The Only One

Ave Maria:-)

Ah.. the holydays of All Saints and All Holy Souls Day are not without its benefits.

In prayer this morning , so thoroughly enjoying the quiet walk in our oh so short street named Yakal ( no doubt a sturdy Philippine tree) was so grateful for the empty street, the cooler air as November sets in and Christmas nears... slowly praying the rosary while walking ..it must be the most healing thing ever... physical and spiritual exercise at its best - I love the rosary because the mysteries contain what we need to know the most... of course there is the Our Father, the Hail Mary's , the Glory Be's yes... but the mysteries... that is what sets the pace -- that is where endless treasures can be found -- the most priceless wisdom freely given to us as we reflect on the Lord's humble life, and everything He went thru for our sakes. No wonder the BLessed Mother gave us this devotion.. it is not so much about her ..as it is a powerful and sure means to gain greater knowledge , faith and conversion to our Saviour -- she is a conduit -- she comes to us as one blessed soul who had first-hand knowledge of the gift of salvation and the Savior -- hence , rather than pick on her , and find ways to dishonour her -- tis better to simply thank her, thank Jesus for giving her to us as our spiritual  mother  ..and entrust ourself to her motherly care - Jesus benefitted from this ..surely He wants us to savor the same love and care. Amen to that.

Walks can either be boring, tiring -- or walks can help settle us , help us be in touch with our inner self..make us aware of surroundings and God's presence everywhere.

The Lord is so generous , He grants bonuses for us -- so that rather than we seeing ugliness and whatever is wrong with something, someone at a given moment - our heart and mind attunes instead to see only the beauty and goodness the Creator gives to His children. It is a positive preference, I guess. Praise the Lord.

the morning's treat for weary eyes:The neighbor's lawn has green velvety carabao grass, a neighbor has a tree that grows this queer seed-like fruit that in our youth at Biak-na bato, San Juan -we'd gingerly use for our "bahay-bahayan" games , for make believe cooking and all -- the blooms , little flowers really ---pop out of nowhere, begging to be noticed as they are also beautiful. Some days , if not most days --we can be in our typical rush -rush-rush ..trying our darnedest to catch appointments, to earn that buck- ---to accomplish, accomplish...accomplish -- hahaha -- we take ourselves too seriously becoz really even if we have built the highest skyscrapers in town --we can't take that to heaven can we? --- as for the gold and riches --as the good book warns us --- somebody else will surely inherit and use the treasures we painstaykingly accummulated thru the years --- isn't that life's perennial joke.? Vanity of vanities indeed.

By now we realize that if one wants to be remembered after death -- the memories that stick and will be cherished are the acts of goodness and love that the deceased has left behind. Thank God that for that -- one need not be a millionaire, the most learned or the most gifted to do these acts of love and goodness.One needs only the Spirit of God.

After the rounds of walking cum rosary, went home to the beloved garage, where the good ole monobloc grey chair was waiting...  ahh now it's time to reflect -- othertimes, I read /pray liturgy of the hours, a good book/pamphlet, devotional --thank God there are so many things we can use for prayer and growth.

Was led to just be quiet... it isn't always easy to be quiet... but there are moments like this when nothing stands between you and reverie... until an old faded picture of my father and me , at perhaps age 3 came to mind... we must have been at the zoo.. it's the most splendid picture ever because my father is at his prime - quite handsome, perhaps to me the most handsome man who ever lived, haha..and he had to stoop down as I was very little, so that the camera lens could frame us -- he totally shrouded me -- even now ..I'll cry again because the picture speaks of how my father loved not just me but countless other "children", my sister, my brother..cousins..his brothers and sisters..adopted sons and daughters - others older than him... so many men and women not even related by blood.

The real lover is the one who can make you feel the most special , the most precious, the only one at the time you are with him - this was a gift Danny had -- for the few minutes you were with him..perhaps just an embrace..an endearing word ..teasing or even scolding -- for that golden moment - you were the only one...the only one.

I am what I am because of this father's love... mother's love too (God is much too good - it is not as if I did not have my share of woes and pains -' could write a book on that but the love I recieved as a child prepared me for life's battles) .. we are who we are because of souls sent us by God the Father for us to stumble on the amazing truth  , that God does exist and that HE loves us  to the point of death ( not a pun -- but really twas what Jesus did for us on the cross)... 

We joyfully discover these realities and have faith in God because of these people who too loved us with an unconditional love...thru them we know God exists...because such love is never possible without a Source... and this source must be divine....and that what they give us is but a foretaste...just an appetizer of the love God would lavish upon us. 

and because They love us as God loves us -- with this love comes not just acceptance - but a wholehearted desire to ground us in what is good and true and pure -- with this love must come as well discipline and correction. Go thru the bible...read Old Testament accounts of how time and again... God the Father had to punish wayward, hardhearted, unfaithful Israelites -His beloved Chosen People who had this amazing capacity to choose other gods...false gods...this is real love , a love that will claim and rescue us from the devil's snares...... a love that brings us to our senses..a love that makes us painfully aware we are nothing without GOD --and how It Spells Death and Destruction to live a life apart from Him.

Some cousins were born rich..with vast resources at their disposal..some might have been materially poor..and yet the Lord made up for this by giving these cousins parents who were so strong in their faith with fervent spousal love..and who   were able to impart values that make them rich in the truest sense of the word. Some marriages have worked, even bearing sweet fruits of children, grandchildren... professional success... as some marriages didnot survive -- many have had their hearts broken over love affairs that remained purely affairs and never lifelong commitments... some remain single... some have migrated abroad... others chose to go home ....many endure hardships of all types... Today, the Lord asks us to stop and spend quiet time with Him.. to replay our life and to go thru it with Jesus by our side. To watch the people who have touched our lives..some with love...others passing thru our life with pain and malice.... 

We are who we are... we are where we are here and now..for a purpose ..and may it be so that we can be signboards that say to others:" GOD loves you... and God has a marvelous plan for you..one that ends all the way in heaven."

Danny towering and shrouding me was God the Father telling me...everything will be alright my daughter  for I am always with you...go then... Love others as I have loved you.

I remember you my dearest father Ramon, my beloved mother Lydia, Monsignour Nonoy, my Yaya Pilar and all whom the Lord has used to make believe  in a god Who is Pure love, pure forgiveness  , justice and truth.

Happy All Holy Souls Day to all.............................................................love and prayers... te mye