There Must Be a Reason

It's one of those days when the skies are gray and the rains keep pouring incessantly It's one of those days when the skies are gray and the rains keep pouring incessantly. There are no strong winds to accompany it... just the rains as if they were tears falling.

Reportedly the northern towns of the Province of Iloilo are experiencing so much volume of the water making some fishponds overflow and some rice lands flooded. The resource persons interviewed in the radio is giving a down heartening estimate of the damages so far and the anchorperson keeps giving caution to the people to remain vigilant in the monitoring of the rise in the water levels especially with the houses near the rivers. 

Earlier this week, in the central part of the province, a father drowned while crossing the flooded river in Lambunao, Iloilo. Allegedly, the man went to look for some root crops across the river because his family had nothing to eat. Hoping that he’d get enough from their small patch of camote (sweet potato) and maybe more to be sold in the market, he risked the going across despite the inclement weather. He hoped to have money to be spent for the graduation of a son who is graduating on Thursday, March 29, 2012. Seeing the plight of the man struggling with the water current, the wife and an elder daughter also swam to help him which almost cost them their lives too. As of press time, they are still in the hospital recovering from the stress and harm. It is just sad to know that one responsible father of the family is lost when all he hoped was just enough good for the family he had. 

                                                                                  --#-- 

In another barangay, a mother was so overjoyed that an elementary daughter is to graduate with honors. She broke her piggy bank and got every saving there to go to town with the daughter to buy her a dress, shoes and some noodles to prepare for the next day in their celebration. They have to cross the river in order to reach the town.

So, that very morning - the mother, daughter, and their carabao, crossed the river for their errand. In the afternoon, they were back with all that they bought. However, the river seemed to have more water than when they left. The mother, placed the daughter at the back of their beast and she pulled the carabao after her. Unfortunately, the underwater current grew stronger that the mother slipped. She tried to swim but the carabao also tripped thus dropping the girl. By this time they were in the middle of the river.

According to some residents they heard screams (that didn’t last long) but because of the distance and the pouring rain, they mistook it to be just the noise of the flowing waters or the rustling leaves. No one came to investigate the source at that time. That evening the loss was reported to the police headquarters and the search ensued. It was an all night empty search for the missing mother and daughter by the rescue group... 

Early this morning of March 28, 2012, the carabao was found several hundreds of meters from where they crossed. It has weakened but is still alive. About a hundred meters away, they found the child with all the bruises on the face and wounds on the arms and legs. Another hundred of meters away, they found the mother with almost the same bruises and wounds. The police believed that they were dashed to the stones by the current and they were both found the next day - DEAD!

These were two tragic circumstances that could have spelled joy had it happened otherwise. Two parents hoping the best for their children that were claimed by the rivers they used to cross in all their lifetime. 

"Why must it happen now?" was the sad lament of one daughter. No one can answer this, of course.

What a loss!!! May God have mercy on their souls... and may His mercy reign. HE ALWAYS KNOWS WHAT'S BEST FOR EVERYONE ANYWAY.

The Story of the Little Star

Once upon a time, there was one little girl-star. Her name was Faye. She loved to see her parents twinkle through the dark nights. Faye thought how amazing her parents could be too as they shine so brightly. At that time Faye was not allowed yet to go and shine for the people on earth.

One day, her mommy told her to sleep early because a teacher will come in the late evening to teach her the art of shining. Faye was so happy that she jumped with joy and enthusiasm. So she obeyed her mother. She went to bed before friend Sun went to rest. She was so excited.

Soon her teacher came. Her name was Marga. Teacher Marga shone even brighter than all the stars in the village. Faye thought that teacher Marga was the most wonderful star she ever saw that she was so enthusiastic to learn from her.

To learn the art of shining, Faye has to travel around the skies with teacher Marga. Her teacher will take her to the place appointed for her to occupy. She bid her mommy good-bye and hand in hand Faye and her teacher went.

Up there in the skies, Faye can hardly breathe with excitement. She saw some children looking out of their windows towards her direction when she looked down. The children were looking up at her, she thought. This thrilled her that she smiled warmly at them. She also winked at the little boy who clapped and waved at her.

Suddenly a little girl shouted, “Oh my! Look over there! There’s a new star! Oh, oh... see how it shines and twinkles!” Then, the other children clapped their hand too as they jumped and cheered.

Faye felt the warmth of joy all over her that she smiled broadly at them. Presently, the little boy who waved at her said, “I love you little star! Please twinkle for me till morn.” This made Faye so delighted that she said, “I wish I can always shine for them. I wish I can always make them happy.”

Teacher Marga replied, “dear Faye, one brilliant star is born in the skies today. Look around, you are the brightest and the most beautiful star in the heavens Faye.” She looked at Teacher Marga with tears in her eyes and mumbled, “Thank you.”

Rain in Summer

Yesterday it rained. It was a sudden downpour that sent us all, in the sidewalk, scampering towards the waiting shed for shelter. The shed was congested in less than ten seconds that some who ran to it seeking protection got wet as well.

It was an irritatingly funny experience because no one expected to get drenched with the rains in the heat of summer yet it came. Some braved the heavy shower while most did stay to wait it out to stop. It lasted for about 45 minutes that some who were in a hurry to go started cursing the sudden change of the climate, others blamed the PAGASA (the Philippine weather bureau),some charged themselves for their laziness to bring an umbrella, students started to joke with each other, and some simply stood there patiently.

Amidst them, i can't help smiling. My late father's voice rang clear in my head, "Sometimes, it also rains in summer. The volume of water it brings will not matter much but it's how you take it that determines its significance. You may be soaked to the skin but it's your attitude that drives you to do things. You may be shuddering cold but it's your character that dictates how you react."

Oh, the wisdom of the old. After so many years of being exposed to the varied seasons and the trials of life, I begin to admire how nature teaches us lessons in such indirect ways.

Indeed, problems and confusions abound as we live. Personal problems of the heart, family finances, children's future to prepare with... oh, a lot of other things in line. We have science and learning to give us the verified and tested means to counter them but some play it by ear. Some choose to back off in the middle of heavy burdens or painful experiences while the daring choose to brave it on.

The rains that afternoon stopped just as suddenly as it came. As we left the waiting shed, every one smiled as if we were freed from a confinement. What a feeling!

One more thing is confirmed to me. In our haste and singleness of purpose Someone up there still controls what mortals do and how the events should come to pass. Maybe, that rain in the middle of one summer day poured heavily to cleanse the dust in the face of the earth and make people rest awhile to contemplate.

However we may take it, rains come in summer too.

Living the Moment

My late father, Pete Peñaranda was a person of faith. In trying circumstances he'd make it lighter by hugging us and remind us how 'these will just come to pass'. This note was given to one of my best friends, Irma Osano, in high school. She sent it back to me. I'm putting it here because this may inspire you too. --

If I can endure for this minute whatever is happening to me, no matter how heavy my heart is or how dark the moment maybe;
If I can remain calm and quiet with all my world crushing about me, secure in the knowledge that God loves me, when everyone else seems to doubt me;
If I can keep on believing what I know in my heart to be true:  that darkness will fade with morning and that this will pass away too.
Then nothing in life can defeat me.
As long as this knowledge remains … I can suffer whatever is happening to me now.
For I know that God will break all the chains that are binding me tight in the darkness and are trying to fill me with fear. For there is no night without dawning and I know that my morning is near.###

God Knows You Know

This was inspired by the couple i talked to last week-end. Each asked the other for a comparison of the love that each of them profess to feel...

Great! How do you express love?

I Love You

How do I love you?

How do I say, "I love you?"

In so many ways my dear but one...

Only God knows the depth and width of it all;

'coz only your heart will know its bounds.

NOW, WHAT?

Must I cherish life
When I know life is just a cherished dream?
Must I keep speaking of love,
Though I know that a love that’s silent is a love that’s felt?

In vain have I sought thee...
It hurt.
I asked then,

“Who will lead this sad heart to the right path?”
He said, “I will.”
“Very well," said I, "here’s my hand that we may embark on a journey
Only you and I know where...”

Time flies...
Life goes on _
Dreams realized and memories live;

In a whirlpool of life’s current we stay adrift
Walking in parallel lines till he asks,
“Must I speak of love when a love that’s true is carved in the heart?
Need I explain over and over that the one I loved is now my very life?”

Kiddie Views

The careless vibrancy of youth, the mellow joys of mid-life and the serenity of old age… and then, we look at the new life with authority and wisdom.

Our house in the farm is surrounded by more or less 50 mango trees; about half its number are bamboo trees in the western side, and in the eastern side are other fruit trees which are just taller than the mangoes. A few years back, we have stayed in this farm house longer when our children were still in the grade school. The pace of life was not so fast then and things were not so complicated as it is now.

On summers when most of the fruit trees are in bloom, my son, enjoyed going about the area with his Dad who was so entertained by our boy’s endless ‘Why’s.’ One time in their early morning stroll he said, “Dad, I noticed that while all other trees are flowering before summer, most of our mango trees are turning over new leaves while the bamboos over there are shedding off their own. Why is it, dad?”

That was twelve years ago when he had a lot of questions to ask. Now, he’d rather explain it to others and he has a better answer which is precisely the more complete one – “That’s the cycle of life,” he’d begin and embark on his explanation. “Trees, unlike us do not toil, nor do they wander for their own place under the sun. They are placed by one hand where they are and are left to survive; yet, they complain not as they go through their harsh environment under the heat, rain and storm. They turn over a new leaf as each season changes. They shed them off at its turn and take pride in its blossoms when the time comes. Trees when well cared bring in more fruits. It’s sort of giving back the kindness to the owner who cared for them. Its seeds will grow to another life.”

Lately, my teen-age son and I were walking the narrow path leading from the house to the bamboos when he suddenly chuckled. He remembered how his Dad and I made him believe that the bamboos were the elders, the other fruit trees were the middle aged members and the mangoes occupying the adjacent hills were the teen-agers of the ‘Tree Community.’ The hagonoy vines and cogon grasses in the other hills were the scalawags ready to take over their places should we stop caring for the trees. We laughed at the personifications and metaphors until we reached the lone sineguelas tree laden with fruits glued to the leafless branches. Mimicking his Dad’s voice, he said, “See that one? Sometimes, you have to shed off your adornments, bare yourself and put everything down in order for the Great Provider to beautify you with good things.”

“God is perfect,” my second daughter once argued, “but we all trip and fall sometimes in our humanness. Anyway, we can pray for strength and courage each time…even if we can never emulate Jesus to perfection.”

Yes, we are imperfect but love and caring from those who love us will pull us up together with our lost pride whenever we fall. “However,” added my elder daughter, “faith in the Unseen Hand that heals us will make us fruitful.”

Hearing all these from the kids… I believe that the world will be a beautiful place for them to live in. After all, it starts from the heart that the mouth utters thus.