You're a Rose

(for Auntie Cleofe)

Among the parade of lovely blossoms,
In the garden, one bud gracefully blooms,
That adorns the world with elegance,
And attracts everyone to take a glance.

The earth takes pride to see how it grew,
Into a Rose our hearts were attached to,
With petals of red, white, yellow, pink or blue,
That simple yet beautiful bud was you.

You’re a Rose that takes us into captivity,
Of your irresistible traits, scent and beauty,
You bring smile and joy despite adversity,
You signify hope, peace, love and infinity.

You’re a Rose that stands with thorns that prick,
But harms no one whether tough or weak,
Amidst storms and winds you never break,
You live strong and great for others’ sake.


"Thanks for being such an inspiration Auntie!
We wish and pray for your good health
physically, emotionally and spiritually..."

Your niece, 
Tabom

Finding True Love

(Proverb 18:22)

In a crowd of millions, how will you search? 
     Someone who accepts your strengths and weaknesses,
And share sweet lifetime with you on earth, 
     For finding TRUE LOVE is one of the hardest. 

In this surprise-filled life, you will come across, 
     Someone you hold hands with in the longest journey,
That one person who loves you at your best or worse,
      Who sees 'YOU' alone even choices are many. 

Through broken roads, ruined bridges and rocky steeps, 
     You may pass clueless to where it would lead,
But what awaits for a heart that goes unsmooth trips,
      Is God's best reward, the One that you need. 

For in the Lord's holy book has been bound, 
      If you entrust everything to Him with great belief, 
The TRUE LOVE you're searching for will be found, 
      A good spouse is a favor to receive- a God's gift. 


This poem is for my husband, JAY...
      I thank GOD for leading me to you! 
      I love you!

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?

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

When my Uncle was still in the hospital struggling for his life, I often heard him say "I'm tired" but he was also boldly telling everyone "I'm ready"

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)

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!

God’s Rejection Is Sometimes Protection

There may be countless plans we had in mind that were never realized. There may be expectations that never happened, wishes that were not granted or prayers that seem to be unheard for we didn’t understand the way answers were given. God has loved us so much that He only wants what’s best for us.  Not all the time that each of our specified request is provided just like how we think it should be. It is important to accept and comprehend God’s own way as well as His timing. Sometimes, our requests are rejected because He knows it won’t be good for us as it may bring threat to our life or faith.

No matter how confused and doubtful we are of what’s happening around, it is best to trust God’s will and plan. If the mind cannot fathom, let the heart do the understanding and we will be at peace, waiting and trusting for what’s about to be given in due time.

I Love You : Say and Prove it...

 

“I Love You” is the most common statement that even my 3-year old kid knows how to pronounce well. These are the last words I always hear from my husband before my eyes shut and my mind forgets everything every bedtime. Couples, lovers, family members and friends do exchange this overly used phrase most of the time and it truly strengthens the bond.

These words are so romantic when expressed through writing and even sweeter when spoken. But, do we really mean when we say it to someone? 

Saying is not enough yet proving the truthfulness of our words through actions makes our expression more meaningful and genuine.

Are we ready this 2013?

Another year unfolds, what's in store for us this 2013? 
Are we ready for new challenges and experiences? 

In 2012...
Whatever mistakes we've done, have we regretted?
Whatever pains & failures we've had, have we moved on?
Whatever things we've gone through, have we learned?  
Whatever good things we received, have we been thankful?

We always prepare a list of resolutions for each coming year, have we completed even half of it? 

As a new year begins, have we prayed for guidance? 
Have we asked God to help us become better & renewed?

We cannot say we're READY unless we have entrusted everything to the Lord, have we?  

Battle Against Cancer...

With much pity and worry, I felt a light pinch in my heart upon seeing my auntie's bald head. She is one of more than a million victims of breast cancer around the world. 

I admire how she shows strength, hope and faith that despite her present condition, she can manage to laugh and act normally as if nothing is causing her pain and sorrow. If you were to watch her with a covering on head, you cannot guess the kind or level of physical and emotional pain as well as fear she struggles to overcome day by day. 

Going through quite a few series of chemotherapy after surgery is a difficult stage for breast cancer patients like my auntie who never resign to the hope of recovering from such life-threatening illness. They  need our love, care, support, comfort and prayers as they battle against cancer. 

You must be lucky and thankful for being spared from such ailment this time but it is vital to have total awareness and knowledge about preventive measures for the sake of all important women in your life : it can be your grandma, mom, wife, aunts, sister, daughter, girlfriend and female buddies or even yourself (if you're a girl) - everyone may fall a victim.

I found this website very informative and helpful for you to learn: 

Everything About Breast Cancer
                  (click above link)

Take Time...

T A K E  T I M E

unknown author

- a meaningful poem -

If we only TAKE TIME to do what is important and meaningful, we get to know the real essence of LIFE.

And If we do, we can say we've LIVED with WORTH and MEANING, in SPLENDOR and BEAUTY.

Even when our TIME on earth gets OVER then, we'll find no REGRETS but only GOOD MEMORIES to leave as MARKS to the hearts of the people whom we have shared great and purposeful TIME with.

Appreciate Life...

When you learn to APPRECIATE the simple things you have,

you get to explore more reasons to be GRATEFUL.

If you hold the key of CONTENTMENT, 

the gateway to HAPPINESS will be unlocked.

Being able to wake up each morning and breathe alive

is more than ENOUGH to THANK the LORD for. 

A Good Fisherman

 Every time I think of seas and see fishermen,

My memory brings me back to the very tender years of my life,

I remember my GRANDPA (Lolo Pedro).

I'm reminded of how he painstakingly worked for his family,

How he gloriously raised his seven children and loved them,

including me (his first grandchild) till he breathed his last.

My salute to all the FISHERMEN for their noble occupation!

Love & Respect Due To Parents

REMEMBER How your Parents Nurtured You 

when You were YOUNG,

DON'T FORGET to Take Care of Them 

when They Grow OLD...

Stairway to Success

When you have fear of FAILURE,    

     

You cannot start even a single step towards SUCCESS!

A Joyful Heart

A JOYFUL HEART knows what HAPPINESS means.