Ave Maria
A dear friend whose personality is larger than life --- vibrant, beautiful, intelligent --- when she enters a room you think of playing JLo's Let's Get Loud --- turn speakers higher volume 
--- she also has a big heart --- this heart broken a lot of times --- you wonder how she can manage to still love again -- but she does -- and this has been expressed in a way not too many of us might have the opportunity to experience -- by way of caring for not just one but three sick family members --and all at the same time
.... it came as a painful shock to know she was very very ill -- that unless the Lord would make a miracle that it was possible she would move on to the next life.
--- she also has a big heart --- this heart broken a lot of times --- you wonder how she can manage to still love again -- but she does -- and this has been expressed in a way not too many of us might have the opportunity to experience -- by way of caring for not just one but three sick family members --and all at the same time.... it came as a painful shock to know she was very very ill -- that unless the Lord would make a miracle that it was possible she would move on to the next life.
This news was too close for comfort... Recently , we just had a sweet reunion with high school batchmates -- there was even a recollection given by a nun as a follow-up to kindling ties. So it is rather a bit confusing to kindle friendships and then to also be prepared to say good-bye... it brings me to prayer and reflection mode -- where everything ... even a simple walk in the morning under the shade of my neigbor's mango tree takes on a new meaning... there was also heaviness in my heart - a dull head ache too that would not go away -- to perhaps increase my awareness of the situation.
Recieving the news that morning -- I was not prepared for sudden outbursts of tears --- just falling...falling ... my husband and I were praying the rosary -- driving to Cubao for an appt. ...praying the rosary our lifeline really - it just sort of grew thru the years thank God ... when its a long trip .. the rosary is just the most natural thing to do --- traffic no longer bothers you...heat is bearable... we arrive safely ..and well...praying soothes our senses... it calms us ... it paves way for God to give His divine assistance and precious guidance.
But alas... the rosary instead of easing the pain seemed to help me be more in touch.. more connected to what my friend must go thru.
when did we meet Grade three? I dont know if she remembers we buried an egg - a plastic egg where you could place coins -- like a treasure you bury -- i think we had a few pine looking trees at STC grade school...that's where we triumphantly buried it... maybe we hoped the coins would later become golden coins haha.
How can you be friends for such a long time?
We virtually saw each other grow up... She grew up tall, tan and lovely ... hahaha I wish I also grew tall but I didn't![*:"> blushing](https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo6.gif "*:"> blushing")
... At STC grade school your brains seemed to be ironed by the nuns and dedicated teachers -- I find it hard to recall a dimwit , scatterbrained teacher except perhaps in highschool - where this young teacher was so in love with her boyfriend she could not help me figure out chemistry hehe.. Di ko talaga naintindihan ang Chem.
I think somewhere in the educating system the nuns hoped and prayed we learn the basics for handling life in a godly way, graciously surviving whatever tests come... and becoming winners in the truest sense of the word... For what is a true winner, pray tell me?
... At STC grade school your brains seemed to be ironed by the nuns and dedicated teachers -- I find it hard to recall a dimwit , scatterbrained teacher except perhaps in highschool - where this young teacher was so in love with her boyfriend she could not help me figure out chemistry hehe.. Di ko talaga naintindihan ang Chem. I think somewhere in the educating system the nuns hoped and prayed we learn the basics for handling life in a godly way, graciously surviving whatever tests come... and becoming winners in the truest sense of the word... For what is a true winner, pray tell me?
High schoool paved way for us to meet and make more friends... And I saw her conquer the world literally--- bcoz at a young age she became an exchange student. I thought to myself : What a brave young girl --- to study abroad --- away from family friends , from one's native culture ---
I'd think : Di ko yata kaya iyon
... to each his own path to carve indeed.
... to each his own path to carve indeed.
We both had our lessons in love... in life... weaving in and out of each other's life as we gingerly discovered the process of growth...sharing experiences: our joys, our sorrows... our young foolish mistakes... and then our adult foolish mistakes .
Twenties, thirties, forties -- how did we reach our fifties -- and what happened all those years.? Oh so much , so much stories to tell but I'm afraid for our private consumption. Suffice to say life was so Action-packed -- we'd probably have a screenplay for all movies genres : drama, romance, suspense, inspirational --- God did not Make Tipid 
Ipinalasap ang lahat , grahbe.
Ipinalasap ang lahat , grahbe.
Life teaches us many lessons but really in the end the only one that matters are lessons in love... that lead to our holiness however supernatural that sounds -- but it is our calling by and thru the work of the glorious Son of God.
My friend is very ill yet again it paves way for other blessings to shine thru ---
Friends and family are given an opportunity to be instruments of healing , channels of God's mercy and forgiveness --
God has used different means so that whatever seeds were planted in our young hearts by those nuns would come alive in an even steadier, fuller, brighter flame of faith and love --- where not all our wretchedness can escape its purifying fire.. and where we realize with much amazement and awe --- how God has changed our wretchedness to sublime goodness. The greatest wonder of all.
This is all happening in the thick of the Lenten season --- God's way of reminding me -- you are all on borrowed time --- and in fact there is not much time . Even as we cope with these tests of faith -- let us grow stronger in our commitment to be good stewards of God's gifts to us --- to rejoice at the gift of each new day and the possibilities it holds for us to share Gods love -- to seek and welcome like a child this new life - this real life -this eternal life God wants to share with us.
Please pray that Christ's love overcomes all pain ..all regrets...all woundedness... all anger and unforgiveness -- and let this prayer be for each and everyone of us... Blessed Lent to all....
Joy and Peace.
4Rejoice* in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!c5Your kindness* should be known to all. The Lord is near.d6Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.e7Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.f