It has been more than a month since Vannie became a family member. I bought her as a present for our youngest daughter Charm who was then recovering from her two-day admission to the hospital for gastritis. I still vividly remember how her face delighted upon seeing the pair of rabbits I brought home that night and her utterance of appreciation for buying it for her. Since we didn’t have a ready cage yet that time, I asked our helper to make one on our yard using the spare tinplate bars we had.
That night, Vannie and Bugsy spent time together in the makeshift cage. Or so we thought. We found out in the morning that Bugsy escaped through the gap in between the bars. We tried to locate him but he was nowhere to be found.
For fear that Vannie might also follow suit, I dismantled the makeshift cage and transferred her to our old hamper where she stayed for awhile until I was able to buy her a decent cage. Well, not the usual cage but a transparent plastic storage box that was on sale. I made sure though that Vannie would not be suffocated that’s why I drilled two long holes on both sides of the cover so air would freely flow inside the cage.
Feeding Vannie has become one of the bonding pastimes for me and Charm as we both feed our pet which I would put on top of our veranda where it would playfully go back and forth the two ends of our porch’s posts. Slowly, Charm is learning the value of taking care of animals by teaching her how to handle it properly, giving it food and water, and cleaning its habitat regularly.
I was planning to buy another male companion for Vannie but I have read that each rabbit should have an individual cage and that means additional space. Therefore, I am setting that plan aside for now. Besides, I don’t want Vannie to have kits because we don’t have enough space at home. For now, I am happy with only one pet. Someday, when I already have a big house and extra space, I will have more pets, not only rabbits but other animals as well. That day will come soon.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
A Thief InThe Night
The reality of death is always present. It really comes like a thief in the night. And nobody really has the chance to prepare or it. Well, not if you're diagnosed with the Big C or any terminal sickness and the doctor has given you your date with the Soul Taker. At least, knowing that you're dying soon, no matter how painful and shocking it may be, is always a better option than not knowing until when you will stay alive. The former still gives one the opportunity to amend all his wrong doings and live the last days of his life in all holiness while the latter does not bring immediate enlightenment but rather brings complacency towards working for the salvation of one's soul.
Just last Tuesday, a former consultant in one of the big-ticket projects in our agency succumbed to an untimely death (well, is there such a thing as a timely death?) due to a massive stroke. The news of his death, naturally, came as a shock. For somebody who was in his late 40s, life had still so much to offer. But that's life. Nobody could really tell the exact time and place when we shall depart from this ephemeral world.
Since we do not know when death will come upon us, it would be wise to spend each day as if it were our last. It would be foolish to think that our end will not yet come and that God will always give us more time to change our ways and save our soul. Living a holy life is never easy because even if the body is willing, the spirit is weak. This is a struggle we all face but it can be overcome by total surrender of one's self to God. No matter how hard we try to keep away from sinning, if we do not totally give our everything to the Creator, including our weaknesses and sins, all our efforts will be in vain. The more we will find ourselves in the abyss of wickedness.
However, if we empty ourselves and let the Holy Spirit fill us with His love and mercy, that's the only time we can experience God's saving power. If we continue to live in God's grace, there's no worry even if we die at this very moment.
Just last Tuesday, a former consultant in one of the big-ticket projects in our agency succumbed to an untimely death (well, is there such a thing as a timely death?) due to a massive stroke. The news of his death, naturally, came as a shock. For somebody who was in his late 40s, life had still so much to offer. But that's life. Nobody could really tell the exact time and place when we shall depart from this ephemeral world.
Since we do not know when death will come upon us, it would be wise to spend each day as if it were our last. It would be foolish to think that our end will not yet come and that God will always give us more time to change our ways and save our soul. Living a holy life is never easy because even if the body is willing, the spirit is weak. This is a struggle we all face but it can be overcome by total surrender of one's self to God. No matter how hard we try to keep away from sinning, if we do not totally give our everything to the Creator, including our weaknesses and sins, all our efforts will be in vain. The more we will find ourselves in the abyss of wickedness.
However, if we empty ourselves and let the Holy Spirit fill us with His love and mercy, that's the only time we can experience God's saving power. If we continue to live in God's grace, there's no worry even if we die at this very moment.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Daddy's Girl(s)
Every time I come home from work, my youngest child, Charm, would always be the first one to welcome me eagerly at the main door and ask if I have "something" for her. It has been my habit to bring home anything for her as my pasalubong, which she readily appreciates with her "Thank you, Papa!" words coupled with a kiss on my cheek. Another thing that makes me happy, aside from her being appreciative, is her not being choosy. Whatever that something is - a candy, a chocolate, a donut, a book, a cd - she will always accept it with thanksgiving.
Although my eldest kid insists that Charm is my favorite among the three of them, my children, I always assure her that I don't play any favorites. Whatever it is that I am lavishing on my youngest child I had also lavished on my other two daughters when they were Charm's age. Even now, when I come home early, I see to it that when I bring home something for Charm, the other two also have something. But since it's only Charm who is still awake when I come home late, I don't bother to buy pasalubong for her siblings since I know they would already have fallen asleep when I arrive.
Charm's antics are also a reason that makes me fond of her. Out of the blue she would utter things that are outrageously funny, if not totally amusing. You do not often hear a three-year-old kid say that her crush on someone (imagine, she already knows the concept of the word 'crush') has already vanished because that someone has broken her heart. Tell me, have you heard a child her age say "It's okay" when you have done something wrong expressed it verbally.
I know Clare is consoled whenever I tell her that she was as precocious as Charm when she was also her age. I know, her jealousy over her little sister is nothing compared to her love for Charm. After all, Charm looks like her when Clare was still young. And it looks like that just like her Ate Clare, Charm is also as intelligent. Or even more? That remains to be seen. And if she proves to be one, I know her Ate will be proud of her sibling as we are proud of our eldest daughter.
Although my eldest kid insists that Charm is my favorite among the three of them, my children, I always assure her that I don't play any favorites. Whatever it is that I am lavishing on my youngest child I had also lavished on my other two daughters when they were Charm's age. Even now, when I come home early, I see to it that when I bring home something for Charm, the other two also have something. But since it's only Charm who is still awake when I come home late, I don't bother to buy pasalubong for her siblings since I know they would already have fallen asleep when I arrive.
Charm's antics are also a reason that makes me fond of her. Out of the blue she would utter things that are outrageously funny, if not totally amusing. You do not often hear a three-year-old kid say that her crush on someone (imagine, she already knows the concept of the word 'crush') has already vanished because that someone has broken her heart. Tell me, have you heard a child her age say "It's okay" when you have done something wrong expressed it verbally.
I know Clare is consoled whenever I tell her that she was as precocious as Charm when she was also her age. I know, her jealousy over her little sister is nothing compared to her love for Charm. After all, Charm looks like her when Clare was still young. And it looks like that just like her Ate Clare, Charm is also as intelligent. Or even more? That remains to be seen. And if she proves to be one, I know her Ate will be proud of her sibling as we are proud of our eldest daughter.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The Experience that was Ondoy
Last Saturday, my wife, Gina; my eldest child, Clare; and I braved tropical storm Ondoy. We came from our child's confirmation seminar, which lasted past 12nn. We had our lunch first in the newly opened Robinson's Supermarket in Centro Pacita. After eating and buying food for our viand that night and the next day, we headed toward home.
Since the road was impassable to tricycles, we had no option but to walk. What normally would take us 15 minutes to reach our home by foot, took us almost an hour since we waded through the knee-deep water. We were shocked when we reached our subdivision's main gate because the water current coming our way was so strong and it was the first time that we have seen such strong current coming from our subdivision.
The three of us had to hold on to one another so as not to be swept away by the current. As we walked against the current, people going our way informed us that a wall in the corner street in the direction of our house collapsed. When we heard that, the first thing that came my mind, and my wife's as well, was our two other younger children, Camille and Charm, who were left in the house with our maid and my father. We had to leave Clare in a house in the nearby block whose street was not along the current's way, because she was very afraid to be swept away by the current.
Our fear for the safety of the people we left home vanished when we reached the street corner and saw that our house was still there, without damage. Although water from the vacant field at the back of our house still overflowed in our living and dining rooms, it was nothing compared to the experience of others whose properties were totally submerged in water and whose lives were sacrificed. Though we got tired draining the water inside our house, we were still thankful that we were spared from the tragedy which befell on some of our kababayan. The experience was harrowing and we are praying that it won't happen again.
Since the road was impassable to tricycles, we had no option but to walk. What normally would take us 15 minutes to reach our home by foot, took us almost an hour since we waded through the knee-deep water. We were shocked when we reached our subdivision's main gate because the water current coming our way was so strong and it was the first time that we have seen such strong current coming from our subdivision.
The three of us had to hold on to one another so as not to be swept away by the current. As we walked against the current, people going our way informed us that a wall in the corner street in the direction of our house collapsed. When we heard that, the first thing that came my mind, and my wife's as well, was our two other younger children, Camille and Charm, who were left in the house with our maid and my father. We had to leave Clare in a house in the nearby block whose street was not along the current's way, because she was very afraid to be swept away by the current.
Our fear for the safety of the people we left home vanished when we reached the street corner and saw that our house was still there, without damage. Although water from the vacant field at the back of our house still overflowed in our living and dining rooms, it was nothing compared to the experience of others whose properties were totally submerged in water and whose lives were sacrificed. Though we got tired draining the water inside our house, we were still thankful that we were spared from the tragedy which befell on some of our kababayan. The experience was harrowing and we are praying that it won't happen again.
Welcome Note
I planned to start blogging when I turn 40 next month (Nov. 21 to be exact) because I just wanted to do something new in my life when I reach that milestone. As they say, life begins at 40. But here I am, writing this welcome note at this very moment. It must be providential that I start my blog on the first day of the tenth month (I still have to discern the real reason though why God has led me to this path).
For now, I just want to welcome myself to the blogging world. I hope I can blog regularly and use this medium to share my thoughts on various topics and somehow make a difference on the lives of others through it. :)
For now, I just want to welcome myself to the blogging world. I hope I can blog regularly and use this medium to share my thoughts on various topics and somehow make a difference on the lives of others through it. :)
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