The D Spot

A dear friend asked me just recently to say the first thought that comes to mind when a word is mentioned:  FAMILY. Without batting an eyelash and without second thoughts I said—my number one.

Yes, many as they are, they are my number 1—SOLID. And why not? They are God’s greatest gift to me. I would continue to nurture them, would fight for them, give up my personal ambitions and dreams for them, and love them with all my heart. The very little that is left of me and for me—I will be content.

As many of you know, my family is a big one compared to today’s standard. That is why I consider myself to be rich, very rich indeed and very blessed. No matter what my shortcomings are, I do not delve on them anymore. What I do is to look forward to today and tomorrow. Despite the shortcomings, my husband and I were able to raise them well and continue raising our children, who by the standard of some people are ABNORMAL.

Why abnormal? While some children are difficult to raise, I never had any major problem raising mine. I have always been proud of their achievements, their talents, their dedication to their studies, their empathy (a lot of them have their own advocacies at a young age), and their being true to themselves. Despite the financial limitations in the past, I never heard a word of complaint. And look where they are now, J Angelo married to Caren and dad to Pia (6), Cate (4), Raphael (7 months) and Michael in heaven (since 2 years back), Monica who graduated from the Ateneo School of Law and recently took the Bar Exams, BA, Vince and Chato who are in UP, Pau who is graduating from Miriam HS, and Alan Jr, graduating from Claret School and soon to be a HS student at the Ateneo.

Everyday is a work in progress. That is how the family is—happy, contented and loving. That simple.

The secret? I must be the cool mom and their dad is the balance, the disciplinarian, which he admits “sometimes to the point of being hurtful”. He needs to be, he says.

And the most important secret? GOD is the center of our lives, especially in these times when evil is all around us, when the devil lurks in the disguise of something good, when accidents happen here and there, when innocent people are killed, and many many more. We need to have Someone in whose hands we can place our full faith and trust to.

Thank God, 2009 has been a good year! We thank Him for the bountiful blessings of love, peace and yes, hope!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

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