HOPE is a Waking Dream ... with LOVE everything is POSSIBLE!
(May I share with you this beautiful and inspiring love story? I know that there aremany hopelessly romantic ones in the batch. Count me in!)
An incredible love story has come out of China recently and managed to touch the world.. It is a story of a man and an older woman who ran off to live and love each other in peace for over half a century.
The 70-year-old Chinese man who hand-carved over 6,000 stairs up a mountain for his 80-year-old wife has passed away in the cave which has been the couple's home for the last 50 years. Over 50 years ago, Liu Guojiang a 19 year-old boy, fell in love with a 29 year-old widowed mother named Xu Chaoqin...
In a twist worthy of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, friends and relatives criticized the relationship because of the age difference and the fact that Xu already had children.
At that time, it was unacceptable and immoral for a young man to love an older woman.. To avoid the market gossip and the scorn of their communities, the couple decided to elope and lived in a cave in Jiangjin County in Southern ChongQing Municipality .
In the beginning, life was harsh as they had nothing, no electricity or even food. They had to eat grass and roots they found in the mountain, and Liu made a kerosene lamp that they used to light up their lives.
Xu felt that she had tied Liu down and repeatedly asked him, 'Are you regretful? Liu always replied, 'As long as we are industrious, life will improve..'
In the second year of living in the mountain, Liu began and continued for over 50 years, to hand-carve the steps so that his wife could get down the mountain easily.
Half a century later in 2001, a group of adventurers were exploring the forest and were surprised to find the elderly couple and the over 6,000 hand-carved steps. Liu MingSheng, one of their seven children said, 'My parents loved each other so much, they have lived in seclusion for over 50 years and never been apart a single day. He hand carved more than 6,000 steps over the years for my mother's convenience, although she doesn't go down the mountain that much
The couple had lived in peace for over 50 years until last week. Liu, now 72 years, returned from his daily farm work and collapsed. Xu sat and prayed with her husband as he passed away in her arms. So in love with Xu, was Liu, that no one was able to release the grip he had on his wife's hand even after he had passed away.
'You promised me you'll take care of me, you'll always be with me until the day I died, now you left before me, how am I going to live without you?'
Xu spent days softly repeating this sentence and touching her husband's black coffin with tears rolling down her cheeks.
In 2006, their story became one of the top 10 love stories from China , collected by the Chinese Women Weekly. The local government has decided to preserve the love ladder
and the place they lived as a museum, so this love story can live forever.
Thanks for sharing this love story with us,Jo. It is indeed very beautiful.You are right,nothing is impossible with love.Lucky are the ones who were given this beautiful experience in their lifetime,even though it means breaking all the rules,for nobody can explain love's mystery.
A bitter-sweet love story fraught with much physical hardships and the unthinkable lack of creature comforts we take for granted. It would be an extremely rare breed of woman or man who would take that road to romance.
I wonder what the frigid- hearted psychoanalysts would make of it.
And one other question: How did the children (hers and theirs) fare?
But there is another equally if not more heartwarming love story close to home, waiting to be told: Of a woman who selflessly tends her old ailing husband as he waits for the inevitable, with her unwavering faithfulness and devotion,out of pure love and respect and unquantifiable affection. How about it JoGJMac?
Thanks, Nel, for the inspiration you're giving to us, bloggers. It really feels good to know that there are batchmates like you who take interest on our posts.
From the looks of it, I'm not the only 'hopelessly romantic' soul in the batch. I'm counting you in. Where are the others? Dalawa lang ba kami ni Nel?
Thanks so much, too, CCR, for the very kind words about my mother.
Would you believe that I've been working on a post about her, for quite some time now? But unlike my previous writing attempts, which I was able to do in one sitting, I'm taking my time, for I want to be able to do justice to her being an exemplary wife, exemplary mother.
You're welcome Jo. I'm glad that somehow, I serve as an inspiration to our bloggers.You know ,our blog serves as an inspiration to me also,especially on days that I'm so stressed out from work.I've read that our profession is the 2nd most stressful job next to air traffic controllers.That's why having this blog is God sent for me.I can't remember a day that I didn't open our blog. By the way, about being romantic,I'd like to remind you that I was born under the sign of Venus,which is the goddess of love,so don't be surprised.
He is one of the most likeable fellows in the batch - Frank (Herilla). The other Frank was one of the greatest musical performers of the century - Frank Sinatra. No problem with those two Franks.
But the third one - who came to the country a few days ago, is one that everyone abhorred. He visited the whole country bringing with him howling winds, gusty rains, floods, and very rough seas. In the aftermath, he left behind, fallen houses and trees, sea disasters, destroyed crops and a number of deaths. He has not left, and in fact, is still going around the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao (as of this writing). Woe to all the places and people in his 'itinerary'!
In times like this, it does not pay to be hospitable - let's drive him out through our combined prayers. ' Frank' please leave now!!!
I haven't watched the filipino news lately bec. I've been working everyday.When I come home I just go to bed 'cause I'm so tired so I haven't watched even the late news.I really feel sorry for our kababayans,hirap na hirap na nga dahil sa taas ng mga bilihin tapos dinadaanan pa ng malalakas na bagyo.All we can do is pray na sana umalis na nga sa Phil. si Frank and leave our poor country alone.We have to pray some more for our country and our people. Thanks for posting this news Jo.
Jo, thank you so much for letting us know what's happening there. I don't have Pilipino channel so thanks a lot for posting this news. Let us all pray for all our kababayan that our Lord God protect them and grant them graces especially at this time of disaster.
My family is not lumad (native-born) to this town of Isabel, Leyte. We were uprooted from Orion, Bataan some 25 years ago, when my husband was “pirated” by a giant fertilizer plant situated in the Leyte Industrial Development Estate here.
So many exciting changes are taking place in the town now, mainly due to the leadership and discipline of the newly-elected mayor, Hon. Gen. Saturnino Medina, Jr.(Ret.) He has been in the service for barely 7 months, but his accomplishments to date, could put to shame a not-so committed public official of 7 years.
During the turn-over ceremonies with the former mayor, it was so touching that leaders of the different religious denominations were present to offer their prayers. The leaders of the Roman Catholic church, the Iglesia ni Kristo, the Protestant church, the Seventh Day Adventist, the Baptists, the Brother Muslims- each said beautiful prayers of reconciliation, cooperation and hopes for a better Isabel. God must have heard their prayers, for truly, the town is now a place that every Isabelanon could be proud of.
The first notable change is the cleanliness everywhere you go, especially in the public places, like the municipal hall, the plaza, the Freedom Center, the public market, the shoreline, the bus terminal, the public restrooms, and on the streets all over the town. Beautification is also taking place in every corner. Standing proudly at the entrance to the poblacion, is a well-landscaped area, where the name of the town in gold-plated metal is announced in the off-white wall behind a water fountain. Just recently opened to the public is the Isabel Baywalk, where people of all ages and walk-of-life, converge for relaxation and a view of the beautiful sunset in the bay. There is so much improvement in the town hall, which is now very clean, orderly, well-ventilated and very functional. With fewer employees, efficiency and discipline is very evident in the different departments. Mayor Medina had a Taxpayers’ Lounge constructed in a space between the rows of offices frequently visited by taxpayers. It is fully air-conditioned, with very comfortable seats and a cable tv. The plaza has been re-landscaped into a very serene Japanese garden. Two gazebos were constructed on either side, where positive values are inscribed. Strategically located are seats where people can while the time away, while listening to well-chosen music and watching the gustling water from the giant fountain. The Freedom Center (a covered multi-purpose structure for social events and basketball games, constructed by the former mayor, Hon. Jun Fuentes) is now surrounded by bleachers to accommodate more people during such events. During the last Manny Pacquiao-Antonio Barrera fight, people were admitted free to watch it via live telecast on giant screens. It was so thoughtful of him to have done that.
Driving through the town’s streets is a breeze now, because vehicles never park on either side anymore. With the absence of parked vehicles, it seems like the thoroughfares were widened overnight.
One feels safer going to the poblacion, at any time of the day, with the very noticeable police visibility anywhere you go.
The once dilapidated, unsightly barbecue stalls are all gone. Recently inaugurated were the concrete ones that house the “barbekyuhan” in a section of the market complex along the bay. The “litsong manok” porta-stores, painted uniformly in golden yellow, are now located near the barbecue stalls. Even the popcorn and junk food “tiendas” near the plaza, now sport a uniform structure in the same golden yellow color.
Under construction at present is a new transportation terminal. Once it’s finished, the old terminal will be renovated into a Children’s Fun Center. Street lighting from end-to-end of the town’s boundaries, as well as in the town proper, is on-going. This is in connection with his fiery fight against drugs, crime, gambling and all forms of vices. He believes that the best deterrent to all these is a well-lit community. Next in his agenda is the construction of a hospital. Mr. Jose C. Alvarez of PHILPHOS, who is the mayor’s good friend, has recently donated a hectare of land for this purpose. To bring the government closer to the people, Mayor Medina and heads of the different departments bring the basic services to far-flung barangays where they conduct monthly medical missions and outreach programs, complete with doctors, dentists, midwives and entertainers.
Negotiations are now on-going with a commercial bank, for the establishment of a branch in this industrial town. This is a long-overdue dream of the thousands of employees of the companies, as well as of the businessmen here. At present, people either bank with the rural bank here or go to the city of Ormoc for banking needs.
Foremost in all his accomplishments is the pride and discipline that he has instilled in the hearts of the Isabelanons. He has made the town into a place that we can all be proud of. Because of that pride, everyone wants to maintain its beauty and cleanliness. Seeing garbage, even cigarette butts, is a thing of the past. People have learned to use the garbage binswhich are strategically located all over the town. Even the market vendors, keep on cleaning their stalls, so the market, even the wet market, is so clean. It’s a common knowledge that the good mayor is a stickler for cleanliness and orderliness, so everyone has become conscious of keeping the town clean. AFTER ALL, IT’S A LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE.
In recognition of his feat, the LIDE LADIES CLUB, an Isabel NGO, has awarded the mayor for his exemplary performance on his first 100 days in office.
I wrote this article to show my appreciation for the mayor’s dedication in making this first-class town, truly first class, and to encourage all public officials to exert as much effort in their respective communities. How I wish that a concerted action be done by every elected official and by every citizen, to make the Philippines as progressive as it should be. I believe in the innate goodness and ability of every Filipino. If this feat can be done in the town of Isabel, IT CAN BE DONE ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY!
Our hats off to HON. MAYOR SATURNINO MEDINA, JR! May your tribe increase!
Jo, Thanks for this posting! It is really very encouraging and inspiring to read and hear about examples of leadership and discipline in our country which seemes so bereft of well-meaning and cogent leaders like retired Gen. Medina. My snappy salute to a comrade who is worthy of emulation! At a time when people are becoming desperate in looking for an ideal, comes a man that stands out of the rest of grandstanding politicians and government officials. I believe that a hero is born out of conflict and chaos, and who takes courage to effect change. You pricked a certain nostalgic feeling in me having remembered Isabel during my flying days when my colleagues and I would hover around town, stroll the beaches, and take snack of litson manok amidst the anarchic array of tricycles and vendors and istambays. Your description of a new Isabel keeps me away from my old picture of a dilapidated, rustic, backward, and disorderly town. It is indeed a relief to see it transformed by an officer and gentleman. A model leader and a model town should serve as inspiration to all of us Pinoys! Regars!
I had to let go my very efficient helper, “Tina”, so that she can attend to her six children - 4 in grade school, 1 toddler and a baby.(actually, 7 kids, for she has a love child, who is not living with her now). Though I need her services very badly, I think her children need her more. Told her to seek employment near her place, so she can be with the kids everyday, after work.
The day after Tina left, my friend and I started the hunt for a suitable replacement. After several stops, asking for leads on possible applicants, we came across a very young girl with a 2-year old lovechild. According to her, poverty drove her to stop schooling and to work as a helper in Manila at the age of 15. She met a young man from another province when she was 17 and gave birth to her love child before she turned 19. That man turned his back on her when he found out that she was pregnant. A broken-hearted girl, already an unwed mother, and she’s not even 21 yet! If those statistics amazes you, wait for the next ones about this young girl’s mother!
Her mother, let’s call her,”Paula” is very charming and has a very sunny disposition. Paula narrated to us her life/love story. She had her first period at the age of 12, and eloped at the age of 13, with a truck helper 4 years her senior. She gave birth at the age of 15, and now in her late thirties, she already has seven grown-up children and three apos(grandchildren). She said that she never regretted getting married at the tender age of 13. She and her husband lived independently from day one of their marriage!
I am now trying to recall what I was all-gaga about when I was at that age. Paul Anka? Crushes/FL? The Twist? Limbo Rock? Hula-Hoop? Artistas, like Susan Roces and Amalia Fuentes, dresses, shoes(not necessarily in that order),etc, Definitely, marriage was not even in my vocabulary then!
How about you? What were your thoughts and interests when you were 13? It would be very interesting, indeed, to know.
A prayer for children taken from SIMPLE PRAYERS for Busy People. 2004 Springs Foundation,Inc.
PRAYER FOR MY CHILDREN
Lord Jesus, bless and protect my dear children.
Keep them safe from all harm and danger, sickness and disease.
Preserve and strengthen them from the corrupting influences of the world, and deliver them from the secret snares of the enemy.
Give them godly friends and holy company, who will encourage and inspire them to a life of purity and selflessness.
May they have a listening ear to parental instruction, and develop in them virtues such as diligence, kindness, honesty, compassion, patience, obedience and self-control.
Lord God, I commend my children to Your care.
Pour Your grace upon their hearts and multiply in them the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Let them grow in wisdom and in favor with You, and raise them up to be God-fearing and holy, faithfully serving You throughout their lives. Amen.
I must confess that the primary reason for my absence in our blog is the deep feeling of frustration/depression that haunted me for so many weeks. I felt so inadequate and very helpless that nothing came out of our effort to give some color to NORBERTO'S life. I never mentioned this to President-for-life Mike during our last phone conversation, nor did I write about it in my last blog and in my recent email to Pilar and Azon.
I am writing this on impulse. Got the feeling that I have to get it out of my chest somehow. WISH KO LANG didn't even acknowledge my lengthy letter about NORBERTO. I understand that only a few will merit their help. That they have to choose the most needy from all the letter-senders. It was a long wait. I waited patiently and watched every episode on tv, hoping against hope that NORBERTO'S plight would be next. But it never came.
I am at a loss on what to do next for him. What do you think?
I haven't been to the US, so I cannot relate to the things that were listed in the quiz. After reading the comments of Corazon and Ernie, the things that remind me of Orion in the sixties, came to my mind. Let me list them down here in random:
barn dance, torch parade, campanaryo's biscotcho de cana, banana and camote cue, karitela ni mang osyo, sorbetes ni mang modi, basnig, candies at mang bosyo's store, bowling at tindahan ni mang tonyong bulag, halo-halo, peanut butter and cheez whiz sandwiches at riverside canteen ni tia puring mendoza, pansit guisado ni mang turing, pansit luglug ni tia justina, mga kakanin ni impong elang, somo's, rodriguez at mr. style tailoring shops, dr. ruperto mariano, ilada ni tia coro at kina rene diolola, botica ni mang bulyong, telahan ni tia anita aquino, rev. fr. jose z. marquez, pamumuno sa dasal ni impong insay, legion of mary under tia alicia rodriguez, noemi theater, jueteng ni mang kiko, MFL, the song - i love you because, paul anka, pandesal ni bascarra, alicia jeepneys, picnics at pandam river, mailman - tonying na kirat, banda ng musiko ni mang rustico, mang fidel ng la mallorca pambusco, beautiful dresses created for me by tia senia, pagtulong sa paggawa ng pakiting-kiting kung fiesta, at kubo-kubo kung mahal na araw, mayor manuel santos, giant acacia and mango trees in the churchyard, first tricycle ever in orion - driven by mang iking. at marami pang iba.
i better end this now, dahil baka maubos ko ang blog space sa dami ng naaalaala ko.
I have been to Bohol four times in the last three years. It seems like I can't have enough of this Island Paradise, because there is the yearning to go back again and again.
The moment one steps down on the Port of Tagbilaran, the feeling of being cuddled by everyone, from the tinderas, to the employees of the Department of Tourism, gives one that feeling of peace and security.
Bohol has so much to offer. Old churches (like the Baclayon Church), a very relaxing Loboc River Cruise, Hinagdanan Cave, a Shell Museum, a giant phyton in captivity, handicrafts and delicacies, a man-made forest, whale/dolphin watching, a scuba diving haven, well-kept and reasonably priced hotels/apartelles, courteous and honest drivers, friendly and industrious natives, long stretches of clean, white beaches, a very modern Sagbayan Peak, and of course, the world-famous heaven's gift to the Boholanos, the CHOCOLATE HILLS.
There are regular TAG-MNL-TAG flights. Two very modern fastcrafts, SUPERCAT and WEESAM, ply the BOHOL-CEBU-BOHOL routes.
My friend, Angging, and I can assist you in planning your Bohol Escapade, email: macjo5474@yahoo.com
I am concentrating on Orion delicacies this time. If there is something that everyone who leaves a place misses, it is the food to which taste one has been accustomed to.
* pabitak - boiled corn kernels, served with freshly grated coconut, sugar and salt, altogether wrapped in a balisunsong of banana leaves
* palidusdos - a concoction of bilo-bilo, gabi, camote, langka, saging na saba, coconut milk and sugar
* dinuguan - pork or beef innards and blood cooked with onions, vinegar and sili
* puto - ground wagwag rice, coconut milk, baking powder, anis, sugar - cooked in a katsa-lined lansungan (BABY)
* ginilo - duman, young greenish malagkit, pound in a lusong, and mixed with coconut milk, sugar and gulaman
*ukoy -shredded papaya mixed with onions, salt,pepper,in atsuete-colored galapong, topped with shrimps, and deep fried to a crunchy goodness. dipped in suka, mixed with paminta and asin. (ATE GLORY)
* puto-bumbong - ground, drained pirurutong, steamed in small bamboo tubes, taktak directly to pre-cut banana leaves, smothered with star margarine, shredded coconut and sugar
* boboto - ground, roasted rice mixed with "secret ingredients", topped with thick gata and shrimps, carefully wrapped in layers of banana leaves, before it is boiled. (ATE SIANA)
* ginaok - coconut milk, brown sugar, cooked till thick, then placed in pre-cut buho, covered with a piece of paper (IMPONG BERTA)
* patko * balikutsa * bibingka * butchi (kakanin type and prito type) * bibingkang duman (Charito) * maja blanca * tsokolateng kinimis (Cherry-choc) * sumang malagkit * suman sa lihiya * sumang mais * sumang kamoteng kahoy * bibingkang mais * kalot * puto kawali * tuyong - udyong * tinapang bangus at alugasin * malahinalas na isda * sinabagoongan * bagoong na itlog ng alugasin * ginataan * goto
I'm sure marami pa akong di naisama rito, so will somebody please continue doing this for the blog. We will choose our reunion menu from the list.
This sandwich is very easy to prepare. It's not expensive, and is a perfect match with pasta, noodles or with juice or softdrinks (soda). Goes well with coffee, hot chocolate and with tea, too.
Ingredients: 1 loaf sliced bread (moist, white, freshly baked) mayonnaise eden cheese, or quick melt cheese, cut into strips (the size of french fries) 2 eggs, well beaten japanese bread crumbs
Procedure: 1. Using a rolling pin or a bottle, flatten each slice. 2. Spread mayonnaise on one face of the flattened bread. 3. Place 1 or 2 cheese strips on the edge of the bread. 4. Starting from the edge with the cheese, roll the bread as tightly as possible. 5. Dip each rolled bread into the beaten egg, then roll on bread crumbs. 6. Heat in an oven toaster or turbo broiler, just before serving.
Optional: Fried bacon maybe used instead of cheese.
The sandwich can be fried, too. Place on paper towels after frying to remove excess oil.
Note: an old post at- http://www.jriclass1963.blogspot.com
Corazon's write-up on Norberto saw publication on June 12. That started the ball rolling. This author emailed Terry and Luz. Ernesto DR sent his to Rollie, who in turn went to Norberto's place to assess his priorities. I blogged on Norberto's plight in my personal blog, from where my son, Marc, picked it up and then shared it with Gail. As planned earlier, I wrote to Ms. Vicky Morales of Wish KoLang on GMA-7, and sent it twice. On the third time, I sent her a list of the sites carrying Norberto's story. We have yet to hear from WKL.
Pilar, Nelia and Edita started praying for our mission: Norberto. We also forwarded emails to our friends and relatives. A friend from way back when, Tess del Rosario, responded and offered to contact her high school chum and classmate who was with the Human Resources Department of GMA-7 before. She said that maybe he could pull some strings so our letter could be picked out from the thousands that they receive daily. Told her that we will wait for another week or two before we ask for her friend's favor.
Emails from some of our batchmates started pouring in. There were conference/single chats with Corazon, Luz, Pilar, Armando, Ernie, Tio Eddie. Ernesto K called me up by long distance to inquire how he can possibly be of help. Lest I forget, our President-for-Life, Mike, called up too, performing his duties as president of Batch '63, via long distance calls from the U.S. Wow! Can you beat that?
If and when nothing comes out yet from what we have done so far, there are other avenues to try. Let's not lose hope. We know that we can do it! BATCH'63 CAN MAKE THINGS HAPPEN! Let's work on this as one big, happy family. We will never go wrong. Please send us feedbacks, opinions, etc. on how we should move about. Suggestions on what source of income would suit Norberto best. Doctor's opinion on whether it is still possible to fit a prosthesis on his blind eye. Offers of help/donations for his cause. Please call Luz or Rollie and let them know. They can email for you.
Note: an old post from- http://www.jriclass1963.blogspot.com
While we were having fun that rainy night at Violet Cordero's place, Azon hardly ate dinner, for she was so busy interviewing Norberto Roxas, digging into his story. She was so overcome with compassion for him when she saw him that afternoon in their place. Blind, his foot injured, skinny, dark and all-wrinkled(probably because of too much sun exposure and poor nutrition). He was also a bit shy, and had to be fetched and cajoled to ensure his attendance that night.
Azon and I chatted ,made plans, sent emails to Ernie, Mike, Tio Eddie, Terri,Luz, Rolando, Larpi, etc.-all for Norberto's case. We did not want to put his life in danger again, so we opted to withhold the publication of Azon's article on his sad life. But the time came when we couldn't hold anymore. At this point, we agreed that time is of the essence. He's already old, like the rest of us. We have to help give some meaning and a bit of happiness to his life. I salute Ernie for saying this in his last email to me,"At this stage of our life when many of us have received so much blessings, it may be repayment period." What a lovely thought!
An artificial eye would do him good, so he can regain his self confidence. A source of income, not the dole-out type, would restore his human dignity, and would ease a bit his difficult life along with his old mother.
All these show of love and concern from us, his batchmates, would make him feel a fraction of the love that he could have gotten if only he had the chance to have a wife and children of his own.
I've written an appeal to Ms. Vicky Morales of Wish Ko Lang on Channel 7 on behalf of JRI Batch 1963. I guess it would be a great help if majority of us send letters to her asking for help for Norberto. She will take notice if she receives numerous letters, pleading for the same person.
To quote Pilar, "God made us instruments to find a way to help Norberto." How lucky we are for having been chosen as His instruments! My parents' words reverberate in my mind at this point. "Mas mapalad ang nagbibigay, kaysa sa binibigyan."
We are one in this, aren't we? ALL FOR ONE, ONE FOR ALL!
Taos-pusong pasasalamat ang nais kong ipaabot sa 'yo-JRI ORION BATCH'63 PRESIDENT-FOR-LIFE, MIGUEL "MIKE" CRUZ!
Noong nasa high school pa tayo, ang tingin ko sa 'yo ay KUYA namin. Noon namang nagtatrabaho na tayo, parang TIYO ka namin. Pero ngayong nagkita- kita uli tayo after 44 years, parang type kong isigaw na "LOLO, IKAW ANG BIGATIN!"
Kidding aside, inuulit ko ang pasasalamat sa walang kapaguran mong pamumuno na naging dahilan nang matagumpay at napakasayang JRI ORION BATCH 1963 GRAND REUNION. It was truly GRAND in all aspects.
My heart goes to those who missed the affair. Sabagay konti lang ang di nakarating. Batch '63 had an attendance of 63. How awesome!
Let's pray that we would still be around sa next reunion which is tentatively set in January, 2010.
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES, MIKE. GOD BLESS BATCH '63 ALSO.
Email exchange with Azon and Pilar- Re: Ernesto del Rosario's Life Story
Josie writes to Corazon and Pilar: You're absolutely right about the beautiful feeling one gets after reading Ernie's bio. It is a must read, not only for the young people, but for us,as well. For the young, life's teachings in it would give them the inspiration to overcome obstacles, and realize that success is within reach of those who dream and work hard, no matter how economically underpriveleged one is. For us, who are in the twilight of our years, we need strength not of the physical kind, but rather of the spirit, as we need to be healed of thebruises and wounds inflicted on us by the struggles of years past. INSPIRATION to enjoy and look with a childlike confidence and anticipationto each day of the remaining years of our lives. At this stage, what better way to do that than to share our thoughts andmemoirs with one another, that made us better persons, after coming out ofour darkest moments unscathed.we all went through that, you and me and the rest of the batch.
Thanks for sharing this love story with us,Jo. It is indeed very beautiful.You are right,nothing is impossible with love.Lucky are the ones who were given this beautiful experience in their lifetime,even though it means breaking all the rules,for nobody can explain love's mystery.
A bitter-sweet love story fraught with much physical hardships and the unthinkable lack of creature comforts we take for granted. It would be an extremely rare breed of woman or man who would take that road to romance.
I wonder what the frigid- hearted psychoanalysts would make of it.
And one other question: How did the children (hers and theirs) fare?
But there is another equally if not more heartwarming love story close to home, waiting to be told: Of a woman who selflessly tends her old ailing husband as he waits for the inevitable, with her unwavering faithfulness and devotion,out of pure love and respect and unquantifiable affection. How about it JoGJMac?
Thanks, Nel, for the inspiration you're giving to us, bloggers. It really feels good to know that there are batchmates like you who take interest on our posts.
From the looks of it, I'm not the only 'hopelessly romantic' soul in the batch. I'm counting you in. Where are the others? Dalawa lang ba kami ni Nel?
Thanks so much, too, CCR, for the very kind words about my mother.
Would you believe that I've been working on a post about her, for quite some time now? But unlike my previous writing attempts, which I was able to do in one sitting, I'm taking my time, for I want to be able to do justice to her being an exemplary wife, exemplary mother.
Pardon the adulation again.
You're welcome Jo. I'm glad that somehow, I serve as an inspiration to our bloggers.You know ,our blog serves as an inspiration to me also,especially on days that I'm so stressed out from work.I've read that our profession is the 2nd most stressful job next to air traffic controllers.That's why having this blog is God sent for me.I can't remember a day that I didn't open our blog.
By the way, about being romantic,I'd like to remind you that I was born under the sign of Venus,which is the goddess of love,so don't be surprised.