A Blue Christmas

The family decided to spend our Christmas at my brother's house.  Our kids were so excited they went there early, I think their kiddie pool had something to do with it.  It was a "win,win" situation, they enjoyed the whole day, and we were able to prepare the food and other stuff without any distractions in our place.  Then, as evening came, we joined them, brought with us what we prepared and our gifts for the kids.

After our supper, we asked the kids to sleep, but they were just so curious and excited to open their gifts, that some of them were not able to sleep.  Since the kids won't, I unconditionally volunteered myself to doze off.

As my wife woke me up a quarter before Christmas eve, the kids had already segregated their gifts.  Everything turned out well, everyone finally opened their presents (happily, especially the kids).  But something was off... I heard the sad news when my brother told us that he will be fetching a relative to a nearby funeral.  Just minutes before midnight, her husband died.  We were all left speechless for a while thinking about the tragedy.  Barely touched our "noche buena"...

Before we went home, we passed by the funeral home and gave our condolences.  No one really knows when will our life end but our Lord.  We just could only pray for strength to accept and move on for those who were left.  It may not be easy, but if we think of it that he is now with our Lord in heaven, it will be an ease.

James 4:14 - Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Merry Christmas (still).  Yahweh bless.

Christmas In Gensan

It's the first time that my family celebrated Christmas in General Santos City and with our newest member, our very own, Jacob.  We planned it long before the holiday, applied for a couple of days leave, just to have more time to spend.  But what we haven't planned was the accident I had days before Christmas, indeed a bummer, but even that wasn't able to stop the cheerful air that was brought by the season... and of course, being together as a complete family.  Nothing would beat that.

We had a simple but significant celebration.  Unlike what we used to have in Davao, we dressed for the event, since there was a picture taking (though i was quite uncomfortable wearing pants due to my knee injury... araguyyyy!!!).  Followed by the most awaited opening of presents which my kids asked me when for a thousand time.  But I wouldn't miss a single moment to see my kids eagerly opening their gifts... those big bright sparkling eyes and cheerful laughter were truly a sight worth remembering.

Afterwards, we had our dinner of Filipino cuisines, kalderetang kambing (goat meat), kare-kareng baka (beef), inihaw na baboy (roasted pork) and buko (coconut) salad, to name a few.  I tried them all, just don't ask me how i was  able to make room for it, but with good cooking you just swallow one after the other.  All praises to my in-laws for preparing a very yummy meal. 

Then, the fireworks and loud firecrackers started.  Yes, we're a little bit eager to see and hear it again since it's banned in our city years ago.  No, I'm never against the policy, because since then, firecracker related accidents are almost erased from our city.  There are just a lot of irresponsible and careless people handling such dangerous explosive stuff.  I guess, what I'm trying to say is, firecrackers are safe if only it's handled by experts and/or at least able persons.

Lastly, I thank the very essence whom we are celebrating Christmas for, Jesus.   For the Almighty Father, for the gift of children... the gift of life.  And for giving His only beloved Son.  The light no matter what darkness we've been through.  The hope that Jesus had given the world, that by becoming one of us and dying for all our sins, He had given all of us a hope to still be with Him in heaven everlasting.  Happy birthday, our Lord... until You come again.  Yahweh bless.

It's A Merry Christmas After All

The first few days before Christmas I didn't feel well, I had to be absent for work just to let myself recuperate and even if I wanted to go to work, I just couldn't... I mean my body won't allow me.  I thought I was going to spend my Christmas in misery... but  I really thank the Lord that during His birthday, He had given me enough to enjoy the day with my family.  

But Christmas is more for the kids... how I felt their excitement and anticipation for the season.  Especially the opening of the gifts and the goodies and sweets.  How I loved their innocence and the simplicity of their satisfaction... how I loved seeing the joy in their eyes in receiving and opening gifts.  I guess I just miss feeling the same way about Christmas... I missed the child in me. 

We spent our Christmas simply and the karaoke came into action during moments when everything came to a halt... remember we are in Davao and there's no firecrackers or fireworks here... it has been banned for quite a sometime now.  Though it might not be as I remembered before as a child, a Christmas blast where everyone spent lots of bucks for papers filled with black powder that made your eyes blinded with light and made you deaf for a couple of minutes... hahaha.  But hey, good riddance, my wife had never recalled disastrous firecracker related accident in her work since it was banned a couple of years ago.  That's good enough for me... but still, I missed the noise... huhuhu.

Well, after all these, I can't help but feel humbled  of how He has been so generous to my family. I feel so blessed that I have my wife and my two adorable kids., I call them my three Alas(3 Aces). I cannot think  of a more perfect gift than having my three A's with me. I thank Thee for priceless blessings such as them. Happy Birthday dear Jesus!