My pet Fletcher's first cake

Easy making, DIY Large Tote bag

When My Mother Is At Her Strongest

          "One poignant lesson brought by the demise of my father is not to let a day pass without having to appreciate our elders.  We don't have to wait for them to leave us before realizing how vital their presence is or how greatly we love them.  It's a heavy pain in the heart to know that there is nothing we can do anymore, once their life is through.  No, we can never hear them call our names again, never hear their laughter again, never see their hands as they hold ours again, never see how they stare at us again, never get to hug them again, never get to see their smile again, and for my dad, I will never get to ride in his tricycle anymore (he is one very dependable and proud driver), never will I get fascinated with his creative furniture projects again and his joy when he sees how delighted I am of his work. No. Never again." 

Our Mom 

She is one simple woman with grand compassion. Never did I know nor see her look down on any person. When I was younger, I witnessed how she got bitter with life finding out that she was sick, but only to regret that she wasted a long time with unfounded agony.  She eventually got well and lived a simple life with us.  She gained my unfaltering admiration and respect during the Pinatubo eruption in June 1991, with what seemed like the end of the world with sharp lighting, large earthquakes, darkened skies (like a night it was while it was just 10:30 in the morning), and thick ash falling on all roofs (actually, collapsing roofs) and communities in the whole of Zambales, she endured the few kilometers walk just to get home to us.  She was then helping my father by accepting sew repairs of pants, skirts, and dresses which she delivered to her customers right after the same was done.  I told you, with free delivery, she is one very compassionate woman.  Haha. Oh, how proud she was while recounting how she met and was eventually interviewed by Charlie Villa, a reporter at ABS-CBN during the 'walk' and is looking forward to watching herself on TV, which was at the time very impossible because all power is out due to the disaster. 



Her Contagious Smile
       
      I forgot to tell you, how she loves to smile, to giggle, to laugh. No disaster could claim that out of her.  Her faith is unyielding.  The power she knows that will never fail her?  A mother's prayer.  No doubt she could smile at anything.  Or at anyone. A smile that my friends found to be very contagious.  The same smile that we saw prior to her major operation which she survived victoriously.  It is her strength.  Her compassion, her smile.  Her compassionate smile. 

     But when my father left us 3 months ago,  the smile faded.  I know it was never easy on her.  She lost the one man she ever loved.  The one man who never inflicted any physical pain on her.  The one man who told her not to cry when he goes on to his next mission.  Ah, my dad may not be perfect, he may not be the richest man, but he did everything to make good on his promises.  He is our rich dad.  


Her Stronghold

       At first, she told us she couldn't seem to carry on anymore.  That moment is touchy on her but I know she would restore the tenacity of the mother that she is. I have witnessed how strong she was battling any other disaster for the love of her family. And I am now witnessing how weak she is, battling the loss of her beloved.   Now I realize that a mother's strength is anchored on the genuine love she has for her family and not on any superficial possessions. 

      One time she told me how my brother assured her that we were there for her.  That, I believe, was what subconsciously brought her new hope. She never questioned God for everything that happened.  She just let her tears roll down while praying.  She never makes any promise of getting back fast.  She is just taking it by the minute:  gathering my dad's things, listening to their favorite songs, embracing their common pillow, and remembering their teenage-like conversations (even that part when they tried exploring how to use the video set-up of their non-android phone).  Quite a handful, right?  

Her New Hope

       Oh, she's a resilient fighter.  That's a giveaway depiction of her.  But when our mom was at her weakest, that was when she was at her strongest.  The hardest part in life is when you have to stand while both your feet are weak when you have to move while all systems tell you to stay still when you have to let yourself go while your heart and memory keep on holding on, when you have to open your eyes while all you want is to close them because you see your love with eyes closed when you have to go on while your life seemed to stand still because of pain, and when you have to be strong when you get comfortable being weak.  Our mom may not be the superwoman that she was once.  But because we, her children, are here to support her, SHE will be at her STRONGEST in no time.  

 Don't worry Daddy, things are a little bit unsure sometimes, but you can let go now.  With God's support, we are holding our mom's hands.  

                        And nothing is far stronger than that.

Tours and Friends: The 5-Construct to a Happy Group Tour

Tours and Friends: The 5-Construct to a Happy Group Tour: Hands up and wiggle those fingers, people! Weee!!! May it be for selfie’s, or for conventional photography, both approaches are best ta...

The 5-Construct to a Happy Group Tour

Hands up and wiggle those fingers, people! Weee!!!

May it be for selfie’s, or for conventional photography, both approaches are best taken with hand waves above shoulders matched with giggles. This is seizing happiness with people close to you, with people who never hesitate to act silly with you, with people who go Dutch with you and with people who are as courageously exploratory as you are. Of course, these people are none other than your gallant friends.

Gallantry in friendship is exponentially immortalized when you are in a good  group tour. This is the time when you learn together, spend together, be in awe together, help other people together and have good real fun together. This gives life with friends a dare to win and a curiosity to consume.

 This is the kind of group-friendship that I have. And if you have the same leaning as we did, this 5-step-construct would come as helpful when you opt to go someplace as a group, as good friends do.

1.  Plan your dynamic day trip or tour.  

Arranging a group tour must come with dynamism.  As dynamic as a smile, itinerary must be complemented with more room for surprises:  surprise location drops offs and calculated lost-ness.  Be lost in the beauty of a new place, in the taste of  new delicacies, in the grace of new dance or a new stride or a new jump, in the exploit of a new learning and in the experience of a  new lifestyle. This is conditioning what comes next is the technical side of the trip.

2.  Look for a tour agent.  

Tours need not be costly.  It only needs to be reasonable.  So when scouting for tour agencies, be very particular with the itinerary and cost of each package offered.  Most agencies are going the extra mile to custom arrange your preferred destinations within your cut-rate.  

3.  "Let's go Dutch" budget.

Budget will make or unmake the whole tour, so everyone must know how they are contributing  in terms of transportation, entrances, food and drinks and contingency fund.  Going Dutch means fair appropriation and contribution.  Though you are not underestimating  your friends' generosity, it is however, not to be abused.  Everyone must be sensible when it comes to money matters.  That's how respect is maintained in the group.  Should there be anyone who volunteered to shoulder any cost, that friend deserves  the group's pat at the back, good lovin' and good huggin'.  

4.  Ready  your food, drinks and whatever comes with it.

Excitement might pre-empt the food preparation.  As this is bound to happen, somebody has to take-charge in this area.  When the excitement subsides and the long trip gradually takes its toll, food is the first thing everyone remembers.  If food is the 'comfort belt' of every trip,  cold water or juices is the re-hydration defense. Meanwhile, while munching on your homemade cookies, sit back and prepare to enjoy the fun core of the trip. Absorb the views and munch on it. wink!

5.  Be ready to enjoy while you explore and get lost.

Leave those baggage, take the walk, err, the run and get lost with the group.  Everything new will have your hands full.  Smile while you get lost in the beauty of the place, in the silliness of a new thing and the intricacies of a new culture/lifestyle.  Your readiness to these things will define the whole experience of the group.  This is again, conditioning.  This should be the backpacked-mindset of the group.  Your eyes is the vent to the whole adventure and your attitude will consume it.  Be in awe and you'll definitely have an overload of fun, people.

Meantime, do you know where you could find these patios covered with pink flowers that seemed to house no one?  I'm lost.  

                            But I'm having fun being lost. 
                                 
                                          Are you?

Godwin's Tours and Travels

Father's Love is Forever