great ordinary happenings

It’s good to be home, just arrived today! Didn’t I miss my blog, I also mean all of you who have visited me here while I was away!

This is indeed a special day to be back, I’ve really looked forward to honor the memory of my beloved parents today – September 15. My father was a registered nurse, my mother was a teacher. I remember her as a very gentle lady who wouldn’t miss the daily Mass. (I’d find myself wondering what was in the church when I was yet small, and couldn’t yet grasp these spiritual values.) In their old age, my father was her constant companion in this daily endeavor, their holding hands was a usual sight.

Happy, blessed wedding anniversary then to my long-missed, dearest Papa and Mama! I can imagine you lovingly looking down from heaven on all of us, your now-burgeoning clan!

Since I attended that one special affair I have already planned to share my own experience of our parents’ golden wedding anniversary (“Many memories came to me, as I sat silently inside the chapel…”) , so what more fitting day than today, a celebration of such a milestone in their family life.

Long before, even more than 10 years farther back from that looked-forward-to family special day, my thoughts had been hounded by an obsession. I’d dream of this occasion to be celebrated in a grand way, as a tribute to honor, give recognition, and pay due respects to our beloved parents, who had lovingly and untiringly raised nine of us successfully – successfully in the sense that we have all been brought up educated, instilling in us the values of discipline, prayer, and that of being God-loving (God-fearing, if you like).

All those years, I’d cringe at the thought as, much as I’d desire for such a dream to materialize, there would always be the question of expense. How could it be done? Even the barest minimum of such a celebration would cost thousands, think of all those dresses/gowns for such an affair, and the fares to gather in one place! Not to mention the schooling of all those who would participate (the studies of our five children, who were yet in the kinder/elementary years, would be affected, but I had already accepted this eventuality for that once-in-a-lifetime happening). To aggravate my musings: what if others in the family would brush aside the idea for the reason of financial restraints? But the seed of the dream was planted in the desires of my heart, nurtured by constant thought about it, which would then become a continuous silent prayer. Oh, if it could only truly be! As for me, if only I would have the means, I wouldn’t mind to spend for the occasion single-handedly, generously giving to where any amount would be needed, be it for fare or gown, whatever. But this was just up to the will, for how could I do it? Still my imagination would go on! Our girls would be marching down the aisle in their flowing golden gowns – beautiful cuties Cookie and Carey, not far behind the cute and also-lovely youngest, Daisy.

(to be continued…)

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