Happy Memories

For a change and for the sake of an ambiance of celebration, we decided to have our supper during my birthday (May 24) and for my Sacerdotal Anniversary (May 25) on the small veranda in front of my room. Nothing fancy about this dinner, just the usual fare, the only thing that was changed is the venue.

After all, the rectory is humid. For the past three years, I just tried to endure this situation. Even in my bedroom, the air conditioner cannot cool the room because the adjacent chapel roof reflects the heat of the sun. I hope that I can remedy this situation soon.

Going back to what I am saying, we had al fresco dinners for the past two nights.

It was fun because I am not busy at all. If this were just one of those usual celebrations I had in the past, I would be running around trying to make sure that everything is in order. I think this is the Obsessive-Compulsive part of me. I always wanted to make sure that my guests will not be left out. There is a story behind this attitude which I would save to tell for another day.

Since I was just relaxed, I got the time to have small talks and some banter with my sisters. There was a different pace of things that I was not able to experience if I was playing host. I remember when my mother was still alive (although she was already sick at that time) she gave me a birthday cake as shown in the cover picture of this blog. I think it was way back in 2016. I really treasure this picture because this was the last birthday that I celebrated with my mother.

Yet, even then, I just spent a few moments with her, and then I went back to my room to resume whatever I was working at that time. I think I am like a bee that is always busy sometimes with things that matter, and most of the time, with those that do not matter at all.

One of my regrets was that I should have treasured those moments more.

Maybe this was an attitude that I may have learned in the seminary, and even perhaps before I came to the seminary. I do not really know how I developed this attitude. But, I have this attitude that I wanted events to be over as soon as possible because I wanted to go back to the things that I considered more important.

This attitude made me missed to “savour,” and treasure events as they slowly change into memories.

As I was talking with my sisters on those lovely nights, we recalled those events in the past that I have missed remembering. Little things that they remember, but I cannot. Maybe, it is because they are better than me in treasuring those moments.

I think this is the best gift I received during this unique moment in our history, as we are amid a pandemic that cost so many lives and endangers more.

This gift is to realize that there is no need to be fancy or “bonggacious” to enjoy life. There is no need for so many people to make you feel happy.

It only takes a few who matter the most that can make you transform the ordinary events into treasures to remember.

Post Script:

Thank you very much for all who made this year’s celebration memorable, you know who you are.

You are all God’s gift to me because despite the hardship of life at present you remembered me on my special days and became God’s channels of love for me.

You know my practice that I do not make public the names of those who do kind deeds to me because I do not want to steal your rewards in heaven.

May God bless your generous hearts, and may He remember the good deeds you have done. God bless and your loved ones.

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