Live today as if it is your last

LIFE is SHORT, we do not know how long shall we live and enjoy things in this world. It is best to live each day with righteousness because any day can be our last chance to serve the Lord and do good to other people. This idea crept into my mind when my grandma informed me that a relative passed away due to an accident.

I hardly slept that night after hearing the news, pictures of some people I know who faced untimely death kept flashing on my memory. Were they prepared to meet God? Do they deserve salvation? It is a fact that we will all die but no one can foretell when or how. 

Anytime or anyhow, are you ready?

broken homes, broken hearts

Marriage is a foundation in building a new home where love, trust and care must dwell. Out of love, children are added to complete a family. Married couples always start a new life together happily and hope to make it last. Problems and trials come to test their strength and faith, some survived to fight against all odds but others failed to save the previous thing they let loose. The kids fall as victims to their parents' wrong decision. 

Sharing thoughts from my very own experience, dealing with life's challenges is harder for a child who went through such kind of pain. As couples break apart, it's not just the home that goes broken, their children's hearts are crushed too.

How do you measure Happiness?

Each of us has different definitions of the word HAPPINESS and we have our own ways of measuring it. Are you truly glad? Are you satisfied with your life? How would you know...?

Happiness is not measured by our laughter & cheers. Having many friends, close family ties, life's achievements and wealth - none of these is an assurance for one's perfect happiness. It is only with God that a person can say he is completely happy & content.

The truth is, happiness cannot be measured. It is fathomless.

A HEART FOR ART

my little left-handed artist

      At age 6, I had fondness to draw anything that came to mind or whatever I found interesting in sight. I used to create illustrations with stories behind which I can articulately tell to anyone who would ask. My mother usually took me to some relatives who would demand for my work in exchange of a few coins which enticed me to create more drawings artistically. Each year I was learning more and more through constant practice and techniques from my Uncle Evan who has passion for art during his youth. I have earned not just money but also appreciation from friends & classmates by simply approving their requests to do certain drawing projects at school.  

       When I happened to meet my real father during high school years, it was when I discovered that I inherited the skill from him. I think mentioning about my writing prowess which came from my mom is needed here or else she wouldn’t love reading my post hehehe. After knowing my Papa Dodong way back 1998, I had a month-long stay in Dapitan to meet my siblings. My sweet sister Arianne, an avid story listener was 8 years old then and Kim, my 4-year old brother was too curious about my hobby. Oftentimes, he approached me bringing pencil and paper with so much excitement on what I was planning to draw. A day will never pass without giving him a little pleasure through my simple sketches. He loved to draw too and it feels good to hear news from him that in several interschool contests, he consistently made it to the top.

      

      Now that I have a 3-year old son, I want him to acquire such ability. Luckily, he’s been showing so much interest in drawing so, I bought him a drawing board w/ pen which he always keeps close even during bedtime and carries anywhere we go if possible. Carl Jaybert shows off his talent through asking me to draw first then, he remembers my strokes and right after erasing what I drew, he comes up forming the same thing with his little pen. It is my happiness to see him imitating me, like my father and brother who have a heart for art. 

ON THE BED OF ILLNESS

Woeful teardrops in countless fall,

Profound wish of a saddened soul,

Wanting to flee beyond sturdy wall

Of sickness that seemed incurable.

Deep stream of hope have turned shallow

But springs of faith unceasingly outflow

To water up parched field of sorrow

For planted seeds of wishes to grow

Speak a plea for longer length of stay

If granted or not, come what may

Sad yet ready if it all ends today

A life well lived is a good memory

For in this short and borrowed LIFE

The Lord has all the will and might

Anything goes but we can’t ask Him why?

We’re unworthy servants having no right.

(Riza Del M. Talanda , 4-4-2013 / 2:00 AM)

FAMILY Is Worth Keeping

 (beautiful quote by Eva Burrows)

I understand those who dream to belong to a family they can call their very own because I was once like them. Growing up with the guidance of relatives rather than spending even half of this life with parents will never ever be the least choice picked by anyone.

The feeling of incomplete happiness, wishful longing, self-pity and envy are too heavy for a delicate heart to bear. Most people say that children who were born outside wedlock or raised in a broken family are rebellious, strong-willed and untamed. I admit to have been one of those misjudged or criticized by others because of my behaviour and attitude during my youth. But as time turned fast, I have matured and learned to discern what’s right and wrong.

Now that God granted my wish of having a FAMILY, I’m determined and faithful to keep it intact for I don’t want my children to go through the dark and lonely path I have once traveled.      

Love your FAMILY! 

Her Ultimate Sacrifice for Him

      
      She gave up her chemotherapy to give way for his husband’s immediate operation and medication. A few months back, she wept in silence on a bus towards home as series of tests disclosed the shocking cause of several discomfort and pain she’s been feeling for months. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is a mother of 3 children, wife of an ordinary man who dreamed and wished to live a happy, simple and healthy life with her family.

     Dealing with poverty was never easy for her but she stood strong through tougher tests and even serious illness. She went through major operation and chemotherapy twice which caused baldness. I never saw her sob or heard her say anything negative about her condition, despite what happened; she still managed to laugh out loud and move the usual way.

       But she was unable to complete her medication because her husband got sick with cancer too (colorectal/colon cancer). Every time I ask if she's done taking her doctor-prescribed medicines, she always answers "He needs the medicines more than I do. We have insufficient budget for his daily supply." They only rely on other people's donations in order to sustain his medical needs, it's good to know that relatives, friends and even strangers and other government institutions have willingly extended financial support but it's never enough because of his increasing need and demand for medical treatment. Though needing more rest and medical attention, she chose to never leave his side. Their daughter had stopped schooling to assist her in the hospital. She was there from day one up to the point that her husband’s health condition became worse - he has gone through 3 successive operations due to complications, there were times he had breathing difficulty; pain is his merciless oppressor. That was the time I saw her cry, she broke down in tears and felt so depressed.  

I salute how great & pure her love is which manifested through her ultimate sacrifice!

          I’m talking about my Uncle’s wife, Auntie Ana - a woman of strength and hope whose love is truly unconditional! Can we do the same sacrifice as she does? 

          I wish and pray that she also gets the treatment she badly needs. God is our hope and strength!