Dawn,- April 10, 2022

This morning there was no pressure to wake up early but I got out of bed to make breakfast with the hubby. 

And I was delightful I did for the sky was beautifully lit!

The banana leaves are by our front yard. I love how they seem like hands raised in worship. 

Trees, its leaves and branches never fail to amaze me. They are signs of LIFE and manifestations of LOVE and HOPE. 

I watched as always in awe at God's magnificent creation. 

It's Palm Sunday and the SKY meaningfully painted my GRATITUDE for ....FAMILY, FRIENDS, WORK, GOOD HEALTH, CHALLENGES and every simple thing in LIFE. 

May everyone in all the world find PEACE and spread LOVE. A blessed week one and all. 

 

Rainbow a Sign of HOPE

On my way home today the sky in the photo above greeted me. As always I stared at the clouds and noticed the enchanting way the cloud was formed. It was drizzling and something on my left shoulder glimmered. Yes! A rainbow! 

Reaching home I took a closer photo of the magic! Wow, a rainbow never fails to mesmerize me. It symbolizes hope and new beginnings. We may be feeling down in life but everything will one day be alright. We just have to look at the bright side and keep the faith. 

 

On the Wings of Friendship

     Many times in our lives, we experience pain. There are moments when the sky seems to be so dark and nothing could compare to the anguish that we are suffering. On such occasions we are left thinking and talking to ourselves almost to the point of madness-"What have I done wrong?" "What have I done to have deserved this?" ...We go on and on blaming ourselves until we go weary of analyzing and probing our hearts and souls still unable to swallow our pride, unable to forgive or erase our guilt or vanish the hurt. For a time solitude becomes our refuge that we build walls around us that allows no one to enter not even the closest to us. And then we realize like magic, waking up one morning that the problems in our lives are nothing compared to that of many out there…that the fact that we woke up is a sign that we have to go on and help in changing the world into a better place. What better thought to wake up to than the realization that there are people around us who are just a thought away, who would run as fast as they could to get to our side the moment we call out their name. They would do anything just to cheer us up from willingly listening to our nonsense to taking the blame, to looking ridiculous, to taking the risk to taking the leap for us if only to show us that we are loved and cared for and that nothing in this world is too heavy to be carried by that thing called "genuine FRIENDSHIP".....

Friendship makes each grey sky sparkle
each dark cloud turn into glitters
each dreary feeling to glee
and gives us wings to fly
across the most beautiful skies

Change the World

     When was the last time you remember waiting for the sun to rise? Do you recall any moment in your life when waking up in the morning made your heart sing with gladness at simply seeing the sky?

A Tribute to the Men and Women Who Taught Me Right from Wrong

St. Michael Kindergarten School, where I learned my ABC

     
      
     

    “What is eight “8” (eight) multiplied by “9” (nine) class?” “Zen?” The lady, an apprentice teacher called out to a girl in a white printed shirt and blue pleated pants. The girl rose, feet shaking, palms sweaty and eyeballs rolling from one classmate to another waiting for someone to save her and whisper the answer. After a whole minute of fumbling with her skirt and fidgeting and wishing she had powers to go invisible she finally got the courage to say “ammm errrr ninety-two (92)?” in the softest voice. The practice teacher looked at her, face puzzled and caring and said in a sweet voice “I’m sorry Zen, that is not the right answer you may take your seat.” “Any other idea class?” Hands were hoisted into the air as kids shouted “Ma’am! Ma’am! Ma’am!” The girl who was fearful of numbers sat teary eyed and listened and promised to study harder.

    

on Ducks and Parenthood

I've heard it many times from my cheerful folks that as long as one is alive there is always hope. 

Passing Happiness Around

     Today I saw another child who once again made me feel so contented and happy. She seemed to be chanting while walking along the shore barefooted in comfortable loose clothes with hair freely swaying with the wind.

 

     It was almost sunset and I was spending time at the surfing area with a good friend after visiting the wake of a high school batch mate's dad. As always stricken with grief at the news of someone traveling to the afterlife having experienced myself the pain of losing someone in this lifetime I was in a contemplative mood. I complained a lot about the sky not being royal blue this afternoon and my friend did not know whether to laugh at me or to scold me. I realized I was being unreasonable when my friend spotted this little girl who totally took my attention away from melancholy.

Love, Love, Love

To be wanting to stay close to someone is indeed one of the most natural things in the world. Studies have shown that that emotion we call Love brings out the best in us. It gives us the power to move mountains; to conquer our fears; to keep looking and feeling young; to have a positive outlook in life; to figure out the answers to our innumerable questions in life. It can give us that elusive emotion called contentment...

and yes....

it empowers us to multiply and keep the world ALIVE! 

Light of Day

 Waking up and seeing the sky has been painted so wonderfully pulls me out of bed...

Bacnotan, My Hometown

Yesterday, I had tears in my eyes on my way to that place I dearly call home. I was with a heavy heart as I took photos with my phone through the glass window of the bus. Our province was one of those unfortunately ravished by tropical storm "Helen" which brought heavy rains that flooded streets, farmlands, homes and drowned relatives' and friends' livestock; destroyed crops and property and left many in sorrow having no place to sleep and food to eat. I prayed with my fellowmen for the rain to stop; analyzed why such a thing happened, drew out conclusions and like a diligent student came up with answers and plans to help prevent another akin catastrophe from happening; things  better done than just enumerated. Today, miraculously the sun came out and brought hope for everyone. With the government's aid, everyone's cooperation and blessings from Above I have faith we will rise above such tragedy.

✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿

     Sharing with you photos from my beloved hometown Bacnotan.....

    

Baroro Bridge