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Sunday, December 30, 2007

Soap for the soul

  A friend gave me a bar of soap which she said might help lighten the big, dark scar on my left leg. But it took me some time before I actually used it. It was more out of not wanting to disappoint her that I tried it rather than a desire to recoup on the promise of fairer skin.

While unblemished skin is regarded by most people as an asset, my not having such is not too bad. I have learned to look at my unsightly scar as a reminder of the kind of person I am. Like a battle scar, it speaks of what I am capable of doing in the presence of danger. My unconcern for disguising it also shows my distaste for pretensions and excessive vanity.

But when thoughts turn to emotional scars, sometimes I wish someone would concoct  a double-acting soap with properties to lighten, if not get rid of, the hurts. I wish that with daily  use, the "kirot" would subside and in its place a resolve to forget the reasons behind the pain. The scrubbing and the rinsing should at least make faint the anger and the resentments until they are no more.

Is the placenta soap working on lightening the scar on my leg? It's too soon to tell! But  I will be marketing soon a soap for the soul. Its active ingredient is  "Forgiveness" and I can vouch for its effectiveness. Since I decided to use it, the wound in my soul has started healing.The dark scar, slowly fading. Oh so slowly, but getting there!

Friday, December 28, 2007

Mat & Mot




The department's dynamic (and oh so cute!) duo

Friday, December 21, 2007

Sunday dinner at Sicilian




We're celebrating Papa's, Ling's and Neneth's birthdays here.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

UP Psych Handog 2007




Boyette's homecoming




After more than 12 years, Boyette got to spend 5 days on holiday in Manila, en route to a new assignment in Guam

Friday, December 14, 2007

Mga Kaibigan




High school classmates, College buddies, Former and present colleagues, SVD & parish friends...

On being 51 to her 85

                                                 

     When Mama was 51, I was 17. I was midway through my freshman year in college. Where was she, what was she doing at the stage of her life? Did she have the same concerns about her children which I am going through at present? Did she have doubts about decisions she had made. Was she as uncertain of the future then as I am now?

     I remember being at the crossroads. Feisty and independent yet full of insecurities. Discovering exciting things yet also looking back to the comforts of familiarity. Did I cause her much anxiety? Was she proud of what I was trying to do at that age?

     I also remember that those were the most trying of times. Were her fears more for Papa than for us at that time? (Martial law=incarceration!!!) How did she cope with this crisis? How did we survive?

      It would have been nice to ask her these questions. It would have been enlightening to hear her answers. But her illness prevents her from telling me about the mother she heroically tried to be all these years. Nonetheless, it is great that she continues to teach me life's lessons at age 85!

 (Photo by Gari Buenavista - http://pananaw.multiply.com)

Mama's 85th birthday celebration


Or January 31, 1923 so we celebrate again next month

Surprise party last Dec. 12, 2007 attended by Mama's friends from the Handmaids of Sacred Heart Parish & her favorite relatives. Dinner was at Ling's house.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Filipiniana


Our first family portrait for our annual Christmas card taken in our new home