Thanks

SOMETIMES, NOT OFTEN ENOUGH, WE REFLECT UPON THE GOOD THINGS. AND THOSE THOUGHTS ALWAYS CENTER AROUND THOSE WE LOVE. AND WE THINK ABOUT THOSE PEOPLE WHO MEAN SO MUCH TO US. AND FOR SO MANY YEARS HAVE MADE US SO VERY HAPPY. AND WE COUNT THE TIMES WE HAVE FORGOTTEN TO SAY THANK YOU, AND JUST HOW MUCH WE LOVE THEM.

It's a beautiful day today, the sun is out and the day is bright. My sister is moving to a new house with her family :) and although its a bigger distance from our house, I am happy they have a house they built on their own, and they can experience all the new things entailed with having a brand new house. Sometimes we have to just let them go and let them experience life.

My other sister is stressed and excited all at the same time for her daughter's wedding. It's only 2 weeks from now and being the mother of the bride, she is busy. I did offer to help her, but then again, I do not want to encroach into her space either. So I guess all I can do is offer.

Me, well, am pretty busy as it is. I am helping a former student look for a place to live. They are migrating here and that's a giant step for them. He is a nice guy and they look like a nice family. I feel good being able to help someone. It is just a great feeling - helping people.

Then, of course, there's the migration of my niece as well. I am helping them out too. They will be arriving soon as well and will be living with us for a few months, I imagine.

AS if I don't have enough on my plate, I also am helping my co worker to look for a hotel in NYC. hahaha

Don't you get the feeling that once you help someone, you end up helping a few more? And I think its because it makes me feel great and useful and just gives that sense of fulfillment.

While I'm helping these people, I also worry about a friend who was just diagnosed with cancer. She is the nicest person ever, and very good (in every sense of the word). And I really feel for her and her family, because I have been there, and it is not easy to know someone in your family has cancer. The good thing is, they are in a place where treatment for this kind of disease is very good and there are a lot of new technologies and medications now, compared to when my mom had hers. I sent her a text message to say hello and ask what the docs have said on Monday. I did not want to call or ask right away, I wanted to give them space first, time to get used tot he idea. I just have this inky feeling that her illness won't be ordinary and the road they will tackle won't be easy. But at the same time, I have this feeling that she will get through this. I just have the feeling that God will make a way and heal her.

http://youtu.be/1zo3fJYtS-o

I love this song!!! It reiterates how I feel and it always brings tears to my eyes. But today, the tears are specially for my friend. My heart goes out to her, and she is always in my prayers.

Life is short...we never know what we will find around the next bend. Share your love, and say thank everyone who has in some form or another helped you at some point in your life. Because, really, life is not just being able to exist on your own, but being able to live with and for other people.

LIVE AND LET LIVE!!! LIVE, LOVE AND LAUGH!!!

NEW LIFE

Today I've decided to take my life back. I have realized that the side effects of all the medications I am taking are, I think, far greater and more of a nuisance than the headache I have to deal with everyday if I don;t take them. This sudden onset of laryngitis, for example, is one of them, in my opinion. Add the tingling on my arms and legs, the heavy feeling in my head, the difficulty in concentrating, frequent urination, the threat of developing kidney stones, and having depression, the difficulty in finding simple cough medication for cough relief, to name a few. Gosh, that's not even all of it and I am already overwhelmed. So, I am going to start lessening the dosage of each of my meds tonight to start weaning myself of them, and just start using the Cefaly for my headaches. Hopefully, this would be enough.

I think this is a good plan...and then we shall go from there...onwards we go to a better quality of life ahead of us.....

I LOVE YOU, MOM!

I envy the people who still have their moms around...the ones who can still talk to them, hug them, kiss them, smile with them, laugh with them, just being able to sit beside them even without saying a word and still feel loved and at peace.

My mom passed away 30 years ago, I was in grade school then. I could still remember that day - every little detail, every sob, every teardrop rolling down my face. I lost a big part of myself that day...and I knew that part of me was lost forever. The days passed swiftly and time flew by. Sometimes I would wish that she would come back, even for just awhile, even for just a brief moment, so I could hug her and see her smile, But, alas, life isn't like that. Reality bites, I guess. I tried to look for her in other people, her sisters, my friend's mom, my elder sisters...but no one, no one can ever be her. She had that special smile, that certain walk, that familiar frown...things I would never have a chance to see again. I never experienced sharing stories with her when I was a teenager, nor was she there when I didn't know what to do. She was not there to fix my hair on my wedding day, nor walk me down the aisle with my dad. Sometimes I call her name when I am in despair, and wish she would just be there to comfort me...to give me a hug...whisper comforting words...like saying "Everything will be alright."


When some of you feel like your mom is being intrusive, over protective, annoying and stubborn...stop and think again. Be thankful for having your mom around...be thankful that she is still there, just trying to be the best mom to you. Be thankful that you can still call her to talk, see her smile, share stories with her, kiss her and hug her...because not everybody was given that chance. Don't you know you have the most precious gift anyone could ever have? YOU HAVE A MOTHER. So while you still have the chance, HUG HER AND KISS HER, TELL HER HOW MUCH YOU LOVE HER AND THANK HER FOR BEING YOUR MOM. Because that is the best thing you can ever give her specially on Mother's day.

Wherever you are, Mommy, I LOVE YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. THANK YOU FOR BEING MY MOM, FOR LOVING ME AND TAKING CARE OF ME, EVEN IF IT WAS JUST A FEW BRIEF YEARS, I KNOW THAT YOU LOVED ME AND WOULD DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT ME. I HOPE THAT WHEREVER YOU ARE, YOU ARE HAPPY AND AT PEACE.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

"Til death do us part" or "blood is thicker than water"

If you are or were married, you probably asked this question at least once in your lifetime. Which is more important: "Til death do us part" or "Blood is thicker than water?" If you think there is an easy answer to your problem, think again. I suggest you do not even attempt to answer it. A good solution is the ability to create balance between the two and realize your priorities.
When you were born, you had a family who took care of you, and you viewed your family as a single unit. They catered to your every need and made sure you grew up to be a good and successful person. Yes, you had your extended family, but they were that - extended. Your family was composed of your Dad and Mom and your siblings.
The sun rose and fell, time flew by, you grew up and got married. Now you are starting a new chapter in your life where you are the one in charge of your own family. Where the responsibility of keeping your family together, making sure your kids were taken care of and that they grow to be successful men and women lies on both you and your wife. Yes, some people might say that a mom or a dad cannot be replaced, unlike husbands or wives. This is where the saying "Blood is thicker than water comes in." But since you got married, they are now the "extended" family, and you have your own. Think about it. They did what they had to do, just like you when you raise your kids and take good care of them. Same as when you grow old, when all the kids are married and have their own lives, it will be back to you and your husband/wife. It started with the two of you and ends with the two of you.
Nowadays it is so easy to say "That's it, I'm done. Let's get a divorce." However, remember when you said your vows before God? "Til Death do us part." You vowed in front of God that you will be by your husband's/wife's side in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer. It will be your spouse's hand you will hold the rest of your life...and yet, you owe your life to your dad and mom. Actually, you don't really owe them because they wanted to have you and to raise you. You just have to love them and remember them specially when they grow old.
If you find yourself asking this question, it is not an easy road to follow, but just like everything, you must learn how to create balance in the situation and to keep a good perspective of things. Your priority is your own family, that is first and foremost, because you have vowed before God to love and protect your own family. But this does not mean you will forget your blood family, you must care about them, but don't make your life revolve around them, your life must revolve around your wife and your children first, and then your extended family. After all, there is a lot of love to spread around...this is one thing that does not ran out - LOVE.

Roses from Heaven

A few weeks ago, I was reviewing emails, cleaning my inbox. Then I came across my niece's email. She shared a very inspiring story, a story that shows how much God loves us and that He will answer our prayers, if only we would knock on His door and ask. My niece included a novena to St. Therese of the Child Jesus - one that involves praying 24 Glory be's and the Novena to St. Therese. Her story about how her prayers have been answered to the last minor detail has inspired me to pray the novena. My sister has a condition that has no cure, only treatments for her symptoms. She was scheduled for another major surgery and I knew in my heart that she was scared this time around. And this was reason enough to pray for her. I prayed every night and even created the mood for prayer by listening to Christian music. The novena's story states that when your prayers are going to be answered, you will see or receive red roses from heaven. I haven't even finished my nine day novena and I already started seeing these roses, and this brought joy to my heart because I know God will extend His healing touch and heal my sister. Sometimes I find myself doubting and asking myself how sure I was, and then from out of nowhere, on tv, in magazines or anywhere, I would see the rose/s. And then my faith would just bounce back and happiness just envelopes me. Within these nine days, I found another novena to St. Therese, tucked in my Bible, and if those roses weren't enough to show me that God was reaching out to me through St. Therese, this did. This morning I was looking at pictures of a friend on Facebook, and guess who's image I saw? An image of St. Therese of the Child Jesus looking straight at me, smiling. So now tell me, is there ever any doubt that my prayers are answered? Nope, nothing, because in my heart I know God has heard my prayers.

My sister is still in the hospital recovering, but she is doing very well...and I know that when she gets better, she would be 100% well.

I love you Jesus! Thank you for hearing my prayers.

As promised, I am sharing this novena to everyone who reads my blog and give each one of you a chance to knock on God's door and ask Him for His help, His love and His understanding.

NOVENA OF 24 GLORY BE TO THE FATHER TO

ST. THERESE OF THE CHILD JESUS

AND THE

HOLY FACE OF SPECIAL FAVORS

The twenty four Glory Be to the Father Novena can be said anytime, any day. However, the 9th and 17th of the month is particularly recommended for those days the petitioner joins all those making the novena.

PRAYER

St. Therese the Little Flower, pick me a rose from your heavenly garden and send it to me with a message of love. Ask God to grant me the favor I implore. Tell Him I will love him each day more and more.

24 Glory be...between each Glory be, say "St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us."

PRAYER TO ST. THERESE

Most Blessed Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I ask you thru the merits of St. Therese of the Child Jesus during the 24 years of her earthly life, to obtain for me thru her intercession this grace _______(mention request)

MIRACULOUS INVOCATION TO ST THERESE

O Glorious St. Therese, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid and counsel mankind, I implore your Miraculous Intercession. So powerful are you in obtaining every need of body and soul, that our Holy Mother Church proclaims you a "Prodigy of Miracles...the Greatest Saint of Modern Times." Now I fervently beseech you to answer my petition (mention here) and to carry out your promises of spending Heaven doing good upon earth...of letting fall from heaven a Shower of Roses. Henceforth, dear Little Flower, I will fulfill your plea "to be made known everywhere" and I will never cease to lead others to Jesus through you. Amen.

THE ORIGIN OF THE NOVENA

Fr. Putigan, a Jesuit, began the novena to St. Therese of the Child Jesus on December 3, 1925 to ask this saint for one great favor. For nine days he recited the "Glory Be..." twenty four times each day, thanking the Holy Trinity for the favors and graces showered on St. Therese during her twenty four years she lived on earth. The priest asked the said that, as a sign that his novena was heard, he would receive from someone a freshly plucked rose. On the third day, an unknown person was looking for Fr. Putigan and presented him with a beautiful rose.

Fr. Putigan began a second novena on December 24 of the same year. As a sign, he asked for a white rose. On the fourth day of this novena, one of the Sister Nurses brought him a white rose with these words: "St. Therese sent you this rose."

The priest was amazed and so he asked:"Where did you get it?" "I was in the chapel," said the sister, "as I was leaving, I passed by the altar above which hangs a beautiful picture of St. Therese. This rose fell on my feet, I want to put it back into the bouquet, but I thought instead of bringing it to you.

Fr. Putigan received the favors he had petitioned of the Little Flower of Jesus. He promised to spread the novena to increase devotion to her and thus bring her more honor. In this fashion, from the 9th tot he 17th of the month, those who want the novena of "Twenty Four Glory Be to the Father" should add to those of their own, the intentions of all who are at the time making the novena, thus forming one great prayer in common.