IN QUIAPO, WE STARTED OUR NOVENA TO EL SENOR NAZARENO.
WE JOINED THEMANY DEVOTEES, AT MASS
WE CLIMBED THE STEPS DAILY TO TOUCH HIS GARMENTS.
DON'S DEVOTION TO THE NAZARENO STARTED WHEN HE WAS IN COLLEGE, AT THE MAPUA.
DAILY HE VISITED EL SENOR NAZARENO.
WHEN HE HAD AGREED TO UNDERGO SURGERY, HE ASKED THAT WE GO TO THE NAZARENO
WE STARTED THE NOVENA
WE SOUGHT THE NAZARENO'S HEALING MERCY
WE ASKED THAT HE SHOW US THE WAY TO OVEROCME THE MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS IN OUR HEARTS
I PRAYED THAT DON BE SPARED OF PAIN AND DISCOMFORT
I WENT TO CONFESSION THERE BEFOERE WE LEFT FOR LOS ANGELES
IT WAS THERE TOO WHERE WE OFFERED MASSES FOR THE POOR SOULS AS DIRECTED BY FR GEORGE
ALL OUR CHILDREN AND OUR FRIENDS AND CLASSMATES WERE REQUESTED BY DON TO VISIT QUIAPO ANDSAY A PRAYER FOR HIM
IN ALBAY HE ASKED ALL HIS SIBLINGS TO GO TO THE SENOR NAZARENO
WHEN WE ARRIVED IN LOS ANGELES, ALICE AND TONY AND VILMA CAME TO SEE DON.
WHEN HE EARD OF THE DEVOTION TOT HE NAZARENO , ALICE TOLD US , THAT IT IS CLAIMED THAT WHOEVER PETITIONS EL SENOR NAZARENO HAS TO BE READY FOR A LONG WALK TO GOLGOTHA..A LONG WAIT FOR PRAYERS TO BE ANSWERED
AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, DOC JEAN CORTES ZALAMEA BEGAN HER DAILY CALLS.
JEAN IS A AFRIEND OF LONG AGO. WE BOTH HAVE A SPEACIAL PLACE IN OUR HEARTS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAITED.
SHE SUPPORTED US THROUGH EACH DAY OF UNCERTAINTY AND VERY KINDLY SENT THE NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
FROM FLORIDA ON TO THIS DAY, DON HAS NOT MISSED PRAYING THE ROSARY AND THE CHAPLET IN HONOR OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD
AND YES...ON THE DAY WE WERE DEPARTING FROM FLORIDA FOR RHODE ISLAND ..GOD;S MYSTERIOUS WAYS STRUCK US ANEW.
WE HAD GONE TO THE AIRPORT EARLY ENOUGH
HANS DROVE US TO THE SOUTHWEST TERMINAL
ON A WHEEL CHAIR WE WERE ASSISTED TO GATE 3 C
A GENTLEMAN WAS SITTING IN FRONT OF US
BESIDE HIM WAS A BLANKETTED PERSON
LATER ON WE FOUND OUT SHE WAS DIANNE, HIS WIFE
SHE WAS TIRED AND HAD CHOSEN TO SLEEP ON THE AIRPORT BENCH.
HE STRUCK A CONVERSATION WITH DON WHEN HE SAW THE HEART PILLOW OF DON
THE CLEVELAND CLINIC RED HEART PILLOW IF OFTEN A SIGN THAT THE PERSON HAS UNDERGONE
SURGERY
AND AS DON WAS ON THE PHONE HE MOVED TO MY SIDE AND TOLD ME A LOT OF THINGS ABOUT SURGERY AND DEPRESSION .
AND ON AND ON AND ON HE SPOKE WITH ME ..
WITH MANY IMPORTANT GUIDELINES FORM ONE WHO HAS UNDERGONE A HEART SURGERY
I LISTENED ..TERRIBLY GRATEFUL FOR THE FIRST HAND STORIES..SHARED FROM HIS QUADRUPLED HEART
HE ASKED US IF WE ARE CHRISTIANS
I ANSWERED YES...WE ARE ROMAN CATHOLICS.
AND ALL THE MORE THE EXCHANGE BECAME INTERESTING
HE WAS A DEACON
THEY DISTRIBUTE CRUCIFIXES FROM TALAHASSEE FLORIDA
AND AS THE CONVERSATION COVERED TOPICS OF FAITH ...
THERE WAS ONE REALITY THAT STRUCK US ..
HE WAS CONNECTED WITH THE PUBLISHER AND DISTRIBUTOR OF THE PRAYER MANUAL OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS
HE WAS A BAPTIST.
HE LEFT ME WITH TWO BOOKS AND TOLD ME ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CATHOLICS AND BAPTISTS.
AND IN THE LENGTHY AND EMOTION FILLED DIALOGUE ON FAITH AND FAITH EXPERIENCE ,
THIS I KNOW ...THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS WAS SHED FOR ALL OF US ..WAITING AT GATE 3 C OF THE JACKSONVILLE AIRPORT ON A DAY THAT SOUTHWEST FLT 860 WAS FLYING ON TOT TAMPA AND LATER IN THEDAY TO PROVIDENCE RHODE ISLAND.
OH GOD YOUR WAYS ARE TRULY MYSTERIOUS !!!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
AND DON SLEPT..
Tito Tony and Tita Loly brougt us to Jacksonville. We stayed with Tita Ida for 2 nights.
Austin, JOshua and Jacob the 3 sons of Hans spent some time with us.
We visited Tita Ida's new apartment. Lovely place. Ideally located near the Parish church of the Resurrection
We feasted on her special dishes...lengua..nilaga...paksiw..apay...shrimps...baked ribs..broiled chicken..endless...
Well the boys truly enjoyed Tita Ida's food.
Austin says it so nicely. "Lola Ida is the best in the world. She cooks FOOD!!"
Their other grandma cooks spaghetti. Hahaha.
On March 25th, we spent time at the perpetual adoration chapel of the Parish of the HOly Trinity.
And by God's grace...Don finally had his GENUINE NIGHT SLEEP.
It was not disrupted...
It was truly a calm night.
He slept so well.
He did not hear our voices..IDA , GLO AND CLEO AND MINE.
.
Tita Ida and I were awake all night.
Preparing our luggage
Sharing dreams
It is always a grace to meet up with Ida.
It is always energizing.
Austin, JOshua and Jacob the 3 sons of Hans spent some time with us.
We visited Tita Ida's new apartment. Lovely place. Ideally located near the Parish church of the Resurrection
We feasted on her special dishes...lengua..nilaga...paksiw..apay...shrimps...baked ribs..broiled chicken..endless...
Well the boys truly enjoyed Tita Ida's food.
Austin says it so nicely. "Lola Ida is the best in the world. She cooks FOOD!!"
Their other grandma cooks spaghetti. Hahaha.
On March 25th, we spent time at the perpetual adoration chapel of the Parish of the HOly Trinity.
And by God's grace...Don finally had his GENUINE NIGHT SLEEP.
It was not disrupted...
It was truly a calm night.
He slept so well.
He did not hear our voices..IDA , GLO AND CLEO AND MINE.
.
Tita Ida and I were awake all night.
Preparing our luggage
Sharing dreams
It is always a grace to meet up with Ida.
It is always energizing.
HUMBLED BUT IN SOLIDARITY
A few days ago I received word from Shelmed that 2 of our flower makers passed away
One in the evening and the other, the morning after.
I felt a loneliness that I could not explain .
Our producers , come and go but our flower makers through the years have kept us company.
I thought of death
I thought of the pain of separation
I thought of our many producers who have gone ...one by one...and some I will never get to say goodbye..
They will never be replaced as no one in their family have interest in the business
I thought of the wake that I will miss and hoped that Shelmed officers will find it in their heart to visit with their families .and be in solidarity.
There is something about wakes that make be truly humble
In the casket is a friend who has responded to her mortality
In the casket is a friend who has accepted the end to the first phase of BEING..
HUMBLED.
YET ONE IN SOLIDARITY.
DEATH COMES IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS
FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS
AT TIMES THAT WE DO NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND AND SOMETIMES CANNOT ACCEPT..
DEATH REMINDS US THAT LIFE IS A GIFT
WRAPPED WITH THE RIBBONS OF HELPLESSNESS
THE DEPARTURE REMINDS US THAT SOON WE WILL BE ALONE AND LONELINESS HAS STARTED WITH GRIEF..
LIKE JESUS IN GETHSEMANE...THERE IS GRIEF...
HE UNDERWENT HIS PASSION ...ALONE
THE APOSTLES SLEPT
THERE IS NO ONE TO KEEP JESUS COMPANY
MUSIC
PRAYERS
FLOWERS
PEOPLE AT THE WAKE...
AND YET IN OUR FAITH
THIS PASSION SUNDAY
WE ONLY NEED THE FRONDS ..
TO REMIND US OF PASSION AND DEATH
OF A MAN WHO LOVED US
IN OUR HEARTS THERE WILL BE MUSIC
IN OUR MEMORY THERE WILL BE FLOWERS
IN CHURCH PEOPLE HAVE COME TO RENEW IN FAITH
THAT JESUS HAS STARTED HIS PASSION AND WILL DIE TO RISE AGAIN
AND WE WILL REMEMBER HIS LOVE
WE WERE NOT AT HIS WAKE..
YET TODAY WE ARE HUMBLED AND WE ARE IN SOLIDARITY
One in the evening and the other, the morning after.
I felt a loneliness that I could not explain .
Our producers , come and go but our flower makers through the years have kept us company.
I thought of death
I thought of the pain of separation
I thought of our many producers who have gone ...one by one...and some I will never get to say goodbye..
They will never be replaced as no one in their family have interest in the business
I thought of the wake that I will miss and hoped that Shelmed officers will find it in their heart to visit with their families .and be in solidarity.
There is something about wakes that make be truly humble
In the casket is a friend who has responded to her mortality
In the casket is a friend who has accepted the end to the first phase of BEING..
HUMBLED.
YET ONE IN SOLIDARITY.
DEATH COMES IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS
FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS
AT TIMES THAT WE DO NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND AND SOMETIMES CANNOT ACCEPT..
DEATH REMINDS US THAT LIFE IS A GIFT
WRAPPED WITH THE RIBBONS OF HELPLESSNESS
THE DEPARTURE REMINDS US THAT SOON WE WILL BE ALONE AND LONELINESS HAS STARTED WITH GRIEF..
LIKE JESUS IN GETHSEMANE...THERE IS GRIEF...
HE UNDERWENT HIS PASSION ...ALONE
THE APOSTLES SLEPT
THERE IS NO ONE TO KEEP JESUS COMPANY
MUSIC
PRAYERS
FLOWERS
PEOPLE AT THE WAKE...
AND YET IN OUR FAITH
THIS PASSION SUNDAY
WE ONLY NEED THE FRONDS ..
TO REMIND US OF PASSION AND DEATH
OF A MAN WHO LOVED US
IN OUR HEARTS THERE WILL BE MUSIC
IN OUR MEMORY THERE WILL BE FLOWERS
IN CHURCH PEOPLE HAVE COME TO RENEW IN FAITH
THAT JESUS HAS STARTED HIS PASSION AND WILL DIE TO RISE AGAIN
AND WE WILL REMEMBER HIS LOVE
WE WERE NOT AT HIS WAKE..
YET TODAY WE ARE HUMBLED AND WE ARE IN SOLIDARITY
Thursday, March 18, 2010
THOUGHTS ..ON A SOFA .
PALM COAST ..ON A QUIET AFTERNOON
AN AFTER THOUGHT
DON AND I HAVE HAD SO MUCH TIME TOGETHER
BUT LAST NIGHT WAS DIFFERENT
WE LAUGHED AND TALKED AND DREAMT
TITO TONY AND TITA LOLY HAD TO GO TO A DINNER AND DON DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT
GOING OUT . HE HAD JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH OF SLURS.
SO WE STAYED HOME AND COOKED OUR DINNER
..WE HAD SALAD AND STEAK FOR DINNER
THEN HE SAT DOWN AND I JOINED HIM..AFTER CLEANING THE KITCHEN ..
THERE WAS NO MUSIC AVAILABLE
BUT WE HAD LOTS OF LAUGHTER
AND TIME TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT TO DO AFTER GOING HOME
DON TOLD ME HE WANTS TO SERVE
HE WANTS TO ACTIVELY SERVE THROUGH DIOS MABALOS PO FOUNDATION
FOR YEARS NOW HE HAS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED DMPF
PROVIDING ALL THE SALARIES AND OPERATIONAL EXPENSE OF DMPF
BUT NOW HE WANTS TO DO MORE
HANDS ON ..
THESE QUOTES ARE AFTER THOUGHTS ...
COME ON DON...LET'S MOVE ON ...LET'S CONTINUE TO SERVE..
GOD IS OUR EMPLOYER.
1. "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do
know: the only ones among you who will be truly happy will be those
who have sought and found how to serve."
--Albert Schweitzer
2. "A joy that's shared is a joy made double."
--John Ray
3. "If all our happiness is bound up entirely in our personal
circumstances it is difficult not to demand of life more than it
has to give."
--Bertrand Russell
4. "The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions - the
little, soon forgotten charities of a kiss or smile, a kind look, a
heartfelt compliment, and the countless infinitesimals of
pleasurable and genial feeling."
--Samuel Taylor Coleridge
5. "In the power to change yourself is the power to change the
world around you."
--Anwar Sadat
6. "I am old enough to know that victory is often a thing deferred,
and rarely at the summit of courage. What is at the summit of
courage, I think is freedom. The freedom that comes with the
knowledge that no earthly thing can break you."
--Paula Giddings
7. "The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of
everything. They just make the best of everything."
--Sol Gordon
AN AFTER THOUGHT
DON AND I HAVE HAD SO MUCH TIME TOGETHER
BUT LAST NIGHT WAS DIFFERENT
WE LAUGHED AND TALKED AND DREAMT
TITO TONY AND TITA LOLY HAD TO GO TO A DINNER AND DON DID NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT
GOING OUT . HE HAD JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH OF SLURS.
SO WE STAYED HOME AND COOKED OUR DINNER
..WE HAD SALAD AND STEAK FOR DINNER
THEN HE SAT DOWN AND I JOINED HIM..AFTER CLEANING THE KITCHEN ..
THERE WAS NO MUSIC AVAILABLE
BUT WE HAD LOTS OF LAUGHTER
AND TIME TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT TO DO AFTER GOING HOME
DON TOLD ME HE WANTS TO SERVE
HE WANTS TO ACTIVELY SERVE THROUGH DIOS MABALOS PO FOUNDATION
FOR YEARS NOW HE HAS GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED DMPF
PROVIDING ALL THE SALARIES AND OPERATIONAL EXPENSE OF DMPF
BUT NOW HE WANTS TO DO MORE
HANDS ON ..
THESE QUOTES ARE AFTER THOUGHTS ...
COME ON DON...LET'S MOVE ON ...LET'S CONTINUE TO SERVE..
GOD IS OUR EMPLOYER.
1. "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do
know: the only ones among you who will be truly happy will be those
who have sought and found how to serve."
--Albert Schweitzer
2. "A joy that's shared is a joy made double."
--John Ray
3. "If all our happiness is bound up entirely in our personal
circumstances it is difficult not to demand of life more than it
has to give."
--Bertrand Russell
4. "The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions - the
little, soon forgotten charities of a kiss or smile, a kind look, a
heartfelt compliment, and the countless infinitesimals of
pleasurable and genial feeling."
--Samuel Taylor Coleridge
5. "In the power to change yourself is the power to change the
world around you."
--Anwar Sadat
6. "I am old enough to know that victory is often a thing deferred,
and rarely at the summit of courage. What is at the summit of
courage, I think is freedom. The freedom that comes with the
knowledge that no earthly thing can break you."
--Paula Giddings
7. "The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of
everything. They just make the best of everything."
--Sol Gordon
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
I LEAVE IT AT THE FOOT OF MARY
WE THANK GOD THAT HE ANSWERED OUR PRAYER FOR DON TO BE SPARED OF RADIATION
BUT THERE IS NO CERTAINTY THAT THE TUMOR WILL NOT GROW AGAIN.IN FOUR MONTHS TIME DON WILL HAVE TO UNDER A CT SCAN ...AND EVERY 4 MONTHS THEREAFTER
DEAR ALL
HEREUNDER IS THE LONG AWAITED REPORT OF DR CHRISTOPHER CHEN OF CLEVELAND CLINIC
WESTON CITY. HE IS THE RADIATION ONCOLOGIST THAT DR SAVAGE ASKED TO SPEAK WITH US
HE REFERRED PAPA TO MR THYMOMA IN INDIANA..DR PATRICK LOEHRER.
WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON APRIL 12 1 PM INDIANAPOLIS
THE APPOINTMENT AGENDA IS WITH REGARDS TO THE MARGIN BETWEEN THYMOMA STAGE 2 AND THYMOMA STAGE 3 AND NEED FOR RADIATION AND THE CONSIDERATION OF A CLINICAL TRIAL
AS OF TONIGHT PAPA IS THINKING TWICE ABOUT GOING TO INDIANA
ONE STEP AT A TIME
TESS A OF ALBANY HAS OFFERED TO MEET US IN CHICAGO AND LIEZEL THE DAUGHTER OF MANOY HAS OFFERED TO DRIVE US TO INDIANA FROM CHICAGO
CHRIS IS LOOKING INTO JOINING US FOR THE DOCTORS VISIT
WEST VIRGINIA IS NOT FAR FROM INDIANA
TIYEN SORRA HAS PROPOSED THAT WE CONSIDER A NEURO ONCOLOGIST INSTEAD OF GOING TO INDIANA WE SHOULD GO TO BALTIMORE .
WE ALSO HAVE AN ORDER FOR THE PULMO FUNCTION TEST BY THE NEURO DR MICHEL PULLEY
DON SAYS HE WILL DO THIS IN MANILA
WE WISH TO FLY BACK ON APRIL 9TH WHICH WILL BE ABOUT 6 WEEKS POST SURGERY
IF SO THEN WE WILL NOT GO TO INDIANA
IF WE GO TO INDIANA WE MAY HAVE TO DEPART ABOUT APRIL 16TH
NO FINAL DECISION YET
FOR TONIGHT ...I LEAVE IT AT THE FOOT OF MARY
CHEERS
MAMA /TITA MED/MED
Hi Mr. and Mrs. Villanueva,
I have reviewed the pathology report, which shows early stage II disease.
I therefore do not recommend radiation therapy.
Instead, I recommend CT scans of the neck/upper chest every 4 months.
You should follow-up with a neurologist as well and have him order these tests.
Best wishes!
Christopher Chen
"FINAL DIAGNOSIS
CLEVELAND CLINIC FLORIDA, WESTON, FL (S10-2320)
Thymus gland, excision
-Lymphocytic-rich thymoma (predominantly WHO type B1), focally
invasive (see comment)
COMMENT
The tumor is composed of multiple lobules of polygonal large
epithelial cells in a prominent background of lymphocytes. The
tumor focally extends into the pericapsular fibroadipose tissue
and is adherent to the visceral pleura of the lung tissue present
with the specimen. The peripheral margins are negative (less than
0.1cm) The pathologic stage is T2 (tumor invades pericapsular
connective tissue ) NX MX (stage ll). Immunohistochemical stains
for cytokeratins CAM 5.2 , AE1/AE3 and 5/6 were performed at the
Cleveland Clinic Ohio for the evaluation of this case. Dr. James
cook has also reviewed selected slides from this case and
concurs.
Electronically signed by A. Valeria Arrossi, MD
BUT THERE IS NO CERTAINTY THAT THE TUMOR WILL NOT GROW AGAIN.IN FOUR MONTHS TIME DON WILL HAVE TO UNDER A CT SCAN ...AND EVERY 4 MONTHS THEREAFTER
DEAR ALL
HEREUNDER IS THE LONG AWAITED REPORT OF DR CHRISTOPHER CHEN OF CLEVELAND CLINIC
WESTON CITY. HE IS THE RADIATION ONCOLOGIST THAT DR SAVAGE ASKED TO SPEAK WITH US
HE REFERRED PAPA TO MR THYMOMA IN INDIANA..DR PATRICK LOEHRER.
WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT ON APRIL 12 1 PM INDIANAPOLIS
THE APPOINTMENT AGENDA IS WITH REGARDS TO THE MARGIN BETWEEN THYMOMA STAGE 2 AND THYMOMA STAGE 3 AND NEED FOR RADIATION AND THE CONSIDERATION OF A CLINICAL TRIAL
AS OF TONIGHT PAPA IS THINKING TWICE ABOUT GOING TO INDIANA
ONE STEP AT A TIME
TESS A OF ALBANY HAS OFFERED TO MEET US IN CHICAGO AND LIEZEL THE DAUGHTER OF MANOY HAS OFFERED TO DRIVE US TO INDIANA FROM CHICAGO
CHRIS IS LOOKING INTO JOINING US FOR THE DOCTORS VISIT
WEST VIRGINIA IS NOT FAR FROM INDIANA
TIYEN SORRA HAS PROPOSED THAT WE CONSIDER A NEURO ONCOLOGIST INSTEAD OF GOING TO INDIANA WE SHOULD GO TO BALTIMORE .
WE ALSO HAVE AN ORDER FOR THE PULMO FUNCTION TEST BY THE NEURO DR MICHEL PULLEY
DON SAYS HE WILL DO THIS IN MANILA
WE WISH TO FLY BACK ON APRIL 9TH WHICH WILL BE ABOUT 6 WEEKS POST SURGERY
IF SO THEN WE WILL NOT GO TO INDIANA
IF WE GO TO INDIANA WE MAY HAVE TO DEPART ABOUT APRIL 16TH
NO FINAL DECISION YET
FOR TONIGHT ...I LEAVE IT AT THE FOOT OF MARY
CHEERS
MAMA /TITA MED/MED
Hi Mr. and Mrs. Villanueva,
I have reviewed the pathology report, which shows early stage II disease.
I therefore do not recommend radiation therapy.
Instead, I recommend CT scans of the neck/upper chest every 4 months.
You should follow-up with a neurologist as well and have him order these tests.
Best wishes!
Christopher Chen
"FINAL DIAGNOSIS
CLEVELAND CLINIC FLORIDA, WESTON, FL (S10-2320)
Thymus gland, excision
-Lymphocytic-rich thymoma (predominantly WHO type B1), focally
invasive (see comment)
COMMENT
The tumor is composed of multiple lobules of polygonal large
epithelial cells in a prominent background of lymphocytes. The
tumor focally extends into the pericapsular fibroadipose tissue
and is adherent to the visceral pleura of the lung tissue present
with the specimen. The peripheral margins are negative (less than
0.1cm) The pathologic stage is T2 (tumor invades pericapsular
connective tissue ) NX MX (stage ll). Immunohistochemical stains
for cytokeratins CAM 5.2 , AE1/AE3 and 5/6 were performed at the
Cleveland Clinic Ohio for the evaluation of this case. Dr. James
cook has also reviewed selected slides from this case and
concurs.
Electronically signed by A. Valeria Arrossi, MD
FLOUNDER SANDWICH
THERE WAS TOO MUCH ANTICIPATION
FOR THE
THICK AND JUICY
FLOUNDER SANDWICH
11 MILES OUT THERE
SOMEWHERE
WE DROVE
FOR A
FLOUNDER SANDWICH
IT WAS NICE AND COOL
OH NO JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO COOL
THE PAPER BAG WAS BROUGHT IN
AND FRIES WERE ON THE TOP
A BITE HERE
A BITE AGAIN
THEN OFF WE SPED BACK HOME
AHHH...FOR THE FIRST BITE
AHHH...FOR THE LEVEL OF EXPECTATION
AHHH...FOR GUSTATORY DELIGHT
AHHH...FOR THE SADNESS
FLOUNDERS ...TASTELESS
HOW MANY TIMES OVER WILL WE FEEL THIS WAY
HOW MANY MORE TIMES WILL FOOD BE TAKEN
INTO A TASTELESS PALATE
WAS FOOD MADE FOR THE TASTE ?
WAS TASTE MADE FOR THE FOOD ?
OR WAS FOOD MADE FOR YOU AND ME ?
FOR THAT WE GIVE THANKS.
AND WAS TASTE A BONUS FOR THE FOOD?
FOR THE
THICK AND JUICY
FLOUNDER SANDWICH
11 MILES OUT THERE
SOMEWHERE
WE DROVE
FOR A
FLOUNDER SANDWICH
IT WAS NICE AND COOL
OH NO JUST A LITTLE BIT TOO COOL
THE PAPER BAG WAS BROUGHT IN
AND FRIES WERE ON THE TOP
A BITE HERE
A BITE AGAIN
THEN OFF WE SPED BACK HOME
AHHH...FOR THE FIRST BITE
AHHH...FOR THE LEVEL OF EXPECTATION
AHHH...FOR GUSTATORY DELIGHT
AHHH...FOR THE SADNESS
FLOUNDERS ...TASTELESS
HOW MANY TIMES OVER WILL WE FEEL THIS WAY
HOW MANY MORE TIMES WILL FOOD BE TAKEN
INTO A TASTELESS PALATE
WAS FOOD MADE FOR THE TASTE ?
WAS TASTE MADE FOR THE FOOD ?
OR WAS FOOD MADE FOR YOU AND ME ?
FOR THAT WE GIVE THANKS.
AND WAS TASTE A BONUS FOR THE FOOD?
I ASK NO MORE THE REASON WHY
AT PALM COAST
SORRA RESIDENE
ANXIOUSLY WAITING
I ASK NO MORE THE REASON WHY
THE PATH AHEAD I DO NOT SEE
FOR THOUGH I KNOW NOT ALL
THIS I KNOW
HE KNOWS
THE PATH HE CHOOSES FOR DON
AND THIS I TRULY KNOW
IT IS THE BEST
IT IS THE MASTER'S PLAN
FIAT...
THERE ARE REASONS
THERE ARE SEASONS
I HAVE SURRENDERED
WHEN WILL THE PATHO RESULTS BE GIVEN
THE DAYS HAVE COME AND GONE
MORNINGS HAVE BROKEN AND NOW
THE NIGHTS ARE HERE
SOON
WILL I HAVE WEEEKS TO COUNT?
WILL THE WEEKS BE MONTHS TOO SOON?
I ASK NO MORE WHEN WILL WE HEAR FROM THEM
AND AS THERE MAY BE REASONS FOR THE DELAY
I CLOSE MY EYES
I HEAVE A SIGH
THOU ART MY GOD
I ASK NO MORE THE REASON WHY
.
SORRA RESIDENE
ANXIOUSLY WAITING
I ASK NO MORE THE REASON WHY
THE PATH AHEAD I DO NOT SEE
FOR THOUGH I KNOW NOT ALL
THIS I KNOW
HE KNOWS
THE PATH HE CHOOSES FOR DON
AND THIS I TRULY KNOW
IT IS THE BEST
IT IS THE MASTER'S PLAN
FIAT...
THERE ARE REASONS
THERE ARE SEASONS
I HAVE SURRENDERED
WHEN WILL THE PATHO RESULTS BE GIVEN
THE DAYS HAVE COME AND GONE
MORNINGS HAVE BROKEN AND NOW
THE NIGHTS ARE HERE
SOON
WILL I HAVE WEEEKS TO COUNT?
WILL THE WEEKS BE MONTHS TOO SOON?
I ASK NO MORE WHEN WILL WE HEAR FROM THEM
AND AS THERE MAY BE REASONS FOR THE DELAY
I CLOSE MY EYES
I HEAVE A SIGH
THOU ART MY GOD
I ASK NO MORE THE REASON WHY
.
WHAT'S IN A NAME ? CHRISTO-PHER
CHRISTO-PHER ..ONE WHO CARRIED CHRIST
HIS NAME HAS BEEN CONTESTED
BUT THIS TIME NO ONE CAN CONTEST
HE BROUGHT CHRIST
THE COMPASSION OF THE CHRIST
NOT FROM CHILLY, COLD , SNOWY WEST VIRGINIA
BUT FROM THE WARMTH OF HIS DISTANT PAST
ALONG SIDE
AS DON TRIED TO OVERCOME
THE RESTLESSNESS CAUSED BY MORPHINE
THE QUESTIONS UNASKED
THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
THE CONFUSION OF THE UNKNOWN
THE UNCERTAINTY
CHRIS WAS THERE
IN THE EARLY MORN OF FEBRUARY 19TH
HE DROVE FROM HIS HOME TO PITTSBURG
ON A HIGHWAY WITH SNOW BORDERS
IT TOOK HIM 3 HOURS
HE WAS AT THE AIRPORT AT 5 AM
SLEEPLESS
HE FLEW IN
STOPPED OVER IN NORTH CAROLINA
RENTED A CAR
DROVE TO THE HOSPITAL
AND ARRIVED AT HIGH NOON
JUST WHEN DON WAS READY TO BE LED OUT TO THE RECOVERY ROOM
HE WAS THERE FOR ALL OF US
A CHRIST0-PHER.
HIS NAME HAS BEEN CONTESTED
BUT THIS TIME NO ONE CAN CONTEST
HE BROUGHT CHRIST
THE COMPASSION OF THE CHRIST
NOT FROM CHILLY, COLD , SNOWY WEST VIRGINIA
BUT FROM THE WARMTH OF HIS DISTANT PAST
ALONG SIDE
AS DON TRIED TO OVERCOME
THE RESTLESSNESS CAUSED BY MORPHINE
THE QUESTIONS UNASKED
THE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
THE CONFUSION OF THE UNKNOWN
THE UNCERTAINTY
CHRIS WAS THERE
IN THE EARLY MORN OF FEBRUARY 19TH
HE DROVE FROM HIS HOME TO PITTSBURG
ON A HIGHWAY WITH SNOW BORDERS
IT TOOK HIM 3 HOURS
HE WAS AT THE AIRPORT AT 5 AM
SLEEPLESS
HE FLEW IN
STOPPED OVER IN NORTH CAROLINA
RENTED A CAR
DROVE TO THE HOSPITAL
AND ARRIVED AT HIGH NOON
JUST WHEN DON WAS READY TO BE LED OUT TO THE RECOVERY ROOM
HE WAS THERE FOR ALL OF US
A CHRIST0-PHER.
PYJAMA FRIENDS
NOTES
POST OPERATION CLEVELAND CLINIC WESTON CITY
MAROON COLORED PYJAMAS
TWO SETS
VARIED PRINTS
GREY COLORED PYJAMAS
SUBTLE SHADE WITH PRINTS
SOLID BLUE PUJAMA
SKY BLUE
TO MANY IT IS JUST A SLEEP WEAR
TO MANY IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS...MEN'S WEAR
I RECALL MY PANIC
I HAD LEFT THE SLEEPWEARS IN TAMPA
FOR IT WAS NOT PLANNED THAT WE WOULD HAVE SURGERY OF DON IN CLEVELAND WESTON CITY
BUT FRIENDS
SOMETIMES
JUST KNOW
JUST FEEL
JUST THINK
AND SLEEPWEARS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN
FOR HIM WHO WEARS THE PYJAMA
FOR HER WHO KNOWS
THEIR FRIENDS WHO BROUGHT THE PYJAMA
ARE GEMS
TRULY WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE FRIENDS
THANK GOD
THANK YOU
THE PYJAMA BEARERS
TITO TONY TITA LOLLY
PARENG TONY MARENG VILMA
POST OPERATION CLEVELAND CLINIC WESTON CITY
MAROON COLORED PYJAMAS
TWO SETS
VARIED PRINTS
GREY COLORED PYJAMAS
SUBTLE SHADE WITH PRINTS
SOLID BLUE PUJAMA
SKY BLUE
TO MANY IT IS JUST A SLEEP WEAR
TO MANY IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS...MEN'S WEAR
I RECALL MY PANIC
I HAD LEFT THE SLEEPWEARS IN TAMPA
FOR IT WAS NOT PLANNED THAT WE WOULD HAVE SURGERY OF DON IN CLEVELAND WESTON CITY
BUT FRIENDS
SOMETIMES
JUST KNOW
JUST FEEL
JUST THINK
AND SLEEPWEARS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN
FOR HIM WHO WEARS THE PYJAMA
FOR HER WHO KNOWS
THEIR FRIENDS WHO BROUGHT THE PYJAMA
ARE GEMS
TRULY WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE FRIENDS
THANK GOD
THANK YOU
THE PYJAMA BEARERS
TITO TONY TITA LOLLY
PARENG TONY MARENG VILMA
STARDUST IN THE SKY
POST OPERATION NOTES: CLEVELAND CLINIC
He blew stardust on an empty sky
HE LOVED
HE GAVE
WE BELIEVE
WE LIVE
IN A QUIET ROOM
I HEAR THE MUSIC FROM MY PHONE
A NURSE WALKS IN
WHAT KIND OF PHONE IS THAT
REFERRING TO MY YELLOW PHONE
I SMILED
IT IS MY YELLOW PHONE
THE STARDUST IN THE SKY
HOW WOULD I HAVE KNOWN THAT CORY AND NINOY'S YELLOW PHONE
WITH PRAYERS OF CORY
AND HYMNS TOO
WITH POEMS OF NINOY
AND LOVE LETTERS TOO
WOULD ACCOMPANY ME IN THIS JOURNEY OF SOLITUDE?
REMINDING ME
HE LOVES
HE GIVES
I BELIEVE
I LIVE
I CANNOT APPROXIMATE HIS LOVE
NO ONE WILL EVER MATCH HIS LOVE
AND WHEN THE EVENING SHADOWS FALL
MY STARDUST MELODY
WILL BE A HYMN
A PRAYER
A POEM
A LOVE LETTER
TO JESUS AND MARY
TO THE ANGELS AND SAINTS
AND TO A TRIUNE GOD
FATHER SON AND HOLY SPIRIT.
He blew stardust on an empty sky
HE LOVED
HE GAVE
WE BELIEVE
WE LIVE
IN A QUIET ROOM
I HEAR THE MUSIC FROM MY PHONE
A NURSE WALKS IN
WHAT KIND OF PHONE IS THAT
REFERRING TO MY YELLOW PHONE
I SMILED
IT IS MY YELLOW PHONE
THE STARDUST IN THE SKY
HOW WOULD I HAVE KNOWN THAT CORY AND NINOY'S YELLOW PHONE
WITH PRAYERS OF CORY
AND HYMNS TOO
WITH POEMS OF NINOY
AND LOVE LETTERS TOO
WOULD ACCOMPANY ME IN THIS JOURNEY OF SOLITUDE?
REMINDING ME
HE LOVES
HE GIVES
I BELIEVE
I LIVE
I CANNOT APPROXIMATE HIS LOVE
NO ONE WILL EVER MATCH HIS LOVE
AND WHEN THE EVENING SHADOWS FALL
MY STARDUST MELODY
WILL BE A HYMN
A PRAYER
A POEM
A LOVE LETTER
TO JESUS AND MARY
TO THE ANGELS AND SAINTS
AND TO A TRIUNE GOD
FATHER SON AND HOLY SPIRIT.
We wait for the shadow..
Notes Post Op Cleveland Clinic
We wait for the shadows. We missed the sunset. Darkness will provide the cover we need..the cover we want. We wait for the safety of nightfall when we can sob as we try so very hard to sleep.
But sleep has ceased to come easily.
There is a quiet in the darkness that is broken.
But ears cannot hear it.
Our pillows have no ears.
Nurses come and go but their eyes do not see the tears
Our pillows have no tongue
They cannot betray the secret.
How the pillows were wet when darkness had fallen.
How do we count the days and the nights?
Prayer moments..extraordinary moments in time. Alone with God. Two hearts united.
But each pleading differently. One for understanding of God's plan. The other that a loved one be spared of pain. That healing comes fully. That the veil of uncertainties be lifted.
In Gods time, He will lift the shadows.
We will wait for dawn.
We wait for the shadows. We missed the sunset. Darkness will provide the cover we need..the cover we want. We wait for the safety of nightfall when we can sob as we try so very hard to sleep.
But sleep has ceased to come easily.
There is a quiet in the darkness that is broken.
But ears cannot hear it.
Our pillows have no ears.
Nurses come and go but their eyes do not see the tears
Our pillows have no tongue
They cannot betray the secret.
How the pillows were wet when darkness had fallen.
How do we count the days and the nights?
Prayer moments..extraordinary moments in time. Alone with God. Two hearts united.
But each pleading differently. One for understanding of God's plan. The other that a loved one be spared of pain. That healing comes fully. That the veil of uncertainties be lifted.
In Gods time, He will lift the shadows.
We will wait for dawn.
St Augustine, Florida.and Our Lady of la Leche
DON AND I WENT OUT YESTERDAY WITH TITO TONY AND TITA LALY.
WE SPENT SOMETIME IN ST AUGUSTINE.
THERE WE PRAYED TO OUR LADY OF LA LECHE..THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF THE CHILD.
Jesus caring for His tender Body and nursing Him through the long months of His human helplessness has inspired mothers and mothers to be ever since the miracle of Bethlehem.
Rome's second century catacombs show the Blessed Mother nursing the Child Jesus.
Europe has great art paintings showing Nuestra Senora de la Leche y Buen Parto. Our Nursing Mother of Happy Delivery. These are eloquent evidences of the devotion of women during every century to the Nursing Mother of the infant Jesus.
The story of the devotion starts in Madrid in 1598 .
The early Spanish settlers circa 1620 established the first Shrine in the very spot where the first parish Mass had been offered 55 years before at the Mission of Nombre de Dios in St Augustine, Florida.
This Shrine dedicated to Mama Mary's Divine Motherhood, is visited by thousands of mothers
asking for the blessings of Motherhood...beseeching her intercession that God will grant them a safe and happy delivery and healthy holy children.
Yes , we prayed for all the members of Familia Villanueva and Familia Shelmed and all the other women who we know have been praying for a child.
We think that St Augustine is a lovely place. We plan to return someday.
We mentioned the names of Angel and Jun, Rica and John, Kristine and Sheldon .
SEPTEMBER 8TH , THE NATIVITY OF OUR LADY, IS ALSO THE OFFICIAL DATE OF THE FOUNDING OF THE MISSION OF NOMBRE DE DIOS AND THE CITY OF ST AUGUSTINE, THE NATION'S OLDEST.
WE SPENT SOMETIME IN ST AUGUSTINE.
THERE WE PRAYED TO OUR LADY OF LA LECHE..THE VIRGIN MOTHER OF THE CHILD.
Jesus caring for His tender Body and nursing Him through the long months of His human helplessness has inspired mothers and mothers to be ever since the miracle of Bethlehem.
Rome's second century catacombs show the Blessed Mother nursing the Child Jesus.
Europe has great art paintings showing Nuestra Senora de la Leche y Buen Parto. Our Nursing Mother of Happy Delivery. These are eloquent evidences of the devotion of women during every century to the Nursing Mother of the infant Jesus.
The story of the devotion starts in Madrid in 1598 .
The early Spanish settlers circa 1620 established the first Shrine in the very spot where the first parish Mass had been offered 55 years before at the Mission of Nombre de Dios in St Augustine, Florida.
This Shrine dedicated to Mama Mary's Divine Motherhood, is visited by thousands of mothers
asking for the blessings of Motherhood...beseeching her intercession that God will grant them a safe and happy delivery and healthy holy children.
Yes , we prayed for all the members of Familia Villanueva and Familia Shelmed and all the other women who we know have been praying for a child.
We think that St Augustine is a lovely place. We plan to return someday.
We mentioned the names of Angel and Jun, Rica and John, Kristine and Sheldon .
SEPTEMBER 8TH , THE NATIVITY OF OUR LADY, IS ALSO THE OFFICIAL DATE OF THE FOUNDING OF THE MISSION OF NOMBRE DE DIOS AND THE CITY OF ST AUGUSTINE, THE NATION'S OLDEST.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
GOD SMILES
LITTLE CHILDREN
HOLD ON TO YOUR HANDS
LOOK AROUN D
SWING AROUND
HOLD ON TO YOUR HANDS
BUT WHEN THEY SHALL HAVE GROWN
WHEN IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO BE
FOR THEY ARE CALLED TO BECOME
A MATURE ADULT
WITH A RESPONSIBILITY
TO OTHERS
THE CHILDREN OF YEARS AGO
NOW CEASE TO HOLD ON TO YOUR HANDS
THEY KISS YOU GOODBYE
AND YOU SAY A BLESSING AS THEY WALK OUT OF THE DOOR
AND YOU THANK GOD
FOR THE TIME THEY SPENT WITH YOU
THE GENEROSITY OF THEIR LOVED ONES WHO ALLOWED THEM TO BE WITH YOU
AND YOU THANK GOD
FOR THE GIFT OF MEMORIES
THANK YOU WENG AND JENG
FOR THE TIME YOU SPENT WITH US
GO AND DO WHAT YOU MUST
GOD SMILES ON YOU
PAPA AND MAMA
HOLD ON TO YOUR HANDS
LOOK AROUN D
SWING AROUND
HOLD ON TO YOUR HANDS
BUT WHEN THEY SHALL HAVE GROWN
WHEN IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO BE
FOR THEY ARE CALLED TO BECOME
A MATURE ADULT
WITH A RESPONSIBILITY
TO OTHERS
THE CHILDREN OF YEARS AGO
NOW CEASE TO HOLD ON TO YOUR HANDS
THEY KISS YOU GOODBYE
AND YOU SAY A BLESSING AS THEY WALK OUT OF THE DOOR
AND YOU THANK GOD
FOR THE TIME THEY SPENT WITH YOU
THE GENEROSITY OF THEIR LOVED ONES WHO ALLOWED THEM TO BE WITH YOU
AND YOU THANK GOD
FOR THE GIFT OF MEMORIES
THANK YOU WENG AND JENG
FOR THE TIME YOU SPENT WITH US
GO AND DO WHAT YOU MUST
GOD SMILES ON YOU
PAPA AND MAMA
VESSELS OF STEEL VS FRAGILE VASES
on the day i wore a crown
on my 61st birthday
don had to remind me i am not yet 62years old
i received fragile vases
of glass and porcelain
they had beautiful tulips
fresh colorful tulips
the first time i held them
i imagined the gardens of amsterdam
from dear tess of albany new york
thoughtfulness beyond measure.
lovely red roses from tony and vilma
who flew in from san francisco
but took off and hid away from me for some hours in the afternoon
to prepare for this delicious delight of lovely blood red roses
what soothing friendship
and more red roses brought in on valentines day
by elaine for papa
i look at the vases
so fragile
so easy to break
i know that my God
even as I offered the flowers in praise petition and thanksgiving
accepted them while reminding me
that He was taking all the flowers and the vases
the fragile vases
we grew up knowing we are vessels
Our God has chosen a vessel
that may not be broken
He has chosen that in these times
that we be made of steel that He can twist
that we may not be broken
He has willed that in these times
we may have courage
the strength that comes when pressed by uncertainty
the singleminded trust that this will pass
for Don AND I and all our family and friends
are held by God's hand .
NOthing will break us ....even if we are twisted and pressed by uncertainty
WE ARE NO FRAGILE VASES
WE ARE VESSELS OF STEEL
on my 61st birthday
don had to remind me i am not yet 62years old
i received fragile vases
of glass and porcelain
they had beautiful tulips
fresh colorful tulips
the first time i held them
i imagined the gardens of amsterdam
from dear tess of albany new york
thoughtfulness beyond measure.
lovely red roses from tony and vilma
who flew in from san francisco
but took off and hid away from me for some hours in the afternoon
to prepare for this delicious delight of lovely blood red roses
what soothing friendship
and more red roses brought in on valentines day
by elaine for papa
i look at the vases
so fragile
so easy to break
i know that my God
even as I offered the flowers in praise petition and thanksgiving
accepted them while reminding me
that He was taking all the flowers and the vases
the fragile vases
we grew up knowing we are vessels
Our God has chosen a vessel
that may not be broken
He has chosen that in these times
that we be made of steel that He can twist
that we may not be broken
He has willed that in these times
we may have courage
the strength that comes when pressed by uncertainty
the singleminded trust that this will pass
for Don AND I and all our family and friends
are held by God's hand .
NOthing will break us ....even if we are twisted and pressed by uncertainty
WE ARE NO FRAGILE VASES
WE ARE VESSELS OF STEEL
THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS
I STAND
I MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
I GENUFLECT
I REFLECT
I PRAY
I SING
REPEATEDLY
SO MANY TIMES OVER
WITH VOICES OF MEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN
OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS
ONE STEP AT A TIME
FROM CONDEMNATION TO RESURRECTION
ONE STEP AT A TIME
WITH TEARS ON EYES
I HOLD ON TO THE CROSS
I FIX MY EYES ON HIM
MY JESUS
I KNOW THAT THE CROSS WILL TRIUMPH
OVER ALL THE MESTINON SIDE EFFECTS
OVER ALL THE PREDNISONE STEROID THREATS
OVER ALL THE RADIATION UNCERTAINTY
I CLAIM THE CROSS WILL TRIUMPH
EVEN AS THE NEUROLOGIST SURGEON RADIATION ONCOLOGIST AND PATHOLOGIST SHARE THEIR PROPOSALS FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND PROCEDURES
I READ REPEATEDLY THE PATHOLOGIST REPORT , BIT BY BIT
ON SIZE AND WEIGHT OF THE INVASIVE TUMOR
I READ AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND
FIRMLY SAYING NO TO ANY QUESTION OF WHY?
I READ AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND
WHAT APPEARS TO BENIGN BUT THREATENS TO BE LESS BENIGN
I READ AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE TUMOR HAD ATTACHED ITSELF TO THE PLEURA AND PERICARDIUM AND AVERY VITAL CARDIAC VEIN
AND THEN WITH TIRED SPIRIT, I SURRENDER
I DO NOT NEED TO UNDERSTAND MORE TODAY
I SURRENDER
I HOLD ON TO THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS
AND SO I REST ..MY TIRED AND WEARY BODY...
I CANNOT TAKE ANOTHER STEP RIGHT NOW
TOMORROW WILL BE ANOTHER DAY
AND YES TOMORROW ONCE MORE
IT WILL BE
ONE STEP AT A TIME
I CLAIM THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS.
ALAS THIS HAS BEEN MY SIMPLE JOURNEY OF FAITH
PROCLAIMING GOD'S CONSTANT LOVE
I MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
I GENUFLECT
I REFLECT
I PRAY
I SING
REPEATEDLY
SO MANY TIMES OVER
WITH VOICES OF MEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN
OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS
ONE STEP AT A TIME
FROM CONDEMNATION TO RESURRECTION
ONE STEP AT A TIME
WITH TEARS ON EYES
I HOLD ON TO THE CROSS
I FIX MY EYES ON HIM
MY JESUS
I KNOW THAT THE CROSS WILL TRIUMPH
OVER ALL THE MESTINON SIDE EFFECTS
OVER ALL THE PREDNISONE STEROID THREATS
OVER ALL THE RADIATION UNCERTAINTY
I CLAIM THE CROSS WILL TRIUMPH
EVEN AS THE NEUROLOGIST SURGEON RADIATION ONCOLOGIST AND PATHOLOGIST SHARE THEIR PROPOSALS FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND PROCEDURES
I READ REPEATEDLY THE PATHOLOGIST REPORT , BIT BY BIT
ON SIZE AND WEIGHT OF THE INVASIVE TUMOR
I READ AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND
FIRMLY SAYING NO TO ANY QUESTION OF WHY?
I READ AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND
WHAT APPEARS TO BENIGN BUT THREATENS TO BE LESS BENIGN
I READ AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE TUMOR HAD ATTACHED ITSELF TO THE PLEURA AND PERICARDIUM AND AVERY VITAL CARDIAC VEIN
AND THEN WITH TIRED SPIRIT, I SURRENDER
I DO NOT NEED TO UNDERSTAND MORE TODAY
I SURRENDER
I HOLD ON TO THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS
AND SO I REST ..MY TIRED AND WEARY BODY...
I CANNOT TAKE ANOTHER STEP RIGHT NOW
TOMORROW WILL BE ANOTHER DAY
AND YES TOMORROW ONCE MORE
IT WILL BE
ONE STEP AT A TIME
I CLAIM THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS.
ALAS THIS HAS BEEN MY SIMPLE JOURNEY OF FAITH
PROCLAIMING GOD'S CONSTANT LOVE
The TORNADO
"Though winds are wild and the gale unleashed
My trusting heart still sings
I know that they mean no harm to me
HE rides upon their wings "
Don sat in the living room of the summer home of Tito Tony and Tita Lolly in Palm Coast Florida
(brother and sister in law of Mamo Ping Sorra)
Don was glued to the television
I was busy helping the kitchen
Don called me and whispered .. the tornado is coming close to Palm Coast
Look at the red marks on the map of Florida.
I looked without feelings
I looked blankly
What is a tornado?
Then Don whispered, the only safe place in the house is the toilet and the concrete walk in closet according to Tito TOny.
I looked out of the glass door to the canal, where the boat of Tito Tony was docked . I saw the water had somehow risen. I could sense the blowing wind , an angry howling wind outside.
I quietly asked for a match to lit a candle on the altar of the Sorra residence.
In like manner I sought the quiet of solitude as I spoke in prayer to GOD
So much has happened in our lives (DON AND MINE) from October to February.
A tornado simply meant another prayer session of full surrender
I have been reassured over and over again that in times of needs difficulty and trials
it is faith in God Who is love that will tide us over and see us through.
I have been reassured over and over again that in times of uncertainty and threats and when the situation appears to be impossible ...it is hope in God Who assures us that because of His unconditional love, solutions will come to quiet my restless soul ..in HIS TIME IN HIS WAY .
TORNADO
tear not
blow not
take not
the fabric of my faith humbly and lovingly wrapped around my Jesus
I hang my anxiety on his cross
I leave them all with Jesus
I put my soul on the boat outside
I know that Jesus will walk on the waters
I trust that Jesus will rest on my boat
I believe that Jesus and will awaken to still the waters , to quiet the wind
to hush the tornado..
I BELIEVE
I HOPE..
.
I
My trusting heart still sings
I know that they mean no harm to me
HE rides upon their wings "
Don sat in the living room of the summer home of Tito Tony and Tita Lolly in Palm Coast Florida
(brother and sister in law of Mamo Ping Sorra)
Don was glued to the television
I was busy helping the kitchen
Don called me and whispered .. the tornado is coming close to Palm Coast
Look at the red marks on the map of Florida.
I looked without feelings
I looked blankly
What is a tornado?
Then Don whispered, the only safe place in the house is the toilet and the concrete walk in closet according to Tito TOny.
I looked out of the glass door to the canal, where the boat of Tito Tony was docked . I saw the water had somehow risen. I could sense the blowing wind , an angry howling wind outside.
I quietly asked for a match to lit a candle on the altar of the Sorra residence.
In like manner I sought the quiet of solitude as I spoke in prayer to GOD
So much has happened in our lives (DON AND MINE) from October to February.
A tornado simply meant another prayer session of full surrender
I have been reassured over and over again that in times of needs difficulty and trials
it is faith in God Who is love that will tide us over and see us through.
I have been reassured over and over again that in times of uncertainty and threats and when the situation appears to be impossible ...it is hope in God Who assures us that because of His unconditional love, solutions will come to quiet my restless soul ..in HIS TIME IN HIS WAY .
TORNADO
tear not
blow not
take not
the fabric of my faith humbly and lovingly wrapped around my Jesus
I hang my anxiety on his cross
I leave them all with Jesus
I put my soul on the boat outside
I know that Jesus will walk on the waters
I trust that Jesus will rest on my boat
I believe that Jesus and will awaken to still the waters , to quiet the wind
to hush the tornado..
I BELIEVE
I HOPE..
.
I
Monday, March 1, 2010
i wore a crown
It was the night before the surgery and everyone was busy
Tito Tony Sorra and his wife Tita Laly (a doctor ) were in room A of the 2 bedroom suite 232
Tito Tony Jacob and Tita Vilma ( a nurse) were in room B of the 2 bedroom suite 232
Weng was in room 232 sofa bed princess
Papa and I were in suite 237
Angel was in room 247 sofa bed princess
The Sorra couple came from Palm Coast Florida. It took them about 5 hours by car.
The Jacob couple flew in from San Francisco . It took them about 7 hours because of a layover in Utah.
Both couples had food and fruits galore.
Lutong bahay asado came in from Alice of San Francisco and bakery products ensaymada empanada bicol express laing etc etc
From Palm Coast we had pomelo and cheese cheese the best cheese in the world and honey dew clementines popcorn etc.etc.
The girls ( Wend and Jeng) asked to leave to do more grocery. Our suites havekitchenettes
We feasted on what we had on the table .
I was wondering why it took forever for them to return. Papa and I were in another room so we did not know the comings and goings. I was trying to listen to the many quiverings of my heart. I was preparing the suitcase for the journey to the hospital.
At dinner time, they called us over. Lo and behold! There were balloons and buntings and happy birthday wishes all over the room and tulips tulips tulips from Tita Tess of Albany and more roses red long stem roses and more roses and card cards and cards and gifts and gifts andgifts
wowowowowowoowoweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
what a real surprise
I even had a cake ..an ice cream cake YUM YUM YUMMY
Everyone claimed to have cooked the food ...so all the praises went to them but the high light of the cooking experience was that we had no rice cooker and yet we had rice. The men promised to cook . They claimed to be familiar with finger measurement.
Well guess who cooked the rice?
Of course non of the presentados.
Of course it was Angel!!!
When the surprise had settled down it was time to feast ...and feast we did.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SURPRISE . AND REMEMBERING IT WAS GOING TO BE MY BIRTHDAY ON THE 19TH ...I HAD ACTUALLY FORGOTTEN MANY TIMES OVER.
THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
DIOS MABALOS PO . OH YES ,,,THEY HAD A CROWN FOR ME, THE CELEBRANT. SO I WORE THE CROWN ON MY 16TH BIRTHDAY ...OOPS MY 61ST BIRTHDAY
SADLY DON COULD NOT SING..ALL MY PAST BIRTHDAYS WERE COMPLETED ONLY AFTER DON SINGS. WELL NOT THIS YEAR ...BUT THE SALVE REGINA WAS CLEARLY IN OUR HEARTS AND I RENDERED IT SOLO AY DI PALA ..SUMABAY MAN SI TITA VILMA
Tito Tony Sorra and his wife Tita Laly (a doctor ) were in room A of the 2 bedroom suite 232
Tito Tony Jacob and Tita Vilma ( a nurse) were in room B of the 2 bedroom suite 232
Weng was in room 232 sofa bed princess
Papa and I were in suite 237
Angel was in room 247 sofa bed princess
The Sorra couple came from Palm Coast Florida. It took them about 5 hours by car.
The Jacob couple flew in from San Francisco . It took them about 7 hours because of a layover in Utah.
Both couples had food and fruits galore.
Lutong bahay asado came in from Alice of San Francisco and bakery products ensaymada empanada bicol express laing etc etc
From Palm Coast we had pomelo and cheese cheese the best cheese in the world and honey dew clementines popcorn etc.etc.
The girls ( Wend and Jeng) asked to leave to do more grocery. Our suites havekitchenettes
We feasted on what we had on the table .
I was wondering why it took forever for them to return. Papa and I were in another room so we did not know the comings and goings. I was trying to listen to the many quiverings of my heart. I was preparing the suitcase for the journey to the hospital.
At dinner time, they called us over. Lo and behold! There were balloons and buntings and happy birthday wishes all over the room and tulips tulips tulips from Tita Tess of Albany and more roses red long stem roses and more roses and card cards and cards and gifts and gifts andgifts
wowowowowowoowoweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
what a real surprise
I even had a cake ..an ice cream cake YUM YUM YUMMY
Everyone claimed to have cooked the food ...so all the praises went to them but the high light of the cooking experience was that we had no rice cooker and yet we had rice. The men promised to cook . They claimed to be familiar with finger measurement.
Well guess who cooked the rice?
Of course non of the presentados.
Of course it was Angel!!!
When the surprise had settled down it was time to feast ...and feast we did.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SURPRISE . AND REMEMBERING IT WAS GOING TO BE MY BIRTHDAY ON THE 19TH ...I HAD ACTUALLY FORGOTTEN MANY TIMES OVER.
THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
DIOS MABALOS PO . OH YES ,,,THEY HAD A CROWN FOR ME, THE CELEBRANT. SO I WORE THE CROWN ON MY 16TH BIRTHDAY ...OOPS MY 61ST BIRTHDAY
SADLY DON COULD NOT SING..ALL MY PAST BIRTHDAYS WERE COMPLETED ONLY AFTER DON SINGS. WELL NOT THIS YEAR ...BUT THE SALVE REGINA WAS CLEARLY IN OUR HEARTS AND I RENDERED IT SOLO AY DI PALA ..SUMABAY MAN SI TITA VILMA
OUR LADY MEDIATRIX OF ALL GRACE
"Active faith will praise in darkest nights"
I knew that my tears were falling
I felt they just kept falling
I was sure I did not want to cry
Vilma put her hand on my shoulder
She started to sing a hymn
Slowly and quietly we all walked in
My tears had dried
There was Don , waiting ready to be wheeled in.
He only saw eyes that spoke of faith and hope and love.
I held his hand to kiss him
and then
I heard a prayer
I saw Vilma
How she panicked
The prayer of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace
was being recited from her cell phone
from the yellow pone of Cory that we brought from Manila
"Hush" I said "let it be".
I felt this was an answer to our request
For Don to pray before he was wheeled in
Vilma was looking all over
Tumbling through the many contents in her bag .
There we all were praying, the Memorare with Don
Unashamed, we were praying before people who Doctor Salanga says are not keen to talk about religion or politics..
Then..
Each took turns to hold Don and assure him all will be well
I left Don for a while to speak with Raphael the Doctor Anaesthesiologist
I requested him to please remember that Don is not a good pain receptor. He assured me the anaesthesia will knock him out better than Manny Pacquiao.
I told him we have been praying for the entire team from the surgeon to the anaesthesiologist and the entire medical/nursing staff.
He assured me I can see Don by about 1 pm as I had promised Don I will be there when he wakes up from his anaesthesia.
We left the room carrying with us the peace on Don's face as we blessed him with holy water just before Marie , the nurse, they took him for a journey of faith in the hands of Doctor Edward Savage, the cardio thoracic surgeon.
more to follow
FOR US THE YELLOW PHONE ..THE MEMORARE.. AT THE PRE OPERATING ROOM ...
WAS A CONTINUING THREAD IN THE SERIES OF GODS LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS..
IN OUR LIVES AS FAMILIA VILLANUEVA
I knew that my tears were falling
I felt they just kept falling
I was sure I did not want to cry
Vilma put her hand on my shoulder
She started to sing a hymn
Slowly and quietly we all walked in
My tears had dried
There was Don , waiting ready to be wheeled in.
He only saw eyes that spoke of faith and hope and love.
I held his hand to kiss him
and then
I heard a prayer
I saw Vilma
How she panicked
The prayer of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Grace
was being recited from her cell phone
from the yellow pone of Cory that we brought from Manila
"Hush" I said "let it be".
I felt this was an answer to our request
For Don to pray before he was wheeled in
Vilma was looking all over
Tumbling through the many contents in her bag .
There we all were praying, the Memorare with Don
Unashamed, we were praying before people who Doctor Salanga says are not keen to talk about religion or politics..
Then..
Each took turns to hold Don and assure him all will be well
I left Don for a while to speak with Raphael the Doctor Anaesthesiologist
I requested him to please remember that Don is not a good pain receptor. He assured me the anaesthesia will knock him out better than Manny Pacquiao.
I told him we have been praying for the entire team from the surgeon to the anaesthesiologist and the entire medical/nursing staff.
He assured me I can see Don by about 1 pm as I had promised Don I will be there when he wakes up from his anaesthesia.
We left the room carrying with us the peace on Don's face as we blessed him with holy water just before Marie , the nurse, they took him for a journey of faith in the hands of Doctor Edward Savage, the cardio thoracic surgeon.
more to follow
FOR US THE YELLOW PHONE ..THE MEMORARE.. AT THE PRE OPERATING ROOM ...
WAS A CONTINUING THREAD IN THE SERIES OF GODS LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS..
IN OUR LIVES AS FAMILIA VILLANUEVA
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