Monasterio de Santa Clara,
6:00 am 25, Octubre 2010
Sleeplessness didn't keep me from leaving the house and travel all the way from Santa Mesa to Katipunan for a pilgrimage. The school precincts maybe opening in a few hours for the local elections, but seeking petitions for a favored candidate was not my intention.
A day before, utol had her baby shower at our family house in Paranaque. It was also a mini-gathering for the family since mom will be celebrating her 64th birthday, and the favorite aunt will be leaving the next day for a medical mission abroad.
She will be gone for 8 days.
Utol's pregnancy has come into fruition. Nine agonizing months of mood swings and throw-ups, of endless check-ups and flare ups - we had to bear the firestorm for the sake of the child. Mom was on the verge of giving up a few times, but constant reminder that she will become a lola soon had rubbed off her temper.
The ob-gyne gave the utol a week. Little firstborn will come out at anytime. The family is used to having the doctor around, but since the favorite aunt will be in Oceania, disquieted feelings surged at the fact that we would be alone should my sister go into labor.
Our elders taught us to rely on faith when in need of intercession. Prayer works, they say, and when human intervention is not possible, thoughts of the creator becomes our solace. We may have given up our religious leanings, but the move only made our faith stronger. Having found my anchorage, I returned to my sanctum. The patroness has never let me down, and the small favor - for my sister not to go into labor while my favorite aunt is away - was the reason for my visit.
Nothing special happened that morning. There were no dancing sun or burning bush appearing in front of me. I prayed at the guardhouse while a Eucharistic service took place inside the church. I find tailored celebrations discomforting. As the last of the Our Fathers and Holy Mary's drop from my lips, my heart was finally assured.
Everything will be alright
I felt the bliss whistling from the nearby tress, the gentle nudging of the wind, in silence finding its way into my troubled spirit. For mortals such as we, a slice of peace is all that we need. I left the monastery to cast my vote and then went to bed at past 9 in the morning.
Eight days have passed. Heaven has listened. Utol was even given the chance to drop by the cemetery to visit my dad who has gone home to heaven. The favorite aunt's plane safely landed at the airport. She brought tales and lessons from her journey.
Centro de llamadas
12:34 pm, 03 Noviembre 2010
An SMS message:
"Gud pm. Manga2nak n c Ryu. For admission na."
Time to say hello to my nephew.
I wish someday, he would refer to me as his favorite uncle.