8/30: My family. I think I said this before. :)
I just looove this family photo Sheila took of us. Look at Isaac’s face! (:
Something happened to our family when Daddy passed away. We became more thoughtful than indifferent, more encouraging than critical, more accepting than judgmental, more gracious than proud. We learned to be more accountable to each other and more appreciative of each other’s time and effort, something that has kept me afloat especially in trying times.
It’s sad when I hear people say that they want to succeed in life because they want to prove their family wrong. It makes me even more thankful that I grew up in an environment where encouragements are overflowing and affirmations are given more emphasis than criticisms. Growing up, I know I strive to be better not because I want to prove my family wrong, but because I want to make them proud.
I miss them. I know they’re just in the next city, a taxi cab away. Besides, I always see them in church. But a month into this married life, and I often get this “so-near-yet-so-far” feeling whenever I think of my family, especially now that David and I are starting our own.
Today’s three beautiful things, inspired by thoughts of the family I sooo miss:
1. Waking up to a text message from my mother, who always seems to know what to say when she needs to say it. This morning, she texted, “Everyday, find out what you are and be that. Decide what comes first and do that. Discover your strengths and use them. Learn not to compete with others because no one else is in contest of being YOU. You’re fearfully and wonderfully made, there’s only one YOU in the world.”
Such wisdom. Thanks, Mom. (:
And I sure do miss midnights back in Caloocan when she would knock on my bedroom door with 2 tumblers of tea–one for me and one for her–and we would just talk about anything and everything to the wee hours of the night, morning after. Good times.
2. Kuya Nikos’ chicken enchilada, which I also once blogged about here. He cooked for us last Friday, and we ate leftovers until two days after. Mmmm, I can still taste it in my mouth.
3. Isaac’s posts and comments on Facebook. Yes, the little boi has a facebook account. “Aw aw”, he would randomly post here and there. Of course we all know it’s either Ate Imy or Kuya Nate who posts those stuff, but still, the thought of him really posting on Facebook is just plain adorable! Having Isaac around is a real joy.
