Measure Of Success

A very close person shared to me about her friend's dilemma.  She was in her mid year as a resident doctor and she wanted to stop temporarily for her family, especially for her child.  Her colleagues were telling her to continue since it won't be long before they finished their residency.  But due to her busy schedule, she isn't able to give enough attention to her kids and is beginning to have problems in school.  Now, she is torn  between prioritizing her family over her profession and being a failure in the eyes of her colleagues.

If you're in such situation, the choice might be difficult to see.  But people outside the box can think more clearly.  Simple words of advice and insight was uttered, "it won't be a failure, if you choose family over anything else"  and for as long as someone in the family is capable enough to still provide for  their needs then things wont be as bad as it would seem. 

I remembered an office mate shared to me something he read from a book, it goes: we work so hard for our family, for our children, that we oftentimes couldn't see that we almost don't or can't spend even a quality hour with them anymore.  By the time you retired from work and already paid off all bills and obligations (assuming you worked in a well-off company with a very generous retirement package) and ready to spend your remaining moments with them, you realize, they are already used to not having you around anymore.

We have just a lifetime to live in this world.  Whether we like it or not, we can't finish all endeavors and all the things we wanted to do in life.  We might differ on how we look at success, but for me, if I created wonderful memories with the people I treasure most... that I can just provide enough for my family... that my wife and children can proudly say how wonderful a husband and father I am to them... that I can say someday that I lived a full and meaningful life... that would be success for me.  Yahweh bless.

A Glimpse Of Our New Angel

We are expecting our baby by the end of this year.  My wife, in her prenatal checkup, was able to see our still tiny baby in her womb.  How I wish I can always be right beside her during these wonderful moments, but I need to be in my work.  So I had to satisfy myself with the ultrasound scan result.  And it was really a great feeling to see our baby for the first time.

The memories of my children came back to me, moments when they were still in their mom's womb.  The thought gives me the feeling of excitement of the experiences I'll have with our newest member.  Knowing the gender, selecting a name, and a lot of good things along the way.  And so as the anticipation of the challenges it'll give... baby crying-give milk-sing endless lullaby-baby crying again-change diapers-baby sleeping-baby crying again... Not to mention the necessities, milk and diapers.  But hey that's the essence of being a parent.

Right now, we don't have a gender preference.  But my daughter wants a sister and our son wants a brother, and we can't have both since it's not a twin.  But whatever our baby will be, we just want him or her to be complete and healthy, and we all agree on this.

To our thirdy, your ate, kuya, mom and I are very eager to meet you personally.  We love you so much and we pray that you'll be healthy and safe with your mom.  Yahweh bless.