend party in the office, I went to Katips in Scout Torrillo to meet up, this time with my grade school friends. I have been absent in a number of our get-togethers for months, so I took it upon myself to attend the party this time. Ms. Bong and Kuya Carlos willingly drove me to the place (despite its being quite a distance from their destination), so I arrived there in time for the 7:30 schedule. As expected, only Mike, the perennial early bird was there. I brought a couple of SMB bottle openers as a gift to the early birds so he got one from me right away. Soon after, Danette arrived (so she got the other bottle opener) and we started chatting away as we feasted on crispy liempo, pakbet and fried hito.
Seven more came (Jom, Darwin, Geoff, Ashley, Kit, Vernon and Ton) and arrived one by one; most of came from work while others from spending a day with their kids. As usual, the banters focused on grade school days as we tried to remember the names of our past teachers and schoolmates. What I love about this group is that while most of the time each of us is busy being an adult, when we get together, its grade school all over again; minus the pretenses and inanity of childhood. We just let our hair down and be who we have become. I likewise feel the sincerity of these people, and while I was not really close to them in grade school (they’ve always teased me about being snobbish when we were kids) I’m doubly pleased I found them again.
Seven more came (Jom, Darwin, Geoff, Ashley, Kit, Vernon and Ton) and arrived one by one; most of came from work while others from spending a day with their kids. As usual, the banters focused on grade school days as we tried to remember the names of our past teachers and schoolmates. What I love about this group is that while most of the time each of us is busy being an adult, when we get together, its grade school all over again; minus the pretenses and inanity of childhood. We just let our hair down and be who we have become. I likewise feel the sincerity of these people, and while I was not really close to them in grade school (they’ve always teased me about being snobbish when we were kids) I’m doubly pleased I found them again.
from L to R: Darwin, Vernon, Ashley, Kit, Ton, Geoff, Me and Jom; standing: Mike and Danette
We capped the night (or morning… it was past 2AM when we left Katips) with coffee, not really wanting to separate ways just yet. Jom needed 5 more stickers to get his complementary planner so all nine of us (minus Darwin who left earlier, his flight back to California was next day) trooped to Starbucks to make our contribution. And since we took part in his success (of getting enough stickers), we told Jom we will write him a dedication on the page of our birthdays.
Geoff and Jom drove me home since they were on their way to Las Piñas. I got home a few minutes before 4AM; the latest I’ve been out on a gimmick since time immemorial. We promised to see each other again a few days after my birthday…no problem…as long as I’m not expected to pick up the tab.
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