Martes, Setyembre 27, 2011

ONE DAY

“One day” – two words that always set in motion our story telling at bedtime  to lull our kids to sleep.  Yet for dreamers like me, these little words could spell  big hope for a wish to become real someday.  But for prophets, “one day”  is a sure thing to happen at an appointed time in the near or far future. 

In a span of one’s lifetime, some episodes would mark occasional absences of joy, friendship and love.  Yet, even if “absence” is a lonely word, it no longer stays forever.  And one  day, somewhere, somehow, that long long silence  will be broken.  And absence will be no more.

Meeting old friends truly brings inexplicable joy!  And I thank the Lord for having allowed me to meet a friend one afternoon, after 43 years of absence.  That was a moment to remember!  The precious few hours spent eating and chatting created new friendship memories  that I'll forever treasure.

Yet there is one surest thing  to happen to each one of us one day.  Yes, we all will meet our Creator face to face!   And in His presence,  there'll be no more absence of love, joy and friendship.    You will be filled with the purest love and immeasurable joy!  And when that day comes, will you smile and run fast to His loving, waiting arms and feel the warmth of His embrace?


Life here on earth is but a journey
Where joys and tears cling in harmony
The busy clock ticks one by one
Till sun breaks through another dawn.

Living sometimes counts so many seasons
At times, just for a simple reason
Yet it’s not how long or short we’d stay
It’s how we live each special day.

Our Father sets all time and space
So let us run and win the race
One day when all is said and done
He’d sweetly call by name, each one. 

And on that day we all would smile
Like pretty rainbows in the sky
God’s promises are always sure
God’s perfect love will last and endure.

"One day" is such a lovely moment
It’s meeting Someone Who knew us for so long
It’s going back to where we belong
It’s being in a safe place called . . . "Our Home".






Biyernes, Setyembre 9, 2011

TAYONG DALAWA


Date  :  April 11, 1975 (the day before our wedding)
Time  :  2:00 p.m.
Place :  Our Lady of Sorrows Parish  in Pasay city


The Shocking News
We were finalizing the preparations for our wedding the next day when the Parish secretary broke a shocking news:  "Your wedding has been cancelled!"  The reason?  Ernie failed to submit his baptismal certificate!   Alarmed with the pronouncement, we pleaded and promised to complete the requirements after the wedding.  But the decision was final.  The secretary reiterated:  "There will be no wedding here tomorrow!"  

First and Second Miracles
We rushed to our Sts. Peter & Paul church in Makati and sought  the Parish Priest's  help.  And the first miracle happened.   Right there and then, Ernie was baptized!   The second?   "Tuloy ang kasal",   not in Pasay but in Makati!  Same day and hour as originally scheduled:  April 12, 1975 at 10:00 a.m. 

We saw how God moved that day.  I knew He did not allow us to exchange our vows in Pasay.   He wanted it   in our parish where Ernie and I would religiously hear mass on Sundays; and where in one little corner we would proceed after each mass to pray before  the Crucified Christ. 

Third and Fourth Miracles
We planned for  a very simple wedding.  For a modest church fee, we agreed on the  following arrangements:  There will be no mass  nor the usual paraphernalia (except the rings) during the ceremony.  Ernie and I  would just be flashing ourselves right  in front of the altar.    But to our surprise, the wedding march  played and I was asked to walk down the aisle.  So with my wondering smile, I  marched with my father escorting me, with only a pair of principal sponsors (Ninong Tony and Ninang Mary) making up my entourage.  And the third miracle happened!    There was a mass!  And the fourth?  The church was splendidly adorned  with beautiful flowers befitting a posh wedding!  The truth is, there was a 7:00 am classy wedding and the decorations were left there for us! 


A Comedy Skit
Unprepared for the big changes that day,  minor distractions ensued as the wedding rites were solemnized.  Since we did not have the paraphernalia like the arrhae, my brother did an emergency collection of 13 one-peso coins, while my auntie swiftly snatched the veil and cord from the parish cabinet.   Some officemates performed their unofficial duties as secondary sponsors:  lighting the candle, placing the veil and the cord.  It was just like a comedy skit on stage.  Oh  you should have seen  the big smiles on all faces.  


That was the Day
There will always be a time for everything.  After being childhood classmates and friends for 5 years, doing for him that bridging role for the apple of his eyes (1957-62), teen-age sweethearts for 7 months (January to August, 1962), mortal enemies and perfect strangers for 3 years (1962-65),  reconciled sweethearts  playing a "galit-bati" love relationship for 10 years (1965-75), Ernie and I finally agreed to spend the rest of our lives together with all our differences and imperfections.  We played major roles in one of God's vineyards as husband and wife, father and mother, building a family, a little church.  We enjoyed the romantic stage of married life, passed the most difficult tests during the disillusionment stage, finally enjoying the joy stage, serving God as workers of the Wedded Hearts for Jesus ministry.  


Two in One
God has perfectly chosen two imperfect souls as partners to build one lasting and fruitful relationship.  He brought together two strangers to accomplish one sacred mission.   In the process, He has equipped each marriage with all the gifts and the graces to withstand life's hurricanes and earthquakes.    And marriage is a commitment.  God, who is the author of marriage will always play His role  as the only Third Party Who will truly make it work.  And remember:  God did not make a mistake in His pairing process.  You were MFEO (Meant For Each Other)!  


Yet we still could have another mission.  We could be a couple for others and be part of God's business!   Look! The harvest is plenty but the workers are few.  Are you ready to heed God's call?  Do you want to be a blessing to others? 




Ikaw at ako’y magkaibang-magkaiba
Pinili na Niya di pa man nagkikita
Sa dinami-rami ng  tao sa mundo
Kanyang pinag-isa, puso mo’t puso ko.

Di man laging kulay rosas itong ating mundo
Di pa Siya nagkulang, at hindi magbabago
Siya’y may kasagutan sa bawat suliranin
Kanyang tinutugon ang bawat dalangin.

Napakaganda ng  pangarap Niya
Sa iyo, sa akin, sa ating dalawa.
Tunay na  pag-ibig na ating nadama
Ating  ipabatid, ibahagi sa iba.

Ikaw at ako,  nais Niya,  tayong dal’wa
Maging pagpapala sa bawat  pamilya
Maging katugunan, kasangga’t kaagapay
Habang mayro’ng  lakas, habang may buhay.



Here's Ernie and Rose spending life together for 33 years with all its complexities till 
Sept. 16, 2008 when Ernie went back home.











Let me share also Bob Braun's all-time-favorite.  It's all about our vows.