LETTER IN AN AQUARIUM GLASS

Letter in an aquarium glass

   

         On that busy day I received a text from my brother that my father is in the hospital. When I heard that news I feel weak. Seeing my father in bed of sickness. No way his the one who taught me how to be strong. But now here he is lying on bed. Yes I became stronger because of the way he nurture me but seeing him on that situation made me cry. Its not new to me because since I was young he has this illness. But now its different  his in and out of the hospital. I pray to God  to extend the life of my father. I have still dreams for him that he may  see the fruits of his labor. Not all people could  understand him  but since he is my father the blood of my blood and the flesh of my flesh I learn to understand him. He is my greatest fan and critics as well. But in all  this course he is my greatest motivator. He push me to my limits.
    When I was a child I was very shy that I hide myself  to anybody. But now I can talk to different kinds of people from all walks of life; that is because my father push me to my limits. I remember those times that we have big arguments to the point that he curse me.
    My greatest fan became my greatest enemy that time. And since he curse me I leave our house telling to myself that I won't return till I prove myself to him. That I can stand on my own and I will be successful on my own account. I will prove to him that he is wrong.
    With just a hundred pesos I try to stand on my own, telling myself that I can make it. for almost a year of leaving our home with  no news or communication with my family I cried every moment but I try to control my emotions.
    One day I dreamed I heard a voice calling my name and a shadow appeared handling me an aquarium glass with a letter inside that addresses to me. The voice told me to forgive him from all his shortcomings and use the valuable lessons that he taught me and leave the things that is not valuable. Later on I recognized  that is my father's voice.
     It is just a dream but I cried a bucket of tears till I wake up I'm still crying . My subconscious told me that even my father curse me I still love him and I can't forgive myself if something worst  happened to him. The next day I decided to return to our home and thanks God my father is alive and kicking. We are not that expressive just a look on each others eyes we can express the deepest sentiments to each other. That's why even we have no communication that time our heart speak.
     During those times I learn to forgive my father I also learn to accept him the way he is and I understand why his acting that way. I learn to understand why he push me to my limits to the point that he curse me. That is because he want me to be successful, to get out of my cocoon, stand on my own and fly high. In the end I want to thank my father. He taught me to be strong, courageous, independent and a champion.
     Like that letter inside  the aquarium glass I understand that my father's love to me is very fragile that he takes care of me not to harmed by anybody. He protect me  in the core of his heart. But like that aquarium  glass he removed the water for me not to drown and he allow it to be opened so I can explore the world.
     Let's restore, reunite and love our basic community which is our family. May the good Lord bless our family.

Letter in an aquarium glass

   
 

WASHING OF FEET

   Lenten season is a moment of reflection. I asked lot of questions nobody dare to answer till I searched for an answer stop quit and renew.

     Last month a group of sister friends had our household in a fish spa. Sis Let our Household Head organize the said events. It is very homy and a very comfortable place.On a later part its the day should I say retreat of our feet:)

Since its a full day of field work it helps me a lot to relax and pamper not only my feet but my whole being.

     Those little tiny fishes tickle my feet and according to our generous sponsor they came from foreign land which mean they are international tiny little fishes who went here in the Philippines only to serve and pamper our feet.         Much to talk about but during the process it reminds me of Jesus Washing of feet to His beloved disciples. Jesus love and care much to His disciples He do it personally. Well being generous he can prepare the basin with water and let them wash their feet alone. They are on their right age and know what is wrong and right. But Jesus do it not only for the disciples but for us to imitate that He the Son of God humbly serve and clean the feet of his beloved disciples.

     "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. " (John 13:14)

In John's account, what did Jesus suggest that the washing of feet symbolized? He tells Peter that the washing of his feet symbolizes forgiveness of his sin to return him to a "clean" relationship with God. It is only logical to deduce that God expects nothing less from us in response to the sins of our brethren. In the section of the Sermon on the Mount on prayer, Jesus says: "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15)

     Literally my feet is exposed to dust and dirt especially when I'm on the field doing my job. And as I did my reflection how many times do I wash my feet? Like when my life is expose to temptation how many times I have to repent? But surely God always said clean each other feet like what I did. And I said I'm tired can I quit and hide my feet so dust and dirt will don't stick to it ? And God answer my child you are part of me and being part of me you have to serve others like I did? But Abba Father how can I serve them if I  on my own experiencing desert in my life.

     “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10) and he added My child healthy people don't need a doctor sick people do (Matthew 9:12). " I call you to become fishers of men" I couldn't utter much words to express but tears flow from my eyes that God loves me despite my inadequacy and He gave me chances to renew and repent. That moment I said "Lord I allow you to work in my life here I am a sinner cleans me.

Foot for the Gods by the Cinderella sisters

Anong Oras Puedeng Magkasakit?

     "Ang kalusugan ay kayamanan" "Sa Panahon ngayon bawal magkasakit" ,ilan lamang ito sa mga kataga na dapat pakatandaan lalo na ng mga kababayan nating kapus-palad.
     Lumiban ako sa trabaho dala ng pagkakasakit at siempre para may katibayan kailangan ko ng "medical certificate" galing sa isang doktor na ako nga ay nagkasakit at puede na ulit bumalik sa trabaho. Ang una kong pinuntahan ay sa Health Center sa munisipyo ngunit sabi ng aking napagtanungan dapat daw sa  Barangay Health Center daw ako magrequest ng "Medical Certificate". Pagdating sa Barangay Health Center walang doktor bumalik na lang daw ako sa ibang araw at ibang oras o kung gusto ko daw puntahan ko sya sa isa pang barangay at dahil nasimulan ko na pumunta nga ako sa barangay na yaon. dumating ako ng ala-una sabi ng doktor alas dos pa daw magbubukas ang Barangay Health Center. Sa loob ng isang oras ng paghihintay dama ko  na kapag libre at walang bayad ang serbisyo ay tipid na tipid at halos ayaw kang atupagin. Sa pagkakaalam ko may kaukulang bayad din ang mga health worker sa barangay subalit bakit di nagagawang maayos ang kanilang tungkulin. Huwag ka ng manungkulan kung ayaw mong maglingkod sa taumbayan. Pagkatapos ng isang oras hinarap ako ni Dr. Kulapo. "Anong kailangan mo?" "Medical Certificate " po sa isang sinabi ko sandamakmak na tanong at galit ang inabot ko kesyo bumalik daw ako sa barangay at kunin ang records.
     Minsan sa halip na gumaling ka pag tulad ni Dr. Kulapo ang dokotr lalo kang magkakasakit dahil salita pa lang nya ay lason na tuturete sa iyong pandinig hanggang sa pumasok  sa himaymay ng iyong isipan. Wala na akong sakit ng pumunta ako kay Dr. Kulapo subalit pagkatapos kung marinig ang mga salitang di makain ng hayop ay nanghina ako. Di bale na lang punta na lang ako sa pampublikong hospital. May cut-off dapat umaga pa lang nandun ka na. Kayat kinabukasan inagahan ko ang pagpunta, wala daw doktor. Dama ko di lang sakit sa katawan meron ang mamayang Pilipino. Una nandyan din ang sakit sa bulsa, pangalawa sakit na moral dahil pag alam na may sakit ka sa bulsa ooopppps....... maghintay ka hanggang sa ikaw ay maambunan ng awa. Ngayon alam ko na kung bakit 'yon iba ay pinipiling manatili na lang sa bahay kaysa pumunta sa ospital. Maliban na nga lang kung may pera ka at sa "five star na hospital ka pumunta. Kaya nga tinawag na ospital dahil aasikasohin ka pero pag wala kang pera sorry ka na lang.
     Eleksyon na dapat isa ito sa mga pagtuunan ng pansin ng ating mga mahal na mambabatas. At kung sa munisipyo tuwing lunes ay lingguhang pagtitipon ganuun din dapat sa ospital upang maorient din ang mga heath workers lalo na sa pampublikong ospital at "heath centers."
     Sa huli pumunta ako sa pribadong klinika maayos, malinis at nakangiti ang mga staff pagsalubong pa lang dahil sa magandang bati tyak na gagaling ka.
    Sa puntong ito nais kong manawagan sa lahat ng nagtatrabaho sa mga pampublikong hospital at Barangay Health Center pakiusap mahalaga ang papel na ginagamapanan nyo di dahil maliit lang na distrito ang nasasakupan nyo ibaba nyo na ang level nyo sa pagseserbisyo. Kung di nyo na kaya sabihin sa kinauukulan upang matulungan o mapalitan kayo sa inyong puwesto kaysa naman nandyan kayo at naghihintay lang ng mahuhulog na butiki. Sa aming mga mahal na manggagamot nanunmpa kayo na gagamutin ang mga maysakit di lang ang mga may pera dapat po'y alalahanin ang inyong pinanumpaang tungkulin. Sa mga kababayan kong Pilipino ingatan at alagaan natin ang ating mga sarili upang di na umabot na mabaon pa sa utang dahil sa sakit.
     At bilang Pilipino panatilihin natin ang kalinisan, ngiti at sigla sa ating buhay. Dahil sabi nga "laughter is the best medicine" and "Cleanliness is next to Godliness"