Pearl Brooch for Mom’s Day

Mothers’ Day has been a special event for our family especially when Dad is still around. We never miss the occasion without giving a gift to Mom. It does not always have to be something expensive but it is always something special.

I remember before, My Dad and I would buy mom a purse. Sometimes, a perfume or cologne because she loves perfumes especially “White Linen” although we could not buy one regularly because it is expensive here in the Philippines. Sometimes, we buy roses for her but there would always be ice cream and cake.

In the past Mothers’ Days (except for last year), I have given Mom pearl accessories (not the super expensive types). I have given her a set of pearl earrings and necklace. I want to give her a pearl ring but I can only give her a pearl brooch this year.

She adores it when I have given it to her. I have surprised her. I don’t have a picture of the brooch but I have seen something almost similar to it. I am showing it here with a proper link to show readers how the brooch looks.

I hope I can give Mom a pearl ring soon.   

Image above courtesy of:

http://www.gd-wholesale.com/wholesale-dir/a23c/e3513f/brooch-s-9.html

The Love of a Father

This is not the first time that I have seen this video of the Hoyt father and son. I have first seen this in a short film showing during our church’s Fathers’ Day celebration last year but I have had no information about who they are at that time. I have only learned about their real names through the You Tube video that Cee has posted on her blog: mybutteryfly.com.

It has been a tear jerker for me because the video film has touched my heart so much. Not only because of the story of the Hoyt’s, because I remember my Dad. He used to do the same for me when he was still alive. I’m a paralytic and Dad has been my strength and my feet.

We never joined the “Ironman” race or any kind of race but Dad would take me anywhere I needed to go. Without dad, I would never had any idea of what it was like outside the house. He carried me on his back whenever he needed to. Life hade become easier because I had a dad who gave his life for me. There were several offer of promotions in his work which he refused because  it would entail out of town assignments. He did not want to leave because he knew that I could not go to church without him. Whenever I try to walk around with a leg brace and crutches, I felt safe and secure when he was near because I knew he would not let me fall. I knew he was there to catch me.

Things have changed when he has passed away. Although mom is still here with me to take care of me, we would have been happier if dad is still with us. I just cannot imagine what would Rick’s (Hoyt) life would be if the time comes when his dad would have to go too. Well, I am sure his family would be there for him.

Dad’s Vick’s Inhaler

For the past several days, I have battling with symptoms of cold and flu. So far, I think I am still fine although I’m having a clogged and runny nose. Gosh, it’s difficult to sleep at night when you can’t seem to breathe. Thank God, I haven’t had any fever but I feel warm the other day.

I don’t advise anyone to self medicate but since I feel that a common cold is just a simple sickness, and there are medicines available over the counter, I’ve decided to take simple medicines for cold to ease the symptoms although they make me drowsy. Next time, I’ll take the “no-drowse” ones.

Still, my nose remained clogged so I’ve tried to look for any other remedy like a rubefacient but it doesn’t seem to give much relief then I’ve remembered my Dad’s Vicks Inhaler. He used to keep an inhaler before  because he used to catch cold quite often before. I’m surprised to find out that his inhaler still works even after a little over two years. Using it has been a great relief.

I’m not advertising it. Relief comes not only from the camphor and menthol in it, but also from the thought that it’s Dad himself who has bought it. It’s like Dad himself has bought a medicine for me. I remember, I always ask him to buy an inhaler for me whenever I catch a cold. How I miss those days. If only he is still here, I’m sure he’s going to rub a rubefacient balm over my chest and back. There are certain things can never be the same now that he has died. I’m just grateful that there are a lot of memories from little stuffs that still connect us together.

Image Above Courtesy of:

www.drugstore.com

I Choose Jesus

Several months ago, I accompanied my friend, church mate and a fellow minister in music, Alex Gonzaga  on the piano as he sang in church a beautiful song “I Choose Jesus” although it had been in Filipino translation done by his late uncle Rev. Nehemias Abesamis.

I feel it is one of the best songs ever written for Christ. In this life, there are many decisions we need to make. In the long road of life, we need to make sure that we are in the right path but it seems so hard. We keep on making mistakes; we keep on falling down even though we trust God’s guiding hand.

The challenge of the song is to make a choice. Whenever we will encounter a situation wherein we would need to choose between Christ and sin, always choose Christ not just for good times or nice blessings, but also for sacrifices and personal crosses, for in this life there are many, not because God has ordained us to suffer but because He has made us to be victorious.

The Lagro UMC Chancel Choir Video

This is an old video of the Lagro United Methodist Chancel Choir, which I've downloaded from Facebook, particularly  from Ghen's account. If I'm not mistaken, this is taken last February 2010. This is one of the few times I accompanied the Chancel Choir in the morning service. The camera turns to me once I think. This is a rare piece. Hehe...

The End of a Former Chief of Staff

General Angelo Reyes

March 17, 1945– February 8, 2011

He has served the Armed Forces for 39 long and arduous but meritorious years. Graduating top 7 from the Philippine Military Academy Class 66, he has started his military career as a Team leader for the Philippine Army Special Forces. His achievements has adorned his chest with medals, ribbons and recognition, which placed him at top positions in the service, as a battalion commander, area commander, service commander and in 2001, Chief of Staff of the AFP.

His participation in the EDSA II People Power Revolution, which unseated former President Estrada, has placed him in the roster of military heroes. However, the same has inducted him into politics. It is not necessarily wrong but for him the outcome is cruel.

My Dad could not forgive him for withdrawing support to President Estrada not because he was a die-hard supporter but because he felt that it was a political intrusion from the influence of political figures. He believed that the military must be free from any political taint. Ironically, they were name sakes.

On February 8, 2011, before his mother’s grave, he decided to end his life with a gunshot toward his heart. It was deplorable and unfortunate; unexpectedly from a general and a hero in war.

His devotion to his parents, especially to his mother is worthy of noting even of laud but for a reason, it seems that their memories are not enough to secure his mind from the gloom that threatened his reputation. In a Senate inquiry on January 27, 2011, retired Lt. Col George Rabusa has accused the late General Angelo Reyes of receiving P50 million worth of unauthorized military fund upon his retirement. The money as alleged is from the military funds that retired Major General Carlos Garcia, who is facing charges of graft and plunder before the Sandiganbayan, has manipulated.

Someone says that General Reyes has made a supreme sacrifice to preserve the military institution from further injury. It is a tragic end for a general who has chosen death to save his honor but inflicting a wound to his family that no amount of comfort can soothe.

It seems unfair. The people does not want him dead. They only need an explanation. Perhaps, a just retribution if true and a clear exoneration if untrue but now the truth will go with him in his grave. However, the decision is his own, as a man and as a general. No one else should take the blame.

May this tragic incident stir up the conscience of all those involved in corrupting the military institution most especially the political figures around General Angelo Reyes. May they find sleep at night.

Image Courtesy of:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelo_Reyes#Corruption_allegations_and_death

Can Dad See Us? Just Wondering

Mom & I

This week Mom has been having frequent episodes of high blood pressure reaching as high as 240/100 mmHg. Actually, twice this week. Perhaps, she’s been thinking too much.

After taking her medicine, she would lay in the sofa with cold compress on her forehead and chest. After she has relaxed, her blood pressure would start to go down. When her BP stabilizes, she would fall asleep.

Before, it was Dad who would fix her bed. Every time, her blood pressure would shoot up, Dad would put liniment on her chest and would massage her gently. Even after Dad had a “stroke”, he would still insist to fix mom’s bed. Although, sometimes he could not fix it properly. I’d just redo it afterward.

I wonder, can Dad see us? Can he see how we are doing from where he is? In his absence, I would have to try to fill in his shoe and take care of Mom.