When I was Young, Wild and Free

When I was Young, Wild and Free

By Marian Palmira S. Lopez

“Take Kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of the youth.”

This snippet from my favorite poem, Desiderata by Max Ehrman is a recap that I had an awesome childhood and I had lived it to its fullest.

At times, I tend to smile looking back to those memories when I was just a little earthling.  I couldn’t be much happier and contented of what I had.  That was the time that that your only problem is thinking of what would be the best game of the day for you to play and if, your parents would permit you to go out of the house. 

When I was just a little girl, I was likely to play toy guns, riding my bicycle and turning my sister’s wardrobe and dresser a complete mess.  I loved playing wrestling and more likely to have fights with boys. That’s because I always get pissed when they won’t let me join their games  cause they say it’s no game for a girl.  For that reason, I always get home looking like a homeless kiddo. 

I don’t know why but I didn’t like Barbie dolls, or paper dolls and collecting stamps like my sisters did.  In my case, my world revolves in my bicycle, and how could I possibly get inside the house without my mom seeing me with a grubby face. I can still remember that I would even pray that it would rain so hard so that we could ride in banana trunks again and go swimming in the floods.  

When we transferred our home uptown, I think I had the best time of my life! It was in the Northern part of the province and I tell you, the place is such a beauty! Though we lived far from the villagers, children would come to our house and we’d play all day long! We would fly kites, in the wide plains; playing catch me if you can in the rice fields and hide and seek when it’s full moon.  Going fishing in the river and climbing fruit trees are bliss. 

The best times for me were when we would go up the hills and slide our way down using or coconut fronds or used sacks of corn that we would steal from the cellar.  You can imagine how we screamed going down and laughed our hearts out when we’re stumbling and rolling down the hill. And going home is like ending your happy ever after.

During grade school, I have become a little bit of a boyish type and all I wanted to wear is my rubber shoes and my puroy shorts and T-shirts. My dresses were only worn during family gatherings and if it’s your turn to recite your latest poem you’ve memorized. 

Time flies so fast and then came my passion for drawing sprout. I loved the idea of creating something out of your imagination.  I loved drawing nature; especially different kinds of flowers. That time I would just sit in the corner and draw.  I could definitely watch Art Attack whole day, and follow their art projects.  That maybe gave a relief to my parents, that at last, I am considering girlish stuff this time.  Also, that maybe ended my childhood days.

Now, I’m a full grown woman and I can absolutely tell you that I have lived my youth to the maximum.  I am what I am now because of it. I have no regrets. I have no frustrations and I have no what ifs. I surrendered it gracefully.

To Yza Marie

What we have, is a friendship that nobody can withstand.

For years, you have been my source of strength and happiness. 

You were there in my darkest moments. 

You were there when everything seems so vague and storms seem roaring like forever. 

You were there when everything seems to fall apart. 

You were there when I had to make decisions that do not conform to many.  

You were there, when I was miserable and helpless. 

You were there when I fucked up. 

You were there when nobody were.

When Tita Yoli left, I promised her one thing, that I will, will always, always be, be there for you. I promised her that no matter what happens, I will look after you and be just around even if you don’t need me anymore. Even life will come our way and bring us new friends, new other friends. I will be there, just hanging around.

Life, indeed happen, that it took us to places, and lead us our separate ways. Life got tough on us, took us to places, different places. 

Life gave us the reason and all the reasons to be apart. 

We grew apart, we graduated apart, we had new friends, apart and we have learned to accept life as it is, apart.

But even life could not untangle the bond that we have. 

We are here. For each other, no matter what, no matter how.  

Dhay, forgive me for all my flaws and shortcomings, forgive me that I let life come our way. 

Forgive me for not being there in your toughest times. 

Forgive me when I was not there when you had to take that  bucket of beer to forget all of life’s dramas. 

Forgive me when I was not there when you proudly took that stage and moved that tassel from left to right. 

Forgive me when you’ve got no choice but to be alone. 

Forgive me because I was not there when you traveled to places, many places, many different places. Please forgive me for I was just here, not there with you.

I know God will bless you all of what you desire for you are the best friend, one could ever have. Thank you for that!

I love you and I will always be a friend and a family to you, in ten lifetimes!

Have a blast! 

Happy birthday!

P.S.

Here is a collage of our moments together,

Sa tanan na imnanay, pamiestahanay kag walang hanggang kadlawanay!

Bal,an mo man nan a matulokay lang ta ya, alam na this na dayon.. hahaha!

A Decade Without You

A DECADE WITHOUT YOU

by Pal

It’s already a decade since the day you left.

It’s already a decade but the pain of your loss still linger.

It’s already a decade and yet we still grieve.

It’s already a decade but the longing is like forever.

It’s already a decade that we miss your hugs and kisses.

It’s already a decade that we last felt your last caress.

It’s already a decade when you last showered us with your wisdom.

It’s already a decade since we’ve lost our king in our little kingdom.

It’s already a decade but each day we miss you even more

It’s already a decade and it will never be like before.

It’s already a decade but the loneliness won’t go away.

The moment we lost you was the worst that came our way, a decade today.

It’s already a decade when life has set us apart.

It’s already a decade but you’ll be forever in my heart.

It’s already a decade and we might not understand why you chose not to stay.

But I can’t wait for the moment to be with you again, one sweet day.

Is this the Change that We Want Coming?

Is this the change that we want coming?

Lately, for the past few months, every time I watch the news in the television, read newspapers or browse my social networking sites, there is this feeling that I cannot fathom. I do not know how exactly what I’d feel, I mean I know what I feel but there are contradictions inside that tend to quarrel my contemplation against my emotional state.

Since the turn of the new administration is on track, I was excited yet very anxious of how the new president would lead the republic, and if “change” would really come. The question is, are we ready for this change? If so, are we ready to face the challenges that entail us with this change? Are we willing to take this change? Are we prepared for the risks and consequences that might come out of this change? And are we amenable enough to leave the past for the betterment of the future? No matter what, no matter how?

Today is the 100^th day that we’re under the leadership of the new president. I just can’t help but wonder, about all the good things that had happened during the past few months, things that this administration had brought; however, it cannot reciprocate the lives that were taken, the lives of those persons alleged to be involved in drugs. 

I cannot imagine how the families that have lost their loved ones, children who were instantly orphaned and were left wondering why life is so cruel to them, can still go on in their lives not knowing and understanding why a sudden “change” have affected their once normal perception of the importance of life. I just can’t help but really wonder, why on earth would you kill someone, for that “change ” to take place. 

Yes, breaking the laws of the land necessitates retribution, but without compromising the requirement of going through your right to due process.

Death is not the answer on how we could change the scheme. Death can never alleviate the lives of the families whose kin was slaughtered. Death can never be an answer to the question of a baby boy who would, later on, wonder why he grew up without a father because of this so called “war on drugs” crusade. 

Death can never feed the hungry mouths of a family of eight, now that their bread winner was shot dead along the busy street of the city because he was an alleged drug runner. Death can never heal a mother’s wound brought about by the pains of sorrow and grief because her son was found lying lifeless beside a trash can with a tag on his neck, saying “DRUG ADDICT AKO, HUWAG TULARAN”. Death can never be an answer, nor a solution to our country’s cliched dilemmas.

Why is this happening? It really saddens me. Is this what we want to instill in the minds of our children?

Is this what we want to be known to the world?

Is this what our forefathers had fought for against our invaders and colonizers? To kill each other? Our fellow countrymen?

Is this how are we going to address the pressing issues in our society? Just by killing/ just by death?

Is this what we want to leave to the next generations?

We have gone blinded by our urge for that change. Instead of shedding light to make a brighter tomorrow, we are giving in to resort in wicked ways of eradicating evil.

Remember, a wrong doing cannot be offset by committing another one in making it right.

We are instilling fear instead of discipline. We are breeding rage and angst instead of forgiveness and hope. We are amplifying division instead of unity. The church against the state, the human rights advocates and front-runners against our men in uniform who holds in the mantra, "to serve and protect", and the people who believes in second chances against those who have been sick and tired of the system.

You know what? We are better than this. 

We Filipinos have been known to the world for surpassing each and every storm that come our way, against all odds for centuries. I still believe that these things happen for a reason. 

Let us all pray and hope for the best for our homeland.

Fingers crossed. I know this too shall pass.

How to Be Productive

Sharing this with you guyz! I think i need an "IDEA DUMP BOOK", hmmm, so that i could have a copy of all of my out of this world ideas, (just the wholesome ones eh,, hehehe) for future use, or rather, whenever my crazy mind feels like putting it to action.. hahaha

hope this can help! thanks!

Why Me Lord? by Redan Lopez

This is a prayer written by my father days before he 

joined our Almighty. I saw this inside his wallet, good thing that it can still be read.

 I think this deserves to be published. 

Why Me Lord?

Redan Ramon P. Lopez

Why me, Lord?

Amidst heavy burdens and trials

Amidst life’s difficulties

I have often asked God this question,

“Why me, Lord?, Why this, Lord?”

One day, in a soft, gentle voice in my heart,

He answered me, “but why not you my child?”

It is you I have chosen to share with me this cross, this special privilege.

I know you can bear it patiently for my sake

because I will give you the strength for it, my strength.

I know this cross wil bring you closer to me.

Because you will need to depend on me, completely.

I know you will come out of this cross with victory.

As my own cross ended in victory, too.

My child, today I give you my love, my hope and my joy.

A burning love that will pull you through all difficulties in life.

A hope that will keep you persevering,

Knowing that trials are temporary and victory always awaits those who trust in me.

A joy not without pain, but a joy despite pain and suffering

A joy that will touch the hearts of many.

A joy planted deep in your soul and no one can take away from you.

I know you will be good witness of My great love, M y child

This is why I share my cross with you.

I answered,

“Lord, now I understand.

Give me the grace to accept each cross I carry.

As a special privilege rather than a burden.

Even just saying it seems hard.

Lord, but with you at my side always,

I’ll pull through with courage.

Amen.”

Truthful Humanity

This article is something very personal and yet very universal in a sense that it is a constant thing in all walks of life in this unpredictable world.

I've been thinking on what is really  truthful humanity. The phrase itself is such a big word, that you can’t even think of a concrete answer in an instant if you were asked ‘what is truthful humanity’. Agree? However, as I think harder, the real essence of truthful humanity is that, it is very simple. No matter how big the word these words are, it will still boil down to the one and only rule for mankind, (if you will ask me) The Golden Rule. What is the Golden Rule? It states that “One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.”

Very simple right? Yet very hard to follow. In life, everything will run as smooth as silk if we follow the basic rules. We will never go wrong if we follow the Golden Rule. The moment that we realize all the things that had happened in our lives turned to crap, I’m sure that regrets will bombard you as hell. If only that you have done it the right way. But I guess it is never too late. As long as we live, we are still on the clock. All we have to do is think of the things that could have saved our relationships, might have make4 us graduate on time, or might have made us better persons. I am certain that each of us has heart that only needs to be pushed a little.

The Golden Rule is an example that will make us humane. Really humane. If we are humane, we might get the chance to know what the real meaning of humanity is. I have pointers here that I think could help you be humane enough to fulfill your role of exercising truthful humanity.

1st Rule, Don’t ever forget the Magic Words.

               Learning to say thank Pleas and Thank you won’t hurt you. Regardless of how little or how big your favor is, just say it.  Even in the restaurants, to waiters, when they take your order, or for asking a glass of water. You might say that they are getting paid to that but hey, if you are their shoes, how would you feel if someone asks something from you and then turns their back after getting what they want, how would it feel like? It’s not good right?

Especially the people who are doing favors for you without asking for anything in return, a simple thank you could really make their day. Be generous enough to say these magic words for it is one way of showing them that you care.

2nd Rule, Count and Share your Blessings.

                Every morning as you wake up, thank God for the day that He has given unto you. Every day is new beginning, a new day to start to be better than you are yesterday. Keep in mind that you have the blessing that someone in the other part of the world doesn’t have.  Think of simple ways on how you can share this to those within your reach. Giving your old pairs of pants to a friend who you know does not have that much is something right? By just showing a simple kind of kindness to your neighbor is something that would make you smile at night when you go to bed. You would tell yourself that, you have done something good in a day.

3rd Rule, Respect, even the unrespectable.

                Respect the gift of life, respect the people around you, and respect those who may seem 

unrespectable. Always bear in mind that we are all creations of God, so therefore, it is our obligation to respect one another even if others are not, cannot, and will not. No matter whatever walk of life they come from, treat them fairly. Never give biased judgment based on what your naked eyes can see. “As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.” This is a line from my favorite poem, Desiderata. It is not being plastic or hypocrite. It is just that you are an educated person, you are loved, you are ought to love no matter what happens. It is just being diplomatic.

               

These three rules that I have given you are but a fraction of what we are really capable of meeting what the role of a human who exercises truthful humanity. However, these words that I have written here are all fruits of my pragmatic knowledge on how people should in accordance to what the society require us. If we just follow the very basic rule as I have said earlier, The Golden Rule, will certainly make us live harmoniously as possible with others as what we are ought to.

                Peace, love and harmony. This is what my best friend always says. And I guess this what truthful humanity is all about.