Good Monday, everyone! I'm still here, around, trying to live and enjoy each day/the present moment simply well, with my Faith. Thank God, we're doing good. Let's bundle up and keep warm, everyone! Winter weather is still with us. Let's pray for those homeless in our midst that they find shelter and comfort. May God bless us all.
How are you all doing, btw (by the way)? Hope you're doing great, in spite of the winter weather we have. I can't complain, though. I'm glad and thankful that we have had a taste of snow last week. Overall, I believe, we received 2-3 inches of snow accumulated in our area. (I took a couple of pictures of the event for posterity's sake.) As of now, we still have white spots in our deck by our backyard, while all the roads and streets are completely cleared of snow.
What's up with me lately? Well, aside from attending Mass on Sunday/s and eating out after Mass with my wife Freny and sis-in-law Rose, I've been engrossed with praying the Holy Rosary almost everyday (to the point that I even invite FB friends to do the same, encouraging them to visit www.comepraytherosary.org), watching some videos of YouTubers (or vloggers as they're called) that I stumbled with. Likewise, I read, and at times share to Facebook friends, articles and insightful photos posted on Facebook and by Catholic bloggers that I follow on a regular basis. I prepare meals for dinner, on most weekdays. I listen to NPR (National Public Radio) almost daily, and watch TV newscast. That's basically it. As I've said over and over, I just try my best to live (and to try to enjoy) the present moment simply well, thankful for all of God's blessings to me and my family.
As a retired veteran US Navy serviceman, since 2005, I just try to take it easy each day and do what I can to be useful to others (despite my having medical/physical concerns/issues). With what I have, I try to enjoy life even if I know that it's not that easy, at times, to do, especially when you're in constant pain or managing a chronic bodily/lower back pain. The present moment is what matters most to me, as I keep on saying all the time. I'm not worried about tomorrow. And neither yesterday, especially. Why? Because I know that yesterday is gone. It's done. We can't undo what happened yesterday, can we? That's true. To me, yesterday is but a passing scene, an adventure, another day that slipped by in one's life with all its perks, problems, and unfulfilled promises. I live now. That's what matters. I have to make the most of today, this very moment. How? By living the present moment simply well, with my faith, with Him, my true friend. Vivat Jesus!
My dear folks ans friends, this is all for now. I thank you for all that you do to make our world safer and peaceful. Take care and have a nice day, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 28January2013
Showing posts with label Reflections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reflections. Show all posts
Monday, January 28, 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
On a Bright, Sunny, Winter Day in Hampton Roads
Good Tuesday, everyone! And thank you, readers, from US, Russia, UK, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Belgium, Canada, China, and Taiwan. Hope you're doing well on this beautiful day in January 2013. Yes, we're still alive and well. Thank you, good and gracious God. Thank you, Jesus, and Mother Mary! And to all people of goodwill, thank you for what you do to make our world safer and peaceful.
Outside, I see the bright sun, clear sky, and about fifty or more Canadian geese on the school playground. Observing them intently as I continue my pace of walking (while praying and meditating on the Holy Rosary) in our backyard this morning, I can't help but admire these wonderful creatures. Hence, here's what I scribbled on a piece of paper after my thirty minute of being outside with plenty of sunshine, under the clear blue sky, and mild temperature...
Outside, I see the bright sun, clear sky, and about fifty or more Canadian geese on the school playground. Observing them intently as I continue my pace of walking (while praying and meditating on the Holy Rosary) in our backyard this morning, I can't help but admire these wonderful creatures. Hence, here's what I scribbled on a piece of paper after my thirty minute of being outside with plenty of sunshine, under the clear blue sky, and mild temperature...
The Canadian Geese and Me on a Bright, Sunny, Winter Day in HR
The Canadian geese
they're here again in school ground
this time of the year.
They're in groups and pairs
like people in the open
enjoying Freedom.
They're calm and quiet
unless disturbed and provoked
they're cool, free, playful.
Under a clear sky
with calm wind, on a sunshiny day
I feel free and blessed!
(c) 2013 by Chris A. Quilpa
Thank you, Almighty God, for this beautiful day! Thank you for your creation, and the blessings and graces we receive each and every day. Thank you for this very moment of peace and solitude.
May God continue to bless us all, always!
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Tempus Fugit; Carpe Diem!
Tempus fugit! How time flies so quickly that, for all we know, soon we're bidding 2012 adieu and welcoming 2013 with optimism, I hope! Let's give thanks to God, our Almighty, Heavenly Father! And thank you, Jesus, for coming again into our lives!
Carpe diem! Seize the day, the present moment! Let's live the present moment well with hope, prayer and thanksgiving. Yes, life is short, too short to be worrying and stressing so much. The past is past. Don't worry about it. Whatever happened it's done and gone. It's over and done. We can't undo what is done. We can only remember what we want to remember out of our past. I don't live yesterday. I don't live tomorrow. I just live now, today, this very present moment.
Yes, time flies and nothing you and I can do about it. It's just the law of nature, I believe. For all we know, we're adding again another new year into our life-existence here on Earth. For all we know, we've missed some things in life and that's okay. For all we know, a moment has passed by with or without fanfare, not much celebration. So what do all these mean to us, earthlings? Carpe diem! Yes, (let's) seize the day, the moment, by enjoying Life this very moment with or without our family. Do what makes you alive and well. Pray for your salvation and for others'. Sing if you feel like singing. dance with or without the music. Eat if you feel hungry. Write and/or speak if you have ideas to say or share. Be out there in the open if you feel suffocated and breathe fresh air to clear your lungs. Remember this: Only you can live your life to the fullest. Only you can change your life-world for the better. Time flies so let's seize the moment!
Wish you all A Happy, Healthy, New Year! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!" Peace!-chris a. quilpa, 29December2012
Carpe diem! Seize the day, the present moment! Let's live the present moment well with hope, prayer and thanksgiving. Yes, life is short, too short to be worrying and stressing so much. The past is past. Don't worry about it. Whatever happened it's done and gone. It's over and done. We can't undo what is done. We can only remember what we want to remember out of our past. I don't live yesterday. I don't live tomorrow. I just live now, today, this very present moment.
Yes, time flies and nothing you and I can do about it. It's just the law of nature, I believe. For all we know, we're adding again another new year into our life-existence here on Earth. For all we know, we've missed some things in life and that's okay. For all we know, a moment has passed by with or without fanfare, not much celebration. So what do all these mean to us, earthlings? Carpe diem! Yes, (let's) seize the day, the moment, by enjoying Life this very moment with or without our family. Do what makes you alive and well. Pray for your salvation and for others'. Sing if you feel like singing. dance with or without the music. Eat if you feel hungry. Write and/or speak if you have ideas to say or share. Be out there in the open if you feel suffocated and breathe fresh air to clear your lungs. Remember this: Only you can live your life to the fullest. Only you can change your life-world for the better. Time flies so let's seize the moment!
Wish you all A Happy, Healthy, New Year! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!" Peace!-chris a. quilpa, 29December2012
Simply Living the Present Moment Well
Good Saturday, everyone! Do hope you have had a joyful, peaceful, and hopeful Christmas. In my case, I did try to celebrate it simply and serenely, but filled with Faith.
About an hour ago, I think, I prayed the Holy Rosary, meditating on the Joyful Mysteries. With my interest and/or commitment to renewing and relearning my Faith through the New Evangelization of the Catholic Church, I did invite everyone (via Facebook) to pray along with me the holy rosary, using one of the available videos on YouTube. I do hope somebody out there did.
Previous days, after Christmas, I've just been chilling out at home, resting and relaxing, just simply living the present moment well with the rest of my family. Glad and thankful that son Andrew and daughter Tintin are with us during the holidays. I can't ask for better holiday gift than to see all of us home together safe and healthy.
Living the present moment simply well is and will be on my mind every waking hour of my days. I'm so thankful to the Focolare Movement for this idea which I got when I participated in the GenFest 1980 in Rome, Italy. That experience has been on my mind, and I kinda think that that is one of the best moments that ever happened to me in life. There was that opportunity and I grabbed it. I can't believe that not even in my dream did I ever dare think I would be there in the Eternal City and the Vatican. But it happened to me unexpectedly. I won't ever forget this experience, truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has deepened my spirituality and Faith.
You see, my dear folks and friends, as we continue living or shall I say having lived this life for over five decades now, I have observed so many things happening in the world. I have come to realize that there are few things that matters most in life while there are many that don't matter. There are stuff that make no sense and life gets complicated because of societal issues that need to be addressed by all nations on Earth. I've come to realize that the world is not fair to the less fortunate in our midst, to the underserved the marginalized in our community. It's so unfair to those struggling to survive, to those people wanting to be free, to those who aspire to live/get better but with not much opportunities for them, and to those who were just starting to live and enjoy life only to be taken away by gun violence, senseless people, war, poverty, disease, human trafficking, etc.
I'm glad and thankful that we have tools and role models that we can look up to while living life. Education, which is one of the keys to understanding ourselves and our world, is an avenue that help us in realizing what matters in life. On the other hand, we have less prominent or famous people (religious and spiritual, government), decent personalities/entertainers that somehow help influence our lives and the way we live. And in spite of the materialistic world we live in, we come to realize what is important and that is Life. In order for the world to survive and for the Earth to continue spinning on its orbit, we have no choice but to value Life. Life is the essence of our existence as one human family. Without Life, there's nothing, no world, no eternity. But with Life, we exist and experience all that Life has to offer to the world.
Simply living the present moment well, with Faith, is what I intend to do for the rest of my life. As friends, folks, and years come and go, I have to acknowledge and accept and live the present moment simply well. If praying while living the present moment is all that I can do, then I have got to do it for my salvation and for others', too. Going against the current while living simply the present moment is somehow impossible but, I believe, it is achievable, if I put my mind to it. After all, He is with me, I believe. (He dwelt among us, gave us hope and joy, and life, and died for us so that we may live a new life with Him forever.)
Well, my dear folks and friends, this is all for now. Until next time around. Take care and have a wonderful weekend, everyone. As we wait for the arrival of a new year 2013, let's resolve to live a life of simplicity, in solidarity with the rest of our brothers and sisters who have been deprived of what we (luxuriously) have. Let's continue to pray for one another, to pray for all the deceased, and to pray for an end to (gun) violence and war. Peace be with us always! And may God our Almighty and Heavenly Father bless us always!-chris a. quilpa, 29Dec2012
P.S.
While I was about to sign off with this blog post, my wife Freny just handed me a couple of Dove candies. Three to be exact. Thanking her and having eaten the candies with a cup of oatmeal, I couldn't help myself but be amused at the wrappings and the messages, especially, of those candies. Here are the nuggets of wisdom from those chocolate candies: 1) Holiday mood starts within you. 2) Togetherness in itself is a holiday treat. 3) A smile is the perfect gift, personal and encouraging.
Hope and pray that you're all doing well. Again, take care, my dear folks and friends, and have a blessed day!-chris (aka Fernando)
About an hour ago, I think, I prayed the Holy Rosary, meditating on the Joyful Mysteries. With my interest and/or commitment to renewing and relearning my Faith through the New Evangelization of the Catholic Church, I did invite everyone (via Facebook) to pray along with me the holy rosary, using one of the available videos on YouTube. I do hope somebody out there did.
Previous days, after Christmas, I've just been chilling out at home, resting and relaxing, just simply living the present moment well with the rest of my family. Glad and thankful that son Andrew and daughter Tintin are with us during the holidays. I can't ask for better holiday gift than to see all of us home together safe and healthy.
Living the present moment simply well is and will be on my mind every waking hour of my days. I'm so thankful to the Focolare Movement for this idea which I got when I participated in the GenFest 1980 in Rome, Italy. That experience has been on my mind, and I kinda think that that is one of the best moments that ever happened to me in life. There was that opportunity and I grabbed it. I can't believe that not even in my dream did I ever dare think I would be there in the Eternal City and the Vatican. But it happened to me unexpectedly. I won't ever forget this experience, truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has deepened my spirituality and Faith.
You see, my dear folks and friends, as we continue living or shall I say having lived this life for over five decades now, I have observed so many things happening in the world. I have come to realize that there are few things that matters most in life while there are many that don't matter. There are stuff that make no sense and life gets complicated because of societal issues that need to be addressed by all nations on Earth. I've come to realize that the world is not fair to the less fortunate in our midst, to the underserved the marginalized in our community. It's so unfair to those struggling to survive, to those people wanting to be free, to those who aspire to live/get better but with not much opportunities for them, and to those who were just starting to live and enjoy life only to be taken away by gun violence, senseless people, war, poverty, disease, human trafficking, etc.
I'm glad and thankful that we have tools and role models that we can look up to while living life. Education, which is one of the keys to understanding ourselves and our world, is an avenue that help us in realizing what matters in life. On the other hand, we have less prominent or famous people (religious and spiritual, government), decent personalities/entertainers that somehow help influence our lives and the way we live. And in spite of the materialistic world we live in, we come to realize what is important and that is Life. In order for the world to survive and for the Earth to continue spinning on its orbit, we have no choice but to value Life. Life is the essence of our existence as one human family. Without Life, there's nothing, no world, no eternity. But with Life, we exist and experience all that Life has to offer to the world.
Simply living the present moment well, with Faith, is what I intend to do for the rest of my life. As friends, folks, and years come and go, I have to acknowledge and accept and live the present moment simply well. If praying while living the present moment is all that I can do, then I have got to do it for my salvation and for others', too. Going against the current while living simply the present moment is somehow impossible but, I believe, it is achievable, if I put my mind to it. After all, He is with me, I believe. (He dwelt among us, gave us hope and joy, and life, and died for us so that we may live a new life with Him forever.)
Well, my dear folks and friends, this is all for now. Until next time around. Take care and have a wonderful weekend, everyone. As we wait for the arrival of a new year 2013, let's resolve to live a life of simplicity, in solidarity with the rest of our brothers and sisters who have been deprived of what we (luxuriously) have. Let's continue to pray for one another, to pray for all the deceased, and to pray for an end to (gun) violence and war. Peace be with us always! And may God our Almighty and Heavenly Father bless us always!-chris a. quilpa, 29Dec2012
P.S.
While I was about to sign off with this blog post, my wife Freny just handed me a couple of Dove candies. Three to be exact. Thanking her and having eaten the candies with a cup of oatmeal, I couldn't help myself but be amused at the wrappings and the messages, especially, of those candies. Here are the nuggets of wisdom from those chocolate candies: 1) Holiday mood starts within you. 2) Togetherness in itself is a holiday treat. 3) A smile is the perfect gift, personal and encouraging.
Hope and pray that you're all doing well. Again, take care, my dear folks and friends, and have a blessed day!-chris (aka Fernando)
Saturday, December 22, 2012
A Different Christmas, This Time
Happy Holidays, everyone! Merry Christmas to You All! Maligayang Pasko sa Inyong Lahat! Naimbag a Paskuayo Amin! Feliz Navidad! Buon Natale! Fröliche Weihnachten! Joyeux Noël!
As Advent is winding down (now it's the fourth and last week before Christmas Day), I have these questions for you, my dear folks and friends, and me: Aren't we already into the holiday mood, with all the Christmas decorations, the glitters of silver and gold everywhere we go these days? Can we say with confidence that we're now prepared to welcome Him once again, with open arms and a loving heart, the One who is yet to come, the only Begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, our Lord? How ready are we for the joyful celebration of His coming again into our lives? Those are the questions only you and I can answer.
A different Christmas this time? What do you mean, you ask? Yes, I'm definitely sure that it's a different Christmas this time, for me. I've already made up my mind that it's different this time. You see, over the past or previous years, I've been very good at decking the halls or decorating the house, trying to look good and please others. What, no more interest this time? No motivation, eh? I don't mean to say that I don't celebrate Christmas anymore. I do. But in a more meaningful, spiritual way, I think so. Now, this time, my Advent is focused on myself and my renewal of my Faith. This is my take, my perspective with regards to Christmas preparation. It's me personally that needs preparation. As a sinner, I strive to be a saint someday trying to do good, to live my life that is, I believe, more pleasing to our God the Almighty Father. My gift to Jesus when He comes again is myself bearing in mind the Beatitudes.
This is just me now, my dear folks and friends. Frankly speaking, I'm not really that interested into the commercialism of Christmas this time. Although I try my best to practice alms/gift-giving, I don't expect anything in return. Yes, I'd rather give than to receive now and always. I'm trying to live a simple life but it's hard to imagine when you're surrounded by a lot of clutters, etc. I don't have a need for more of this, more of that stuff, clothes to wear, anything that are mere decorations to my physical body.
What, a different Christmas this time? How come? As you know, I've realized that there's more to life than focusing on material things or wealth. And we know that we have only one life to live, that life is short and fleeting. I can enjoy life in varied ways, not in extravagant or luxurious ways, but in simple living. I, personally, am contented in having what I have, and not what I don't have. You know what I have? I have Jesus, my inspiration in life! He's all that matters to me nowadays. Don't get me wrong; my family and folks and friends matter to me, too. But, my Brother Jesus takes precedence over others. That's just me now.
This time, I'm on Christmas getaway, far away from my residence to a place that, to me, is a little laid back or country, in a way. Yes, I'm celebrating my Christmas simply, with Freny and Tintin, in D-ville! I just want to experience that different feeling of Christmas, reminiscent of my past in which there is this kind of innocence, patience and perseverance but with a sense of humility and simplicity, you know. (BTW, as I started writing this blog post, I've been listening to my Christmas carols, children singing Christmas songs with that kind of joy, passion and innocence, recalling by childhood days when my friends and young relatives and I went caroling from house to house way back in the Philippines. What a feeling of nostalgia, especially this Christmas season!
Well, my dear folks and friends, this is all for now. Until next time around. Take care and be safe and have a blessed day, everyone! (It's getting late and, I know, I should have been in bed by now, and getting ready and excited for tomorrow's Sunday Mass which I'm looking forward to it. (Thank God, I'm alive and well. I'm grateful that I have my faith, family, folks, and friends everywhere who share some of my views, I believe.) As always, I pray, "may God bless us all!" Before I forget, please help me pray for the victims and the families and those affected by last week's school shooting in Connecticut. Likewise, please help me pray for Fr. Luke Suarez and Msgr. Bob Weiss of St. Rose of Lima parish, in Newtown, Connecticut that they continue to have the courage and strength to spread the Good News of salvation to all the parishioners there. Thank you. God bless and keep them always! On the other hand, let's keep CHRIST in CHRISTMAS! Again, I wish you all the best this Christmas and the coming New Year! Vivat Jesus!-chris a. quilpa, 22Dec2012
As Advent is winding down (now it's the fourth and last week before Christmas Day), I have these questions for you, my dear folks and friends, and me: Aren't we already into the holiday mood, with all the Christmas decorations, the glitters of silver and gold everywhere we go these days? Can we say with confidence that we're now prepared to welcome Him once again, with open arms and a loving heart, the One who is yet to come, the only Begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, our Lord? How ready are we for the joyful celebration of His coming again into our lives? Those are the questions only you and I can answer.
A different Christmas this time? What do you mean, you ask? Yes, I'm definitely sure that it's a different Christmas this time, for me. I've already made up my mind that it's different this time. You see, over the past or previous years, I've been very good at decking the halls or decorating the house, trying to look good and please others. What, no more interest this time? No motivation, eh? I don't mean to say that I don't celebrate Christmas anymore. I do. But in a more meaningful, spiritual way, I think so. Now, this time, my Advent is focused on myself and my renewal of my Faith. This is my take, my perspective with regards to Christmas preparation. It's me personally that needs preparation. As a sinner, I strive to be a saint someday trying to do good, to live my life that is, I believe, more pleasing to our God the Almighty Father. My gift to Jesus when He comes again is myself bearing in mind the Beatitudes.
This is just me now, my dear folks and friends. Frankly speaking, I'm not really that interested into the commercialism of Christmas this time. Although I try my best to practice alms/gift-giving, I don't expect anything in return. Yes, I'd rather give than to receive now and always. I'm trying to live a simple life but it's hard to imagine when you're surrounded by a lot of clutters, etc. I don't have a need for more of this, more of that stuff, clothes to wear, anything that are mere decorations to my physical body.
What, a different Christmas this time? How come? As you know, I've realized that there's more to life than focusing on material things or wealth. And we know that we have only one life to live, that life is short and fleeting. I can enjoy life in varied ways, not in extravagant or luxurious ways, but in simple living. I, personally, am contented in having what I have, and not what I don't have. You know what I have? I have Jesus, my inspiration in life! He's all that matters to me nowadays. Don't get me wrong; my family and folks and friends matter to me, too. But, my Brother Jesus takes precedence over others. That's just me now.
This time, I'm on Christmas getaway, far away from my residence to a place that, to me, is a little laid back or country, in a way. Yes, I'm celebrating my Christmas simply, with Freny and Tintin, in D-ville! I just want to experience that different feeling of Christmas, reminiscent of my past in which there is this kind of innocence, patience and perseverance but with a sense of humility and simplicity, you know. (BTW, as I started writing this blog post, I've been listening to my Christmas carols, children singing Christmas songs with that kind of joy, passion and innocence, recalling by childhood days when my friends and young relatives and I went caroling from house to house way back in the Philippines. What a feeling of nostalgia, especially this Christmas season!
Well, my dear folks and friends, this is all for now. Until next time around. Take care and be safe and have a blessed day, everyone! (It's getting late and, I know, I should have been in bed by now, and getting ready and excited for tomorrow's Sunday Mass which I'm looking forward to it. (Thank God, I'm alive and well. I'm grateful that I have my faith, family, folks, and friends everywhere who share some of my views, I believe.) As always, I pray, "may God bless us all!" Before I forget, please help me pray for the victims and the families and those affected by last week's school shooting in Connecticut. Likewise, please help me pray for Fr. Luke Suarez and Msgr. Bob Weiss of St. Rose of Lima parish, in Newtown, Connecticut that they continue to have the courage and strength to spread the Good News of salvation to all the parishioners there. Thank you. God bless and keep them always! On the other hand, let's keep CHRIST in CHRISTMAS! Again, I wish you all the best this Christmas and the coming New Year! Vivat Jesus!-chris a. quilpa, 22Dec2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
It's Wintertime, Already?
Good Friday, everyone! Brrr...its's chilly and cold, and windy, over here in the Northern Hemisphere! Other parts of US, like Iowa, have snowed already. Yes, it's undeniably wintertime, the coldest season of the year! It's time to wear those warm jackets and sweaters, mittens and gloves again! Are we anticipating a White Christmas in our area? Come what may, let's bundle up and keep warm, my dear folks and friends. But, wait a minute, to our friends in the Southern Hemisphere, it's their summertime, huh? Well, as long as we have Light, we're gonna be fine. Anyway, in all fairness, let's live life and try to enjoy it with all its seasons and changes, shall we? Thank you, Almighty God.
How are we doing these days? Busy as ever making a living, living life? Well, I do hope and pray that all is well as we hurdle one obstacle in life after another. We're glad and thankful that we're alive with our Faith still intact. Thank you, good and gracious God. And thank you, Jesus, for your coming once again into our lives this time. We're happy to welcome you into our hearts for you are Love. You're our Comfort and Joy, no doubt. You're our Hope for a better, safer world.
This morning, I woke up so early that I couldn't get back to sleep. While still in bed, I prayed my rosary, concentrating/meditating on the Sorrowful Mysteries. Then, I had an urgent call for restroom break. I continued praying (along with a video on YouTube) while using the restroom in our room. Back to our bedroom where my wife Freny is still in slumber, I started reading a couple of my favorite Catholic blogs,while listening to John Michael Talbot's liturgical songs. (In fact, as I continue writing this blog post, I'm listening to his music with gusto.) You see, from one of the blogs I just read, I learned something that inspired me to pray again for those victims and their families of the Connecticut school shooting. Also, I prayed for those volunteers there, specifically to these men of God like Reverend Fr. Luke Suarez and Monsignor Weiss of St. Rose of Lima parish in Newtown, CT. My dear folks and friends, please include them in your prayers, too, as they continue to help the grieving families and friends of the departed, and to find comfort and joy in their pastoral work this Christmas time or holiday season. And let's pray for all the travelers, too, as they long to be with their families and friends this holiday season. Thank you, my dear folks and friends. May God bless us all always!
As we anticipate the joyous celebration of Christmas, let's ponder on the following reading from the Bible, from St. John 3:16-21:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God."
Well, this is all for now. Until next time around, my dear folks and friends. Take care and have a blessed day, everyone! Stay safe and have faith! May God bless us all, as always! Happy holidays! Merry Christmas and A Happy, Healthy New Year! Peace, my friends I give to you!-chris a. quilpa, 21Dec2012
How are we doing these days? Busy as ever making a living, living life? Well, I do hope and pray that all is well as we hurdle one obstacle in life after another. We're glad and thankful that we're alive with our Faith still intact. Thank you, good and gracious God. And thank you, Jesus, for your coming once again into our lives this time. We're happy to welcome you into our hearts for you are Love. You're our Comfort and Joy, no doubt. You're our Hope for a better, safer world.
This morning, I woke up so early that I couldn't get back to sleep. While still in bed, I prayed my rosary, concentrating/meditating on the Sorrowful Mysteries. Then, I had an urgent call for restroom break. I continued praying (along with a video on YouTube) while using the restroom in our room. Back to our bedroom where my wife Freny is still in slumber, I started reading a couple of my favorite Catholic blogs,while listening to John Michael Talbot's liturgical songs. (In fact, as I continue writing this blog post, I'm listening to his music with gusto.) You see, from one of the blogs I just read, I learned something that inspired me to pray again for those victims and their families of the Connecticut school shooting. Also, I prayed for those volunteers there, specifically to these men of God like Reverend Fr. Luke Suarez and Monsignor Weiss of St. Rose of Lima parish in Newtown, CT. My dear folks and friends, please include them in your prayers, too, as they continue to help the grieving families and friends of the departed, and to find comfort and joy in their pastoral work this Christmas time or holiday season. And let's pray for all the travelers, too, as they long to be with their families and friends this holiday season. Thank you, my dear folks and friends. May God bless us all always!
As we anticipate the joyous celebration of Christmas, let's ponder on the following reading from the Bible, from St. John 3:16-21:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God."
Well, this is all for now. Until next time around, my dear folks and friends. Take care and have a blessed day, everyone! Stay safe and have faith! May God bless us all, as always! Happy holidays! Merry Christmas and A Happy, Healthy New Year! Peace, my friends I give to you!-chris a. quilpa, 21Dec2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Finding Comfort and Joy in Jesus for US
Good Thursday, everyone! Do hope and pray that we're doing well in anticipation for the celebration of Christmas. (My prayers and thoughts are with the families and friends of all the victims of the Connecticut school shooting on 14 December 2012. May the souls of the innocent victims of the school massacre, through the mercy of God, our Heavenly/Almighty Father, rest in peace. Amen.)
Before I go further, I thank you, people of goodwill from different parts of the world, i.e., Russia, Latvia, Germany, Philippines, Italy, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Pakistan, etc. for visiting/reading my blog. I invite you to pray with me for a peaceful, safer world. Happy Holidays to all of us!
I know and am aware that most, if not all, of us have been so touched and heart-broken, so affected by the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting-massacre in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday, 14December2012. Personally, as a parent of two young adults, I feel for those parents whose loved ones are gone and won't be able to celebrate all the holidays on Earth. (As I'm writing this blog post, I've been visualizing the photos of those innocent, lovely children, and the adults, too, whose lives were taken away instantly by whatever type of guns or assault weapons used in the shooting spree.) And one thing that's so sad is that it happened just days or a week before Christmas, a day supposed to be a joyous celebration, with our families, folks, friends, and our small children especially, anticipating gifts from Santa, to commemorate once again of the birth of Baby Jesus who is and will be forever our Lord and Savior and Redeemer! I could hardly imagine what the parents of the victims are going through these days, from the time they've reared their children to the time they bury them? I can't fathom the depth and breath of this sad reality. God, please help me to understand and please help these mourning parents/families! Why, why, why, on Earth do we have violence and not peace and order all the time? Why God do you allow evil acts to occur? Why?Why we have sufferings and sacrifices?
These past days, I have been contemplating on a number of issues including gun (violence, rights, control, legislation), mental health, school safety/security, family stability/solidarity, which I'd like to tackle at in my future blog posts, as I continue to update myself on what's going on in our world by listening to Morning Edition on NPR (National Public Radio) News daily and watching TV news broadcast frequently. Frankly speaking, for the past days, my thoughts have been centered on the Connecticut school shooting on 14 December 2012 that claimed the lives of twenty 6- and 7-year old innocent school children and six adults and the mother of and the reported shooter/killer 20 year-old Adam Lanza. I can't seem to process what went wrong that the deadly school rampage happened and why? What may have contributed to this unexpected tragedy?
Recall the Colorado theater shooting, Columbine and Virgina Tech and other shootings and public massacres involving guns and other high- powered ammunition-weapons. Now, this is my take on some of the issues I mentioned above. (I'm sure, there are already debates going on elsewhere, even in blogosphere and in other social media outlets about gun violence/rights/control/legislation, etc.) Let's look at ourselves and examine the kind of family we have and what we envisioned to have. Lots of stuff to consider here: If we are accountable and responsible for our own action/s, we dare should have paid attention to our lifestyle and planned ahead as to what family we should have, i.e., number of children. What kind of children are we bringing in to this world? What are we all doing to contribute to our children's future, to a better life-world? To help solve problems of our families, community/society, world? Are we giving our kids the best education they can possible have and that we can afford to give? How's our parental involvement in the rearing and upbringing of our children? How good are we parents? What changes, if any, do we have to adapt or consider if we aspire to be good parents and role models to our children? What are our rights and responsibilities, parents and children alike? What are our responsibilities towards others, too? As a family, do we have Faith? Do we have a belief in One Supreme Being, God, Allah, or other name? Does Jesus matter to us, to our lives? Do we practice our Faith? Does prayer matter to us? If so, do we pray everyday, always? If you don't have a belief, say you're an atheist, what kind of life do you want to have and why?
As a peace-loving, law-abiding citizen of the world, I am not in favor of having a gun at home. But I do believe that we have the right to bear arms to (privately) protect ourselves. I do believe, too, that there should be a limit, a control or a ban as to what type of gun we should own to protect ourselves. Assault weapons used by the military should not be in the possessions of private citizens. And prospective gun-owners should be screened or have a thorough background check to include mental evaluations before they can purchase a gun. If we have identified kids who may be in trouble at home or in school, we should constantly monitor and/or refer them to proper specialists or authorities for further help and treatment. We should be cognizant, vigilant, tolerant, respectful, and understanding of others who are unique and/or/but different from us.
I don't like violence, per se. I want peace and order in our world. I wish for joy and contentment in life for all of us, and I believe in the sharing of everything (material, spiritual) for the good of everyone here on Earth. Thank God that I have this freedom to voice out or express, and share my thoughts and ideas to/for others.
Finding comfort and joy in Jesus is what matters to me for others these days. Comfort and strength and joy for those families of the deceased and those affected, those volunteers, and men (and women) of the Faith, like Rev. Fr. Luke Suarez and Monsignor Weiss of St. Rose Lima parish in Newton, Connecticut (who all need our prayers and words of encouragement). Yes, we're in the midst of finding comfort and joy in the Baby Jesus to be born again in/for US this Christmas. I do believe it is also the wish for others and the rest of the world, too, who are longing for peace on Earth and goodwill to all men and women. Let us pray for peace in our hearts and peace for the world as we continue to prepare ourselves for the birth of the Son of God who will dwell among us and inspire us to live a righteous life. As they say, Jesus Christ is the reason for the (Christmas) season. Hence, let us keep CHRIST this CHRISTMAS and ALWAYS! Vivat Jesus!
Well, my dear folks and friends, let's continue to pray for the victims and the families of the Connecticut school shooting. Let's pray for world peace and an end to deadly (gun) violence. Mother Mary, intercede and pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
This is all for now. Until next time around, my dear folks and friends. Take care and have a safe Thursday, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 20Dec2012
Before I go further, I thank you, people of goodwill from different parts of the world, i.e., Russia, Latvia, Germany, Philippines, Italy, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Pakistan, etc. for visiting/reading my blog. I invite you to pray with me for a peaceful, safer world. Happy Holidays to all of us!
I know and am aware that most, if not all, of us have been so touched and heart-broken, so affected by the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting-massacre in Newtown, Connecticut on Friday, 14December2012. Personally, as a parent of two young adults, I feel for those parents whose loved ones are gone and won't be able to celebrate all the holidays on Earth. (As I'm writing this blog post, I've been visualizing the photos of those innocent, lovely children, and the adults, too, whose lives were taken away instantly by whatever type of guns or assault weapons used in the shooting spree.) And one thing that's so sad is that it happened just days or a week before Christmas, a day supposed to be a joyous celebration, with our families, folks, friends, and our small children especially, anticipating gifts from Santa, to commemorate once again of the birth of Baby Jesus who is and will be forever our Lord and Savior and Redeemer! I could hardly imagine what the parents of the victims are going through these days, from the time they've reared their children to the time they bury them? I can't fathom the depth and breath of this sad reality. God, please help me to understand and please help these mourning parents/families! Why, why, why, on Earth do we have violence and not peace and order all the time? Why God do you allow evil acts to occur? Why?Why we have sufferings and sacrifices?
These past days, I have been contemplating on a number of issues including gun (violence, rights, control, legislation), mental health, school safety/security, family stability/solidarity, which I'd like to tackle at in my future blog posts, as I continue to update myself on what's going on in our world by listening to Morning Edition on NPR (National Public Radio) News daily and watching TV news broadcast frequently. Frankly speaking, for the past days, my thoughts have been centered on the Connecticut school shooting on 14 December 2012 that claimed the lives of twenty 6- and 7-year old innocent school children and six adults and the mother of and the reported shooter/killer 20 year-old Adam Lanza. I can't seem to process what went wrong that the deadly school rampage happened and why? What may have contributed to this unexpected tragedy?
Recall the Colorado theater shooting, Columbine and Virgina Tech and other shootings and public massacres involving guns and other high- powered ammunition-weapons. Now, this is my take on some of the issues I mentioned above. (I'm sure, there are already debates going on elsewhere, even in blogosphere and in other social media outlets about gun violence/rights/control/legislation, etc.) Let's look at ourselves and examine the kind of family we have and what we envisioned to have. Lots of stuff to consider here: If we are accountable and responsible for our own action/s, we dare should have paid attention to our lifestyle and planned ahead as to what family we should have, i.e., number of children. What kind of children are we bringing in to this world? What are we all doing to contribute to our children's future, to a better life-world? To help solve problems of our families, community/society, world? Are we giving our kids the best education they can possible have and that we can afford to give? How's our parental involvement in the rearing and upbringing of our children? How good are we parents? What changes, if any, do we have to adapt or consider if we aspire to be good parents and role models to our children? What are our rights and responsibilities, parents and children alike? What are our responsibilities towards others, too? As a family, do we have Faith? Do we have a belief in One Supreme Being, God, Allah, or other name? Does Jesus matter to us, to our lives? Do we practice our Faith? Does prayer matter to us? If so, do we pray everyday, always? If you don't have a belief, say you're an atheist, what kind of life do you want to have and why?
As a peace-loving, law-abiding citizen of the world, I am not in favor of having a gun at home. But I do believe that we have the right to bear arms to (privately) protect ourselves. I do believe, too, that there should be a limit, a control or a ban as to what type of gun we should own to protect ourselves. Assault weapons used by the military should not be in the possessions of private citizens. And prospective gun-owners should be screened or have a thorough background check to include mental evaluations before they can purchase a gun. If we have identified kids who may be in trouble at home or in school, we should constantly monitor and/or refer them to proper specialists or authorities for further help and treatment. We should be cognizant, vigilant, tolerant, respectful, and understanding of others who are unique and/or/but different from us.
I don't like violence, per se. I want peace and order in our world. I wish for joy and contentment in life for all of us, and I believe in the sharing of everything (material, spiritual) for the good of everyone here on Earth. Thank God that I have this freedom to voice out or express, and share my thoughts and ideas to/for others.
Finding comfort and joy in Jesus is what matters to me for others these days. Comfort and strength and joy for those families of the deceased and those affected, those volunteers, and men (and women) of the Faith, like Rev. Fr. Luke Suarez and Monsignor Weiss of St. Rose Lima parish in Newton, Connecticut (who all need our prayers and words of encouragement). Yes, we're in the midst of finding comfort and joy in the Baby Jesus to be born again in/for US this Christmas. I do believe it is also the wish for others and the rest of the world, too, who are longing for peace on Earth and goodwill to all men and women. Let us pray for peace in our hearts and peace for the world as we continue to prepare ourselves for the birth of the Son of God who will dwell among us and inspire us to live a righteous life. As they say, Jesus Christ is the reason for the (Christmas) season. Hence, let us keep CHRIST this CHRISTMAS and ALWAYS! Vivat Jesus!
Well, my dear folks and friends, let's continue to pray for the victims and the families of the Connecticut school shooting. Let's pray for world peace and an end to deadly (gun) violence. Mother Mary, intercede and pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
This is all for now. Until next time around, my dear folks and friends. Take care and have a safe Thursday, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 20Dec2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Christmas Wish List
Prepare His way.
Prepare for His coming
into our hearts
this Christmas
and always.
Let hatred fade.
Let Love reign
in our hearts
this Christmas
and always.
Let war end.
Let Peace take over
in our world
this Christmas
and always.
Be the change.
Be the catalyst we need
in our world
this Christmas
and always.
Be the Hope.
Be the Joy we long for
in our life
this Christmas
and always.
-chris a. quilpa
15Dec2012
The Joyful Mysteries, in Times of a Troubled World like Ours
Good Saturday, everyone! Peace to all of you, people of goodwill! (Note: As I'm writing this blog post, I've been listening to Catholic American liturgical singer-composer John Michael Talbot's songs on YouTube. Thanks, John. And thank you, YouTube. Thank you, good and gracious God and His Begotten Son, Jesus, our Lord and Savior! Thank you all who read this post and to all (accidental) readers from countries like Russia, Poland, Germany, France, Switzerland, Canada, Qatar, Jordan, Vietnam, Pakistan, Philippines, etc. Thank you, my dear folks and friends. Happy Holidays!)
I've just finished praying my rosary along with a video on YouTube, this morning, meditating on the Joyful Mysteries which are said on Mondays and Saturdays (except during Lent), and the Sundays from Advent to Lent. They remind us of the happy times that Jesus and Mary shared together
To recall, here are the 5 Joyful Mysteries, with short, simple explanation for those of us learning and re-learning about the Holy Rosary of our Blessed Virgin Mary, our Heavenly Mother and Mother of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior:
1. The Annunciation (For the love of humility)---
Because Mary was a very special person, God sent an angel to ask her to be the Mother of Jesus. She said, "Yes," even though she was a little bit afraid. The angel told her to name the baby Jesus.
2. The Visitation (For charity toward my neighbor)---
Mary was told by the angel that her cousin, Elizabeth, was going to have a baby, too. Mary went to visit Elizabeth to help her. Elizabeth became the mother of John the Baptist, who preached about the coming of Jesus.
3. The Nativity (For the spirit of poverty)---
Jesus was born in a stable in the city of Bethlehem. When He was born, Mary and her husband Joseph were very happy and promised to take care of Him.
4. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (For the virtue of obedience)---
After He was born, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. At the Temple, they presented Jesus to God and thanked God for giving them a Son to love and cherish.
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (For the virtue of piety)---
When He was a little older, Jesus went to a service at the Temple with Mary and Joseph. After the service, He stayed to talk to the teachers. Mary and Joseph thought He was lost, and were very glad to find Him there.
I'll try my best to post the other Mysteries (Sorrowful, Glorious, Luminous) of the Holy Rosary on my future blog posts. Sounds like a good plan for me and you, my dear folks and friends. So, please, stand by...
Meanwhile, about yesterday's unforeseen and unexpected harrowing happening at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, USA, in which nearly thirty young children and adults were violently shot and massacred by a gunman, the whole nation mourned and prayed for all the victims and their families.
Personally, here's my reaction about yesterday's deadly school tragedy: When I arrived home from an unplanned, unexpected luncheon at Ruby Tuesday's with my fellow buddy and neighbor having the same (nick)name as mine, (after having my morning walk around the neighborhood), I was surprised to find out about it once I logged on to my laptop and eventually to Facebook. I was dumb-founded that I turned on to the TV in our family room. There it was...TV coverage of the massacre. Then, the brief and emotional statement or message from President Barack Obama in The White House. I was speechless! And teary-eyed, too, like the commander-in-chief! Then, I prayed silently to God, conveyed what I was doing on my Facebook friends that moment...
Anyway, this morning, after praying my rosary, and while using the restroom in our bedroom, I stumbled upon this article from The Little Blue Book's Advent and Christmas Seasons 2012-2013 (Six-minute reflections on the Sunday Gospels of Year C), from the writings of the late Bishop Ken Untener of the Diocese of Saginaw, MI. Since it's December 15 today, I thought the thoughts of the short reflective article is worth-sharing and so appropriate for the circumstances we're all experiencing at this moment. Here it is..."...and all flesh shall see the salvation of God." (Luke 3:6)
"In the face of all that I see as wrong with the world, I have two options. One option is to see all these problems as fatal. The world is doomed to be forever unjust and tragic, so I should simply do my best to get the most I can for myself out of the situation.
The other option is to see all creation as the recipient of the overwhelming power of God's compassion and transforming love. When I look at the world this way, I believe that every struggle for peace and justice, however small, ultimately has an effect, and whatever energy I spend to relieve suffering is worth the effort.
Christian faith calls me to choose the second option---to live my life in this world with Hope.
Not wishful thinking. Not pie in the sky.
Hope. The hope that is the theme of this Advent season (of preparing and waiting for His arrival, His coming into our lives once again)...a flesh-and-blood hope that never fades because "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
In light of the hope that came into the world through Jesus, the words of Isaiah take on new meaning. Let me think about those words again: "Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made a smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."
Well, my dear folks and friends, let's "Be not afraid" to follow Him for He gives us rest, strength, courage and hope, and life to overcome all the turmoils and turbulence, and vicious violence in our world. Let's be in the Light. Let's stay focused on His coming once again...
This is all for now. Thanks, everyone, for reading. Until next time around. Take care and have a blessed day and weekend, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!" May the souls of all of our faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Our Almighty Father, rest in peace. Amen. And, may the families of all the victims of the Connecticut school shooting find comfort and consolation, Light and Love. Amen.-chris a. quilpa, 15December2012
I've just finished praying my rosary along with a video on YouTube, this morning, meditating on the Joyful Mysteries which are said on Mondays and Saturdays (except during Lent), and the Sundays from Advent to Lent. They remind us of the happy times that Jesus and Mary shared together
To recall, here are the 5 Joyful Mysteries, with short, simple explanation for those of us learning and re-learning about the Holy Rosary of our Blessed Virgin Mary, our Heavenly Mother and Mother of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior:
1. The Annunciation (For the love of humility)---
Because Mary was a very special person, God sent an angel to ask her to be the Mother of Jesus. She said, "Yes," even though she was a little bit afraid. The angel told her to name the baby Jesus.
2. The Visitation (For charity toward my neighbor)---
Mary was told by the angel that her cousin, Elizabeth, was going to have a baby, too. Mary went to visit Elizabeth to help her. Elizabeth became the mother of John the Baptist, who preached about the coming of Jesus.
3. The Nativity (For the spirit of poverty)---
Jesus was born in a stable in the city of Bethlehem. When He was born, Mary and her husband Joseph were very happy and promised to take care of Him.
4. The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (For the virtue of obedience)---
After He was born, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. At the Temple, they presented Jesus to God and thanked God for giving them a Son to love and cherish.
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple (For the virtue of piety)---
When He was a little older, Jesus went to a service at the Temple with Mary and Joseph. After the service, He stayed to talk to the teachers. Mary and Joseph thought He was lost, and were very glad to find Him there.
I'll try my best to post the other Mysteries (Sorrowful, Glorious, Luminous) of the Holy Rosary on my future blog posts. Sounds like a good plan for me and you, my dear folks and friends. So, please, stand by...
Meanwhile, about yesterday's unforeseen and unexpected harrowing happening at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, USA, in which nearly thirty young children and adults were violently shot and massacred by a gunman, the whole nation mourned and prayed for all the victims and their families.
Personally, here's my reaction about yesterday's deadly school tragedy: When I arrived home from an unplanned, unexpected luncheon at Ruby Tuesday's with my fellow buddy and neighbor having the same (nick)name as mine, (after having my morning walk around the neighborhood), I was surprised to find out about it once I logged on to my laptop and eventually to Facebook. I was dumb-founded that I turned on to the TV in our family room. There it was...TV coverage of the massacre. Then, the brief and emotional statement or message from President Barack Obama in The White House. I was speechless! And teary-eyed, too, like the commander-in-chief! Then, I prayed silently to God, conveyed what I was doing on my Facebook friends that moment...
Anyway, this morning, after praying my rosary, and while using the restroom in our bedroom, I stumbled upon this article from The Little Blue Book's Advent and Christmas Seasons 2012-2013 (Six-minute reflections on the Sunday Gospels of Year C), from the writings of the late Bishop Ken Untener of the Diocese of Saginaw, MI. Since it's December 15 today, I thought the thoughts of the short reflective article is worth-sharing and so appropriate for the circumstances we're all experiencing at this moment. Here it is..."...and all flesh shall see the salvation of God." (Luke 3:6)
"In the face of all that I see as wrong with the world, I have two options. One option is to see all these problems as fatal. The world is doomed to be forever unjust and tragic, so I should simply do my best to get the most I can for myself out of the situation.
The other option is to see all creation as the recipient of the overwhelming power of God's compassion and transforming love. When I look at the world this way, I believe that every struggle for peace and justice, however small, ultimately has an effect, and whatever energy I spend to relieve suffering is worth the effort.
Christian faith calls me to choose the second option---to live my life in this world with Hope.
Not wishful thinking. Not pie in the sky.
Hope. The hope that is the theme of this Advent season (of preparing and waiting for His arrival, His coming into our lives once again)...a flesh-and-blood hope that never fades because "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
In light of the hope that came into the world through Jesus, the words of Isaiah take on new meaning. Let me think about those words again: "Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made a smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."
Well, my dear folks and friends, let's "Be not afraid" to follow Him for He gives us rest, strength, courage and hope, and life to overcome all the turmoils and turbulence, and vicious violence in our world. Let's be in the Light. Let's stay focused on His coming once again...
This is all for now. Thanks, everyone, for reading. Until next time around. Take care and have a blessed day and weekend, everyone! As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!" May the souls of all of our faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Our Almighty Father, rest in peace. Amen. And, may the families of all the victims of the Connecticut school shooting find comfort and consolation, Light and Love. Amen.-chris a. quilpa, 15December2012
Santa's Story (After 12/14/12 Connecticut School Shooting)
Santa is sad.
His heart is broken.
He is disappointed.
His gifts will be there...
But where are the children
To receive His gifts?
Where have they gone
And their dreams and wishes?
He was unsure of their gift lists.
But He knew what they wanted.
Santa is devastated.
He can't contain His grief and sorrow.
He keeps on crying and weeping.
But He saw the Light in the Sky
And He was relieved.
He thought of other children
Who are waiting for Him.
He went around the world
And continued receiving gift lists.
Santa composed Himself.
He heard other children's stories.
He was saddened but at the same time amused.
He assured the little ones
That if they continued to be good
They'll receive their gifts
On Christmas Day.
Santa is hopeful
That the days ahead will be wonderful.
He is optimistic
That when His gifts are delivered
There will be smiles and tears...
Tears of redemption.
-chris a. quilpa
15December2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
Newtown, Connecticut School Massacre
Why
it happened
this senseless killing
this tragic massacre
today, Friday, December 14th, 2012
the innocent school children and adults
at Sandy Hook Elementary School
at Sandy Hook Elementary School
in Newtown, Connecticut, USA
why
why
why
there is violence
there is turbulence
always brewing and lurking
in the minds of a few
who seemed to be
out of touch with reality?
Why
did it happen
again
but in a different place and time
an unexpected rampage
in a school
where kids play and have fun
learning everything they can
without fear of being harmed?
Why
why
why
did we not learn
something
did we not learn
something
from the past
from the history of our past?
Why
the unthinkable occurred
unexpectedly, without warning
the loss of lives
while we were caught up preparing
to celebrate and commemorate
for His coming?
Why
the violence
the turbulence
the shooting
the killing...?
Let us pray:
Mother Mary, pray for us,
console the mothers and the fathers
of the deceased and the injured;
Mother Mary, pray for us,
console the mothers and the fathers
of the deceased and the injured;
Gracious God, grant us peace
and send your Only Son again
to give us hope and life;
Jesus, gather us your flock
and lead us to Your Kingdom
where there is eternal joy and peace.
and send your Only Son again
to give us hope and life;
Jesus, gather us your flock
and lead us to Your Kingdom
where there is eternal joy and peace.
And may the souls of the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God,our Father, rest in peace.
Amen.
Amen.
-chris a. quilpa
14Dec2012
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Movies, Movies, and More Movies...
Good Saturday, everyone! How are we all doing today? Hanging in there, huh? That's good. I'm doing well, just to let you know. Thank you, good and gracious God! And thank you, Jesus!
To those of you reading my blog posts, on a daily basis, thank you for having the time and efforts. To our accidental readers from other countries such as Russia, Poland, Vietnam, Germany, Canada, Qatar, Philippines, etc., I do appreciate and thank you very much. God bless you all!
As you may have noticed, my dear folks and friends, I haven't been blogging for the past days. Well, the reality is I've been watching movies, and more movies. Yes, I've been catching up, you know. (I have bought DVDs in the past that I haven't seen or watched. They're still have their price tag on, can you believe it? Anyway, I'm planning to keep and watch some and give away the rest this Christmas. How's that, huh?) I'm thankful for having functioning eyes especially (even if I've got problems with them, especially my right eye that's tearing all the time), and the opportunity to see and have seen movies of different genres and categories. Personally, I do appreciate and thank these movie producers, directors and all the actors/artists, and production staff-personnel for all their efforts in the production of these films.
Movies, to me, are far from being entertaining. They are a powerful tool or instrument that can inform and educate us, influence our ways of thinking and living, either positively or negatively. They can also unite us or divide us. But, overall, I believe that movies are made and shown to present what we do and what we think of ourselves, and what we are capable of as human beings. There's that word creativity. And artistry in the movie industry. Amazing, and unbelievable, what we can do!
I tend to believe that movies are prophetic and timeless. As I've observed, there's always that portion of any movie that I have watched so far that applies to everyday life. Whether that movie is sci-fi (science fiction), documentary, drama, comedy, action thriller, a cartoon or animation, there's always one general theme: Life. I don't know about you, folks and friends, but I tend to believe that movies, all movies for that matter, reflect our lives...who we are, what we are, what we can be, and will be. Heard of that statement, "Art imitating life; Life imitating art?"
I know. Movie-goers or people who have just seen or watched a movie/film have always something to say about what they've seen. That's always the case, I believe. In my case, here are some of my reactions to the movies I've seen or watched for the past two days: "Funny, hilarious, sad, tragic, inspiring, controversial but real, scandalous, meaningful, entertaining, challenging, thought-provoking, thoughtful, cheerful, uplifting, witty, very educational and informative, motivational, highly-recommended to those who care about their health and well-being; violent, bloody, explosive, adventurous, compelling..."
From the movies I've watched so far, these are just my thoughts...On my composition book, I've written the following: "Limit not your possibilities ,for a better life, for possibilities are out there and limitless. Explore these possibilities and you'll be better than you think or what you have at the present moment. Cheer up and Smile! God bless you!" (29Novv2012); "Stories are wrought in wars..." (02Dec2012); "This Advent season/ we're waiting for you to come/ Jesus, our Brother." (02Dec2012); "The moon is up there/ silver-white covered with clouds/ alone in the dark." (02Dec2012); "Though it may not be spoken so often, my love for you is beyond words." (04Dec2012); "I don't like tags/ And labels.../ They're disgusting/ And demeaning..!" (06Dec2012); "Observably, we love to get sick. Why? Because we love to take drugs and medications. And we're not getting well or better...Let's stop taking drugs/medications. They're not making us well but sick!" (07Dec2012); "We need education, not medication." (07Dec2012); "Take responsibility of your life and health; you are your best doctor." (07Dec2012); "To improve your life, consider the alternatives." (07Dec2012); "Nutritional therapy is overlooked, and underrated, in our patient care, treatment, and healing. But it is as important as medicinal/pharmaceutical/drug therapy. Come to think of it."(07Dec2012); "Let's eat good, nutritious, healthy food! Let's consider fresh, clean vegetables and fruits in our diet...If we have swing moods, let's get up and grab a fruit to nibble or eat." (07Dec2012); "The more I learn, and know, the more I am puzzled/confused about life..."(07Dec2012); "You can choose what you like and love because you're free, with rights. Be responsible and deal with it."(08Dec2012)
I know what you'd like to ask me now. What are the titles of the movies I've seen or watched so far? Well, I am sorry but I can't tell you right now, my dear folks and friends. Probably next time, who knows. But as of now, let your mind work or your imagination run wild, huh? In short, you just have to figure them out (based on some of the info above), okay?
Anyway, my dear folks and friends, this is all for now. Until next time around. Take care and have a wonderful weekend. As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 08December2012
To those of you reading my blog posts, on a daily basis, thank you for having the time and efforts. To our accidental readers from other countries such as Russia, Poland, Vietnam, Germany, Canada, Qatar, Philippines, etc., I do appreciate and thank you very much. God bless you all!
As you may have noticed, my dear folks and friends, I haven't been blogging for the past days. Well, the reality is I've been watching movies, and more movies. Yes, I've been catching up, you know. (I have bought DVDs in the past that I haven't seen or watched. They're still have their price tag on, can you believe it? Anyway, I'm planning to keep and watch some and give away the rest this Christmas. How's that, huh?) I'm thankful for having functioning eyes especially (even if I've got problems with them, especially my right eye that's tearing all the time), and the opportunity to see and have seen movies of different genres and categories. Personally, I do appreciate and thank these movie producers, directors and all the actors/artists, and production staff-personnel for all their efforts in the production of these films.
Movies, to me, are far from being entertaining. They are a powerful tool or instrument that can inform and educate us, influence our ways of thinking and living, either positively or negatively. They can also unite us or divide us. But, overall, I believe that movies are made and shown to present what we do and what we think of ourselves, and what we are capable of as human beings. There's that word creativity. And artistry in the movie industry. Amazing, and unbelievable, what we can do!
I tend to believe that movies are prophetic and timeless. As I've observed, there's always that portion of any movie that I have watched so far that applies to everyday life. Whether that movie is sci-fi (science fiction), documentary, drama, comedy, action thriller, a cartoon or animation, there's always one general theme: Life. I don't know about you, folks and friends, but I tend to believe that movies, all movies for that matter, reflect our lives...who we are, what we are, what we can be, and will be. Heard of that statement, "Art imitating life; Life imitating art?"
I know. Movie-goers or people who have just seen or watched a movie/film have always something to say about what they've seen. That's always the case, I believe. In my case, here are some of my reactions to the movies I've seen or watched for the past two days: "Funny, hilarious, sad, tragic, inspiring, controversial but real, scandalous, meaningful, entertaining, challenging, thought-provoking, thoughtful, cheerful, uplifting, witty, very educational and informative, motivational, highly-recommended to those who care about their health and well-being; violent, bloody, explosive, adventurous, compelling..."
From the movies I've watched so far, these are just my thoughts...On my composition book, I've written the following: "Limit not your possibilities ,for a better life, for possibilities are out there and limitless. Explore these possibilities and you'll be better than you think or what you have at the present moment. Cheer up and Smile! God bless you!" (29Novv2012); "Stories are wrought in wars..." (02Dec2012); "This Advent season/ we're waiting for you to come/ Jesus, our Brother." (02Dec2012); "The moon is up there/ silver-white covered with clouds/ alone in the dark." (02Dec2012); "Though it may not be spoken so often, my love for you is beyond words." (04Dec2012); "I don't like tags/ And labels.../ They're disgusting/ And demeaning..!" (06Dec2012); "Observably, we love to get sick. Why? Because we love to take drugs and medications. And we're not getting well or better...Let's stop taking drugs/medications. They're not making us well but sick!" (07Dec2012); "We need education, not medication." (07Dec2012); "Take responsibility of your life and health; you are your best doctor." (07Dec2012); "To improve your life, consider the alternatives." (07Dec2012); "Nutritional therapy is overlooked, and underrated, in our patient care, treatment, and healing. But it is as important as medicinal/pharmaceutical/drug therapy. Come to think of it."(07Dec2012); "Let's eat good, nutritious, healthy food! Let's consider fresh, clean vegetables and fruits in our diet...If we have swing moods, let's get up and grab a fruit to nibble or eat." (07Dec2012); "The more I learn, and know, the more I am puzzled/confused about life..."(07Dec2012); "You can choose what you like and love because you're free, with rights. Be responsible and deal with it."(08Dec2012)
I know what you'd like to ask me now. What are the titles of the movies I've seen or watched so far? Well, I am sorry but I can't tell you right now, my dear folks and friends. Probably next time, who knows. But as of now, let your mind work or your imagination run wild, huh? In short, you just have to figure them out (based on some of the info above), okay?
Anyway, my dear folks and friends, this is all for now. Until next time around. Take care and have a wonderful weekend. As always, I pray, "May God bless us all!"-chris a. quilpa, 08December2012
Friday, November 9, 2012
Out of Curiosity
Good Friday, everyone! TGFI, yehey! Thank God. We're alive and doing well! Thank you, Jesus! Aren't we all looking forward to a wonderful weekend, guys? I bet we are. Anyway, I do hope, and pray, that you're in the pink of health. I'm good, as far as I'm concerned. Thank you.
Yes, I, along with my wife Freny, already prayed the rosary this early morning. Thank you, dear and loving God. Thank you, Jesus! Mother Mary, pray for us, always!
This morning, after having breakfast in the hotel, I posted this info on my Facebook page for our FB friends that today, Friday is my "2nd day at the VAST 2012 PDI, with Freny, in [the historic(al), Colonial] Williamsburg. And, loving and enjoying it!" After two to five minutes, a couple of our friends and relatives responded immediately by liking it (the message). And I did acknowledge and thank them, too.
Now, while I'm in the lobby at Willimsburg Hotel, writing this blog post, Freny is busy attending those sessions she chose to participate. Usually, one session lasts for an hour. And that three or four sessions are held simultaneously in different rooms. For a larger audience, session is held in an auditorium or a spacious hall. especially if the key speaker/presenter is well-known educator-professor or a distinguish scientist. Observably, we see these "casually or semi-formally-dressed" participants everywhere in the hotel's first floor socializing, while sessions are going on. Others (who were booked in other hotels somewhere here in Williamsburg) have just come in to the conference/convention hotel by groups of two to four or eight, from different school systems across the Commonwealth. Almost all of them have their conference bags and tags on around their neck, signifying or indicating that they're participants to this VAST (Virginia Association of Science Teachers) 2012 PDI (Professional Development Institute). Some of them were carrying each a cup of coffee, maybe. Nope, they're not automatons. Or robots. They're engaging, doing blah, blah, blahs..(You know what I mean!) as they enter the main entrance to the hotel. Shhh...they're actively babbling. They're as loquacious and very much opinionated as I am, I think so! (Oppppsss...just kidding!)
Yeah, you tell me, we all love to talk, at times, even at the same time! OMG! No one wants to listen, people! Yeah, that's right. Each of us can't wait to say what we want to say ASAP, for Pete's sake! There are exceptions, of course. There are a few, who probably have just woke up and are not "perked up" or "caffeinated" yet! I guess. But I don't want to judge them, for I know that if you're a teacher-educator, you're always talkative. You have to be. That's one of the requirements to be a teacher---to be effectively communicative orally or verbally, most especially. Fluency in (speaking) the instructional language is a must! Especially in the field of education, I believe. That's definitely the most important requirement to be able to teach a multi-diverse population. (Flashback: When I was younger, back in the Philippines, I was bashful, shy, that is. But I overcame my shyness and developed my confidence when I was in or got into college, and into the teaching profession. Honestly, I became bubbly verbose. But, I talk with (common) sense, don't I? With interaction from people of different cultures, and constant practice, and developed speaking skills, I gained confidence and maturity. Much more so when I joined in the U.S. Navy and eventually retired. So, my point is, our speaking skills can be learned, enhanced and developed for good use in our community or structured society.But, of course, we learned that communication involves the message, the sender or messenger and the speaker or responder, the processes of listening and speaking. It also entails the non-verbal processes, i.e, a smile, a nod, a gesture, those signs and gestures learned in public speaking and debate, you know. In a competitive, free and liberated world we live in, we can't be playing silent or dumb-mute, especially here in The Land of the Free World where almost everyone loves to talk, and only some prefer to listen.(One indication is the innumerable talk shows in the TV land and countless DJs in the airwaves! OMG, it's unbelievable!) But, of course, with a few exception/s. Those who have speech defect or disability by birth, and/or due to accidents. I've encountered one or two of them while doing substitute teaching in one of the public elementary schools in a neighboring city many years ago. (At that time, I was questioning myself about the effectiveness of teaching (on my part)-learning processes in the case of this "handicapped" child, or can I say, "mentally-challenged" kid, a child of God, nevertheless? Well, at that time, it's good that the kid had an adult assistant and personal caregiver.) This is one exception to the rule, as far as speaking or language proficiency in teaching is concerned.
Well, moving on...What came to mind this morning, since I'm surrounded by science educators around the hotel? Curiosity. Yes, the word "curiosity" which is so important and very much relevant to today's event at the conference hotel we're in. Haven't I told you that curiosity has led me to other places, like Hawaii, Hongkong, Singapore, Florence, Rome, Italy, Guam, etc. Yes, curiosity has led me to where I am now.
As far I know, I've always been a curious child. Perceptive, and presumptuous, too. My curiosity has led me to places I never imagined and dreamed of. I'm sure you've heard of this cliche or quote: Curiosity kills the cat? I don't even know what that means, figuratively. But, as I continue to live and try to enjoy life, with not-so-perfect health condition, I become more curious, anxious and aware of everyone, everything around me, sideways, both ways, up above and below, here and there, everywhere...
BTW, according to Wikipedia (a very much available/accessible reference in the Internet, notwithstanding other (more reliable?) sources out there, I think and am aware), curiosity is from the Latin curiosus, "careful, diligent, curious," akin to cura, care." It is a quality related to inquisitive thinking such as exploration, investigation, and learning, evident by observation in human and many animal species. It can be an emotion of curiosity itself that "represents a thirst for knowledge, and it's a major driving force behind scientific research and other disciplines of human study."
I am as curious as anybody else in the entire universe. Don't get me wrong, my dear folks and friends. I know what you're thinking. Why didn't you become a scientist, a doctor, maybe? Well, we all have interest, passions, vocations, or calling, in life. As we continue to encounter changes and challenges, we become more curious in and about life to the point that we change (and continue to do so) and try to adapt to changes we'made. In short, our career, profession, vocation is not fixed or permanent for as long as we live. Nothing is permanent, except God, I believe. Our calling, therefore, is a product of so many considerations. In my observation, our being, mood of doing things, thinking, all of us...we're all influenced by so many factors, out of curiosity, in life. You and I can attest to this notion, I think so.
(Note: While engrossed in my blogging, I got temporarily halted or interrupted when one of our friends and Freny's former co-teachers passed by the lobby, on her way out of the hotel, and saw me. She said, "Hi." I reciprocated, saying it with a smile, "Hi, Venecia!" She mentioned she talked to my wife a while ago in one of the sessions they both were attending. "That's good," I quipped. Freny and I have been to other professional conferences/workshops before, in other cities, with Venecia and a couple of their colleagues in the Science Department in their school. She's always that easy-going lady and jolly, you know. In fact, as I remember, she's originally from D-ville where my daughter Tintin currently works.)
My dear folks and friends, I better sign off now. Inquisitive we are, I have to do a little roaming around the hotel. You'll never know what to encounter, huh. Anyway, talk or see you later, people of goodwill. Until next time around. Take care and have a wonderful weekend, everyone! As always, may God bless us all!-chris a. quilpa, 09Nov2012.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
9/11, 11th Anniversary: A Day of Remembrance
Peace be with you all! Let's observe a moment of silence, in observance and remembrance of the tragic 9/11/01...
To all victims of the historic 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States of America, eleven years ago today, may they all rest in peace. "Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine before them." Amen.
And to all the families they left behind who suffered a terrible loss, and void in their lives, may they find comfort and strength and Love as they remember and honor today the unexpected and sudden departure and passage of their beloved loved ones.
To the rest of us around the world witnessed and learned of the attacks that has changed the course and direction of, and our views about our lives here on Earth, and the ways we interact with one another, may we all realize that Love prevails amidst all the turmoils and turbulence, and all the wars we wage in our wonderful world we live in.
May we continue to pursue and preserve peace while seeking justice and fighting against all the evils of the world. May we continue to maintain peace and order in our respective community and society as we cherish and enjoy our valued freedom and liberty to live a decent, yet productive, life with one another.
May we continue to seek solidarity and unity with all nations.
May we continue to foster friendships and brotherhood among our brothers and sisters around the globe, irrespective of their creed, culture, customs and traditions.
And may we continue to solve our problems (personal, local, national, international) with cooperation, collaboration, and coordination.
May our loving God bless us all! And may our gracious God bless the United States of America!-chris a. quilpa, 11September2012
To all victims of the historic 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States of America, eleven years ago today, may they all rest in peace. "Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine before them." Amen.
And to all the families they left behind who suffered a terrible loss, and void in their lives, may they find comfort and strength and Love as they remember and honor today the unexpected and sudden departure and passage of their beloved loved ones.
To the rest of us around the world witnessed and learned of the attacks that has changed the course and direction of, and our views about our lives here on Earth, and the ways we interact with one another, may we all realize that Love prevails amidst all the turmoils and turbulence, and all the wars we wage in our wonderful world we live in.
May we continue to pursue and preserve peace while seeking justice and fighting against all the evils of the world. May we continue to maintain peace and order in our respective community and society as we cherish and enjoy our valued freedom and liberty to live a decent, yet productive, life with one another.
May we continue to seek solidarity and unity with all nations.
May we continue to foster friendships and brotherhood among our brothers and sisters around the globe, irrespective of their creed, culture, customs and traditions.
And may we continue to solve our problems (personal, local, national, international) with cooperation, collaboration, and coordination.
May our loving God bless us all! And may our gracious God bless the United States of America!-chris a. quilpa, 11September2012
Saturday, September 1, 2012
First of 'BER Months Post, A Poem, A Package, and Photos
Happy Saturday, everyone! Ah, it's the first day of the 'BER months, I realize. That means Summer is winding down and in a few more weeks we're welcoming Fall or Autumn---cooler months ahead, I hope. (That would mean I'd be turning off our centralized A/C unit in the house to give it a break. And if it gets colder , especially on nights,as we usher in to Fall season and Winter, I'd switch on to heater.) That also means it's back to school for all public elementary and secondary students in America and elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere. (Private school students, and University students as well, have already been back to school a week or two ago.) Actually, public school teachers, like my wife, have reported 22 August 2012. But their students won't be back 'til after Labor Day, Monday, 3rd September 2012. Happy Labor Day, everyone! BTW (By the way), don't work too hard; have fun, too!
Yesterday morning, at about seven, while still in our bedroom, I don't know but I found myself scribbling some lines (in Filipino) in my Composition Book...
Dito sa America
Here's my raw English translation (today) of the above poem. I do hope I did justice in my translation (although there are translators out there who are adept and experts, well-versed, in their craft. I salute you guys!)
(NOTE: After reading a blog post, today, from one of the Catholic bloggers I read and follow, I came to know something about St. Giles, patron saint of those with physical disability. Since I mentioned something about disability in my poem above, I'd like to pray a short, simple prayer with intercession of St. Giles. St. Giles, pray for us! Amen.)
Yesterday afternoon, as my young adult daughter Tintin and I were about to go to the post office to do mails, we found a package at our front door. I already knew that it came from my sister Betty and bro-in-law Dennis in California. Tintin brought it in and I thought of just open it later and to call my sister to acknowledge and thank them both for the package when we get back home. (BTW, my wife Freny and sis-in-law Rose were out, after lunch, to take care of three things/issues to three different places: Hampton, downtown Suffolk, and Chesapeake.)
From the post office where we mailed "Thank You" cards (with some photos inside them) for our folks and relatives in California and in Washington State, we drove our way to Walgreen's where we did print photos from our camera's memory card. Tintin has her own photos to print, too. We just wanted hard copy of our pictures taken while on road trips in C-ville and Washington, DC, and our Summer 2012 Getaway/Get-Together in California, with our families, folks and friends there.
At Walgreen's, I have had nice, friendly conversations and interactions with a couple of customers, and employees at the Photo Shop like Brett, the assistant manager there. I learned from our conversation that he's been working in that company for six years and enjoying it. Though he has a master's degree in Education, with a major in Guidance Counselling, he admitted, he didn't want to "baby-sit" students in schools after his internship.
One of the customers using the other kiosk at the Photo Shop, a female, middle-aged woman, was very much engaged in our conversation, too. Especially after learning that I retired from the military, like her husband, retired from U.S. Air Force. She said she's originally from New York, of Italian descent. But now they're residing in Yorktown.
You know, my dear friends, I feel blessed each time I meet people who are, to me, easy to get along with, and that you can relate to. Unpretentious and genuine they are, they exude that kind of enthusiasm and the more you're animated dealing/conversing with them. (I realize that wherever and whoever you are, and whatever you do, it doesn't matter. As long as you share a common life story, one that is honest and truthful, you're a gift to others, and they, to you, too, I do believe.) You know, there's that feeling of momentary joy and happiness I experienced while in the course of my human interaction with others. That, to me, is something profound and inspiring. I believe, in my heart, that He's leading me be an instrument of His love and goodness. I hope to remain faithful and good, while alive. After all, I pray to our Almighty God to let me be what He wants me to be. Thank you, Jesus, for being an inspiration in life. Thank you, Lord, for all your goodness and blessings!
Well, this is all for now. Until next time around. Take care and Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! May God bless us all, always!-chris a. quilpa, 01September2012
Yesterday morning, at about seven, while still in our bedroom, I don't know but I found myself scribbling some lines (in Filipino) in my Composition Book...
Parehas Lang Tayo
Kinakain ko
ang kinakain mo
parehas lang tayo
na may utak at puso.
Dito sa America
kung matiyaga ka
mabubuhay ka
magtatagumpay ka
dahil malaya ka
kahit may kapinsanan ka.
Itong kalayaan sa America
nagbibigay buhay, pag-asa, at sigla
inspirasyon sa lahat ng madla
sa buong mundo na may tiwala.
Hinihinga mo
hinihinga ko
pantay-pantay lang tayo
nilikha ng Apo.
(c)2012 by chris a. quilpa
Here's my raw English translation (today) of the above poem. I do hope I did justice in my translation (although there are translators out there who are adept and experts, well-versed, in their craft. I salute you guys!)
We're Just Equal and the Same
I am eating/enjoying
what you eat/enjoy
we're just equal and the same
with mind and heart.
Here in America
if you're persevering
you live and survive
because you are free
even if you have disability.
This freedom-liberty in America
gives life and hope and strength
inspiration to many people
and all parts of the world that trust.
What you're breathing/enjoying
I breathe/enjoy
we're just equal and the same
creations of God.
(c)2012 by crhis a. quilpa
(NOTE: After reading a blog post, today, from one of the Catholic bloggers I read and follow, I came to know something about St. Giles, patron saint of those with physical disability. Since I mentioned something about disability in my poem above, I'd like to pray a short, simple prayer with intercession of St. Giles. St. Giles, pray for us! Amen.)
Yesterday afternoon, as my young adult daughter Tintin and I were about to go to the post office to do mails, we found a package at our front door. I already knew that it came from my sister Betty and bro-in-law Dennis in California. Tintin brought it in and I thought of just open it later and to call my sister to acknowledge and thank them both for the package when we get back home. (BTW, my wife Freny and sis-in-law Rose were out, after lunch, to take care of three things/issues to three different places: Hampton, downtown Suffolk, and Chesapeake.)
From the post office where we mailed "Thank You" cards (with some photos inside them) for our folks and relatives in California and in Washington State, we drove our way to Walgreen's where we did print photos from our camera's memory card. Tintin has her own photos to print, too. We just wanted hard copy of our pictures taken while on road trips in C-ville and Washington, DC, and our Summer 2012 Getaway/Get-Together in California, with our families, folks and friends there.
At Walgreen's, I have had nice, friendly conversations and interactions with a couple of customers, and employees at the Photo Shop like Brett, the assistant manager there. I learned from our conversation that he's been working in that company for six years and enjoying it. Though he has a master's degree in Education, with a major in Guidance Counselling, he admitted, he didn't want to "baby-sit" students in schools after his internship.
One of the customers using the other kiosk at the Photo Shop, a female, middle-aged woman, was very much engaged in our conversation, too. Especially after learning that I retired from the military, like her husband, retired from U.S. Air Force. She said she's originally from New York, of Italian descent. But now they're residing in Yorktown.
You know, my dear friends, I feel blessed each time I meet people who are, to me, easy to get along with, and that you can relate to. Unpretentious and genuine they are, they exude that kind of enthusiasm and the more you're animated dealing/conversing with them. (I realize that wherever and whoever you are, and whatever you do, it doesn't matter. As long as you share a common life story, one that is honest and truthful, you're a gift to others, and they, to you, too, I do believe.) You know, there's that feeling of momentary joy and happiness I experienced while in the course of my human interaction with others. That, to me, is something profound and inspiring. I believe, in my heart, that He's leading me be an instrument of His love and goodness. I hope to remain faithful and good, while alive. After all, I pray to our Almighty God to let me be what He wants me to be. Thank you, Jesus, for being an inspiration in life. Thank you, Lord, for all your goodness and blessings!
Well, this is all for now. Until next time around. Take care and Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! May God bless us all, always!-chris a. quilpa, 01September2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
When A 'Loved One Passes Away: A Personal Perspective or Reflection
Aha, August is here! And before we know it, we'll be ushering in and welcoming the "-ber" months, starting next month, September. So what would this mean, you ask? Well, for all we know, my friends, summer 2012 will be over. And that means, too, that the regular school activities, academically and athletically, will start again for our dear students and dedicated, indefatigable teachers-educators. But, for now, let us all enjoy, while we can, our summer vacation. Shall we, folks? Good. Thanks to God, we're doing good.
I don't know why I have this topic to talk about. But please allow me to explain. Thank you, dear friends and readers of my blog post.
This morning, while I was sharing to my Facebook friends a blog post entitled Two Poems I've just written (maybe an hour or two ago) this Wednesday morning, I was saddened to learn about the unexpected passing of the Dads of two of my FB friends, 'pare Romy from Washington State and Michelle from Canada. As soon I read their announcement/s and/or message/s on FB, I immediately sent them each our terse message or prayers of condolence or sympathy..."With the passing of your 'loved Dad, may you and your family find courage, comfort, and strength...May he rest in peace. Amen."
You know, friends, each time I hear about sudden, unexpected departure of a loved one, I can't help but "feel" and understand what these friends of mine must be feeling for the loss of their fathers. Call it sympathy or empathy, I understand what they have been going through. You know why? I don't have parents anymore. They're gone. But they remain alive in my memory. Forever, for as long as I'm alive, sane and still sensible.
Nostalgia-wise, my beloved Mom Rosalia passed away unexpectedly, in another city, miles and miles away from my hometown. My Dad, Martin David, was with him supposedly to extend help and assistance to my pregnant older sister who was close to her delivery time. The year was 1977; that's also the year I graduated from college and my first time to teach professionally in a Catholic high school, away from home. (I rented one of the rooms of the Salgado's house near the school. I just went home on weekends and would be back to my boarding house Sunday afternoon.) It was July, and we're busy with school. (School in the Philippines starts June and ends March or first week of April, each year. ) Unexpectedly, my brother-in-law showed up in my classroom and told me the news. I only knew at that time that my Mom was in the hospital fighting for her life. (I don't know if my brother-in-law was telling me the truth or he didn't want me to know that my Mom was already dead cold, helpless and hapless.) I was devastated. I left my students to our kind and understanding Sister principal who granted me emergency leave. Arriving at the city hospital with my brother-in-law, after two or three hours on the road by a passenger bus, I knew then that my Mom didn't make it. I still vividly remember, it was raining cats and dogs on the long road or highway, when we brought home Mom's. Same year when my eldest sister passed away earlier, in January. It was the same year 1977 when my Dad's oldest brother, Uncle Simpi, died in December.
Imagine, you know, three members of my family were gone on the same year! How unlucky/unfortunate we were? That year, those incidents made me realize that wherever and whoever you are, when the time comes for you to expire, that's it. That made me understand our frailties and vulnerabilities, our short, fleeting corporeal life we have here on earth. That for as long as we're alive, our mortality is inevitable when it's time to go. One thing also that reaffirms or strengthens my view about life-death is that notion that I learned from/with the Focolare Movement, especially when I went to Rome, Italy, in 1980. This view or dogma or belief in the Now or living the present moment well (with all that you can), without reservation is something that I have been trying to practice or to live with and won't forget. Now, the present moment, is the one thing that matters, the most important thing that counts in my life. Yes, the present moment of my existence. That's what matters to me. We all know that the past is past. It's gone and we can't undo what happened in the past. As they say, yesterday is gone. We can't recreate what happened in its originality. We can't copy or duplicate the past. We can only learn and remember from it, I believe. That's the reality. That's one of the truths, for me. Yes, we have one life to live. So we have to live it now, the present moment.
Now, as I recall, after staying/living with us, here in the States for less than a decade, our Dad left us after having decided to go back home to the Philippines to enjoy the remaining of his life and eventually or ultimately die. (Already in the Service that time, I was the one who accompanied him in going home when he was still kinda well, but not as healthy as before when he was in the States for the first time in 1977.) He was, at that time, under the care and responsibility of my older sisters, whom we entrusted the responsibility. That is, after a couple of years when he left the States for home, to be with my Mom together forever in another life-world. Representing my siblings from here in the States, my youngest brother and I buried our loving Dad "David" with a couple of my older sisters left behind with their respective families, other relatives and friends, in the Philippines.
You see, friends, how difficult it is or not that easy for me to deal with losses, especially when we're talking or dealing with immediate next of kin or members of the family. Emotionally, it's hard, but as I go on living I learn or have learned to come to grips with my life and mortality. That I leave it to our Almighty God my life now and beyond. After all, whether we like it or not, we'll one day fade away from the maddening crowd, that's the world, and face our ultimate destiny/eternity---to hopefully be reunited with our beloved dead loved ones, with our Almighty Lord, forever. That's what I think and believe now.
When a 'loved one passed away, we react to it or take it differently. How do we manage it is a matter of personal preference and belief. (I know, we have all sorts of thoughts and views. One example, probably, would be this: Too bad/sad, I wasn't able to say "Thank you," "how much I care about you," "how much I love you." Or, we ponder: "I should have given her/him a call, or written/sent her/him a letter or a simple note or a message of thanks and hope." Another one, like this: "how I wished I could have visited her/him;" "why did I not have hugged/kissed her/him, "I didn't have the time to call her/him and tell her/him." I know, didn't we have regrets for not doing something for our 'loved one before s/he's gone in our sight? Yes, we have regrets and last minute thoughts as to why we didn't let her/him know s/he matters in our life.) But, overall, our humanity reigns supreme because we're all part of the one human family. My view is that we experience the same feeling and disposition when a 'loved one dies. To me, the only difference lies in the depth and intensity of your relationship to our beloved dead when s/he was still alive. What we can do is offer a short, simple prayer "May the soul of the departed rest in peace." Amen.
Well, folks, I don't intend to change your views for you have your own. As they say, we can agree to disagree. I hope i made sense here with my post. If not, in your standards, I remain respectful of you and your views. As I've been doing, I just wanted to share with you my piece of mind, now and not later. Until next time around. Take care and Have a nice day, everyone!-chris a. quilpa, 01 August 2012
I don't know why I have this topic to talk about. But please allow me to explain. Thank you, dear friends and readers of my blog post.
This morning, while I was sharing to my Facebook friends a blog post entitled Two Poems I've just written (maybe an hour or two ago) this Wednesday morning, I was saddened to learn about the unexpected passing of the Dads of two of my FB friends, 'pare Romy from Washington State and Michelle from Canada. As soon I read their announcement/s and/or message/s on FB, I immediately sent them each our terse message or prayers of condolence or sympathy..."With the passing of your 'loved Dad, may you and your family find courage, comfort, and strength...May he rest in peace. Amen."
You know, friends, each time I hear about sudden, unexpected departure of a loved one, I can't help but "feel" and understand what these friends of mine must be feeling for the loss of their fathers. Call it sympathy or empathy, I understand what they have been going through. You know why? I don't have parents anymore. They're gone. But they remain alive in my memory. Forever, for as long as I'm alive, sane and still sensible.
Nostalgia-wise, my beloved Mom Rosalia passed away unexpectedly, in another city, miles and miles away from my hometown. My Dad, Martin David, was with him supposedly to extend help and assistance to my pregnant older sister who was close to her delivery time. The year was 1977; that's also the year I graduated from college and my first time to teach professionally in a Catholic high school, away from home. (I rented one of the rooms of the Salgado's house near the school. I just went home on weekends and would be back to my boarding house Sunday afternoon.) It was July, and we're busy with school. (School in the Philippines starts June and ends March or first week of April, each year. ) Unexpectedly, my brother-in-law showed up in my classroom and told me the news. I only knew at that time that my Mom was in the hospital fighting for her life. (I don't know if my brother-in-law was telling me the truth or he didn't want me to know that my Mom was already dead cold, helpless and hapless.) I was devastated. I left my students to our kind and understanding Sister principal who granted me emergency leave. Arriving at the city hospital with my brother-in-law, after two or three hours on the road by a passenger bus, I knew then that my Mom didn't make it. I still vividly remember, it was raining cats and dogs on the long road or highway, when we brought home Mom's. Same year when my eldest sister passed away earlier, in January. It was the same year 1977 when my Dad's oldest brother, Uncle Simpi, died in December.
Imagine, you know, three members of my family were gone on the same year! How unlucky/unfortunate we were? That year, those incidents made me realize that wherever and whoever you are, when the time comes for you to expire, that's it. That made me understand our frailties and vulnerabilities, our short, fleeting corporeal life we have here on earth. That for as long as we're alive, our mortality is inevitable when it's time to go. One thing also that reaffirms or strengthens my view about life-death is that notion that I learned from/with the Focolare Movement, especially when I went to Rome, Italy, in 1980. This view or dogma or belief in the Now or living the present moment well (with all that you can), without reservation is something that I have been trying to practice or to live with and won't forget. Now, the present moment, is the one thing that matters, the most important thing that counts in my life. Yes, the present moment of my existence. That's what matters to me. We all know that the past is past. It's gone and we can't undo what happened in the past. As they say, yesterday is gone. We can't recreate what happened in its originality. We can't copy or duplicate the past. We can only learn and remember from it, I believe. That's the reality. That's one of the truths, for me. Yes, we have one life to live. So we have to live it now, the present moment.
Now, as I recall, after staying/living with us, here in the States for less than a decade, our Dad left us after having decided to go back home to the Philippines to enjoy the remaining of his life and eventually or ultimately die. (Already in the Service that time, I was the one who accompanied him in going home when he was still kinda well, but not as healthy as before when he was in the States for the first time in 1977.) He was, at that time, under the care and responsibility of my older sisters, whom we entrusted the responsibility. That is, after a couple of years when he left the States for home, to be with my Mom together forever in another life-world. Representing my siblings from here in the States, my youngest brother and I buried our loving Dad "David" with a couple of my older sisters left behind with their respective families, other relatives and friends, in the Philippines.
You see, friends, how difficult it is or not that easy for me to deal with losses, especially when we're talking or dealing with immediate next of kin or members of the family. Emotionally, it's hard, but as I go on living I learn or have learned to come to grips with my life and mortality. That I leave it to our Almighty God my life now and beyond. After all, whether we like it or not, we'll one day fade away from the maddening crowd, that's the world, and face our ultimate destiny/eternity---to hopefully be reunited with our beloved dead loved ones, with our Almighty Lord, forever. That's what I think and believe now.
When a 'loved one passed away, we react to it or take it differently. How do we manage it is a matter of personal preference and belief. (I know, we have all sorts of thoughts and views. One example, probably, would be this: Too bad/sad, I wasn't able to say "Thank you," "how much I care about you," "how much I love you." Or, we ponder: "I should have given her/him a call, or written/sent her/him a letter or a simple note or a message of thanks and hope." Another one, like this: "how I wished I could have visited her/him;" "why did I not have hugged/kissed her/him, "I didn't have the time to call her/him and tell her/him." I know, didn't we have regrets for not doing something for our 'loved one before s/he's gone in our sight? Yes, we have regrets and last minute thoughts as to why we didn't let her/him know s/he matters in our life.) But, overall, our humanity reigns supreme because we're all part of the one human family. My view is that we experience the same feeling and disposition when a 'loved one dies. To me, the only difference lies in the depth and intensity of your relationship to our beloved dead when s/he was still alive. What we can do is offer a short, simple prayer "May the soul of the departed rest in peace." Amen.
Well, folks, I don't intend to change your views for you have your own. As they say, we can agree to disagree. I hope i made sense here with my post. If not, in your standards, I remain respectful of you and your views. As I've been doing, I just wanted to share with you my piece of mind, now and not later. Until next time around. Take care and Have a nice day, everyone!-chris a. quilpa, 01 August 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Summer Musings
So much are going on in our world. The changing of season is one---from winter to spring to summer to fall, and the cycle repeats again, and again, ad infinitum. The changing of weather is another---from sunny to rainy to snowy to hot and humid, to freezing cold, to mild and beautiful, to stormy to calm, to normal. The changing of leaders, political and religious, in different countries and nations---from idealistic to humanistic to socialistic to autocratic to communistic to democratic to conservative to liberal---that's inevitable when we want to change the course of event/s going on in our world.
I don't know, but the more I go on trying to live and enjoy living, the more I get perplexed and confused about life and what's going on in the world. I don't know if I make sense here because I thought I'm matured enough to know what's going on in our world. But the fact of the matter is, for as long as I'm alive, there's much more to know, to learn to make life worth-living, more enjoyable, especially now that I've been retired from working profitably. (My "early" retirement wasn't anticipated. Yes, I never thought I would retire that early. But, because of medical reasons, I have no choice but to give in to a life of retirement, permanently.)
As I continue living, I've managed to let go of things that don't contribute to a quality of life I want or wish to have. I can remain idle and loafing the whole day, if I want. Day after day, I make sure that I do what makes me feel good and comfortable without violating any law of the land and others' rights. I don't want to be a burden to others, much as I want to be independent. And free. With my case, as a retired person with physical disability, I just want to live life simply, and stress-free as much as possible. With my faith in our Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, and His Only Son, Jesus Christ, I try to continue living, to do His will, and enjoy life with people around me, while I can.
Yes, there are lots of changes in life. I have no alternative but to accept them if I want to continue living, and trying to enjoy life. News around the world are updated each moment of every occurrence that happens. Change changes changes...Life is evolving, transforming, each cycle, each season. There are inevitable passages. We're present today, gone tomorrow. That's something that is beyond our control. Thanks to God that I have this life that I've never dreamed of---a life that is meant to be mine, alone, with my Creator. It's a life that only me can live with, but can share with others, despite its simplicity and complexity.
Life, though it's a mystery, is a journey. It is a never-ending battle, struggle, towards perfection. It's what we make it, as they say. What else can I say but live it to the best we can. Like time, life is fleeting. You're here now; you're gone tomorrow. That's it.
Well, folks, let's try to enjoy life while we can. We know that we've got only one life to live. Therefore, live life well, each moment, each day, as if it's your last. Thank you, dear folks. May God bless us always! Have fun and a safe summer, everyone! And, Happy Fourth of July!-chris a. quilpa, 03July2012
I don't know, but the more I go on trying to live and enjoy living, the more I get perplexed and confused about life and what's going on in the world. I don't know if I make sense here because I thought I'm matured enough to know what's going on in our world. But the fact of the matter is, for as long as I'm alive, there's much more to know, to learn to make life worth-living, more enjoyable, especially now that I've been retired from working profitably. (My "early" retirement wasn't anticipated. Yes, I never thought I would retire that early. But, because of medical reasons, I have no choice but to give in to a life of retirement, permanently.)
As I continue living, I've managed to let go of things that don't contribute to a quality of life I want or wish to have. I can remain idle and loafing the whole day, if I want. Day after day, I make sure that I do what makes me feel good and comfortable without violating any law of the land and others' rights. I don't want to be a burden to others, much as I want to be independent. And free. With my case, as a retired person with physical disability, I just want to live life simply, and stress-free as much as possible. With my faith in our Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, and His Only Son, Jesus Christ, I try to continue living, to do His will, and enjoy life with people around me, while I can.
Yes, there are lots of changes in life. I have no alternative but to accept them if I want to continue living, and trying to enjoy life. News around the world are updated each moment of every occurrence that happens. Change changes changes...Life is evolving, transforming, each cycle, each season. There are inevitable passages. We're present today, gone tomorrow. That's something that is beyond our control. Thanks to God that I have this life that I've never dreamed of---a life that is meant to be mine, alone, with my Creator. It's a life that only me can live with, but can share with others, despite its simplicity and complexity.
Life, though it's a mystery, is a journey. It is a never-ending battle, struggle, towards perfection. It's what we make it, as they say. What else can I say but live it to the best we can. Like time, life is fleeting. You're here now; you're gone tomorrow. That's it.
Well, folks, let's try to enjoy life while we can. We know that we've got only one life to live. Therefore, live life well, each moment, each day, as if it's your last. Thank you, dear folks. May God bless us always! Have fun and a safe summer, everyone! And, Happy Fourth of July!-chris a. quilpa, 03July2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Tuesday Reflections
Lots of things and happenings going on in our world, as usual. Our Roman Catholic Supreme Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI, has left Mexico and is now in Cuba. (May God bless him and his entourage! And all the people and pilgrims there in Cuba, and in Mexico. God bless us all!) The U.S. Supreme Court Justices have started hearing, arguing, debating since yesterday about the legality or constitutionality of the universal Health Care Law for all Americans (a.k.a. "Obamacare"). There's this ongoing investigation about the alleged killing of a 17-year old Trayvon Martin by a reported Neighborhood Watch volunteer George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida. Yes, there are lots of news, and more news, here and there, everywhere around the globe. Lots of information we hear or read, receive, or ignore. And, lots of stuff to do, but can't do them all because of varied (and valid) reasons. Anyway, what is important is that we try to do what is pleasing to God. To try to do His will, not ours. Let's not get distracted in our Lenten journey through Easter, shall we? Stay focused, they say. And, we do our best.
Thank you, Lord, for all the (good and unpleasant) things going on around me. Thank you, God, for letting us do good for ourselves and for others. Thank you, Jesus, for inspiring us to sacrifice, and to accept pain and suffering as part of life. And, thank you, Almighty God, for our faith, family and friends.
Until next time around, friends. Thanks for your time. Take care. Have a wonderful Tuesday, everyone!-chris a. quilpa, 27March2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Several Ways to Observe Lent
It's never too late to observe Lent, as one Catholic priest/blogger opines lately in his latest blog post. (I'm one of the many who's following his blog, almost daily.) I agree with him. If we didn't have a good start, start all over for a better result, this time. If, along the way, we stumbled and fell, let's get up and start walking again! It's just like the old adage If at first you don't succeed, try again. Yes, folks, let's not give up hope immediately. Let's try and try until we're out of breath.
Lent is the opportune time, for us, to reflect on what matters most to us. We're aware that we're surrounded with material things, as part of our life. We're aware, too, that we have others out there who are deprived of the things we enjoy. What do we do as part and parcel of the human family? Don't we have a responsibility toward ourselves and others? Being good and kind to ourselves and others, sharing to and giving up something of what we have for others, and praying for others, the world---these are ways to jumpstart, or restart, observing our Lent.
We have physical, mental, social, spiritual life. We age; we grow old. We change. Eventually, we die, literally and figuratively. Such activity, or process, is inevitable and inescapable. It's a fact that we have a physical life span here on earth. But, as Catholics and Christians, we believe in dying and resurrection, and life everlasting with our Creator, Almighty God.
As long as we have hope, faith, and charity in our hearts, we're doing well in life. With our good and gracious and loving God with us, we're saved from damnation. We have a place in His Kingdom, we believe.
As always, thanks YouTube, and the video uploaders. Thanks Google and Blogger. Thanks to all who do good for others. Thanks to God! And, thank you, Jesus, for saving us and inspiring us to live a life of faith!
This is all for now, folks. I do hope and pray that you're doing well so far. Until next time around. Thanks for your time. Have a nice day, everyone!-chris a. quilpa, 13March2012
Lent is the opportune time, for us, to reflect on what matters most to us. We're aware that we're surrounded with material things, as part of our life. We're aware, too, that we have others out there who are deprived of the things we enjoy. What do we do as part and parcel of the human family? Don't we have a responsibility toward ourselves and others? Being good and kind to ourselves and others, sharing to and giving up something of what we have for others, and praying for others, the world---these are ways to jumpstart, or restart, observing our Lent.
We have physical, mental, social, spiritual life. We age; we grow old. We change. Eventually, we die, literally and figuratively. Such activity, or process, is inevitable and inescapable. It's a fact that we have a physical life span here on earth. But, as Catholics and Christians, we believe in dying and resurrection, and life everlasting with our Creator, Almighty God.
As always, thanks YouTube, and the video uploaders. Thanks Google and Blogger. Thanks to all who do good for others. Thanks to God! And, thank you, Jesus, for saving us and inspiring us to live a life of faith!
This is all for now, folks. I do hope and pray that you're doing well so far. Until next time around. Thanks for your time. Have a nice day, everyone!-chris a. quilpa, 13March2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
My Up & Down Moments Today: My Bearable Cross
Hello, everyone! How's life treating you nowadays? How's the weather in your area? Over here in 757, it's a "shady", rainy Friday, my friends! Yes, we have lingering showers over here. I consider that a blessing, still. (I've kept on using "shady" when I mean it's "gray" or kinda "gloomy".) But, that's alright. Once in a while the sun has to hide from us. It's just a way of telling us not to always expect a bright day in our life.
In life, we've learned that we have sunny days. We have rainy days. We have calm days; we have windy, rough days. It's not always smooth sailing in life, at times. That's life. And, it's just up to us, folks, how we deal with it. As we keep on living, we learn to adjust to all situations that take place in our life, right? That's very true. It's really up to us what kind of day we can have, even if the weather outside is uncomfortable or pleasant in our sight.
This early morning, I have experienced my "cross." Where, why, how come? Let me explain. As a retired person, I don't usually wake up early. I'm not used to since I retired from working. But, this morning, I have to rise up early because I accompanied (or gave a lift to) our young adult daughter (still on "early" Spring break from college, I mentioned this in my previous blog post. Thank you, if you're following mine.) to her follow up appointment in the hospital at 8:00 o'clock. The fact is, I've been going back and forth to clinic/hospital the previous days, accompanying our daughter in her periodic appointment, i.e. dental, medical, annual physical check up. It's timely that she's on spring break so she's time to take care of these things.
Thanks to God that, despite the rainy condition over here, we didn't encounter that heavy traffic on freeways, as it used to be, especially in the morning rush. And thanks to God that I found a parking spot quickly at the groundComfy with my black raincoat (mind you, it still fit me, this U.S. Navy-issued gear that I have for almost 27 years!), with my Wrangler blue jeans and Navy blue round neck long-sleeve cotton shirt, I breezed through the catwalk that connects the parking garage to the second floor of the hospital. And, thanks to God that I found a parking spot quickly at the hospital's parking garage.
Upon arrival at the clinic (in the hospital) where my wife and I, and our daughter are usually seen (she's still considered or qualified as my "dependent" because she's still in school, eventhough she's a young adult already), I happened to see one of our "friends" who works in the Commissary. I told or let my daughter to join the outpatients falling in line to check in while I did engage a small conversation with this middle-aged female friend of ours, married to a Caucasian retired U.S. serviceman. (I didn't see or haven't met her husband, though.) I learned from her that she has had an abdominal surgery a week ago and that's probably she's there for a follow up. She mentioned she was recommended not to work for a couple of weeks or a month. I told her to take it easy and to really have time for herself, to take care of herself and not just work and work. (I know that she's trying her best to work and earn or save money so she can share or help out her family back home in the Philippines.) I told her to take it easy as I found my way to the waiting area or lobby of that clinic. In a few minutes, my daughter was called in. I just lounged there in the waiting area where there were three or four outpatients waiting for their turn to be called.
As soon as I got settled, I started to pray my rosary, while the TV set, mounted on the wall, was on to CNN. I tried to stay focused on what I was doing, praying silently/quietly, despite an environment that has some distractions. But my attention was then shifted to this baby who was being carried by his mom and being with his grandpa. The baby and I made connections because he was smiling at me a couple of times! That moment to me was wonderful. (Thanks to God that I brought with me my camera. Unbeknownst to his family, I took a couple of shots of that moment when the baby was making connections to his grandpa and one with his grandma. Such a poignant moment. So candid and wonderful those fleeting moments! I'll see if I can upload them and/or embed them with this blog post.)
I was on my fifth Sorrowful mystery, which is the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, when my daughter was done with her follow up appointment. I asked her how did it go and she started telling me about the results of her blood tests. She told me she's got a little high cholesterol as she showed me her lab results. Likewise, she mentioned about low thyroid thing and that her female provider, a nurse practitioner, wants to follow up with her thyroid. In the course of our short conversation, I noticed my daughter to be irritated and kinda rude the way she answered me or talked to me and I felt hurt at that moment. OMG! So this is how kids nowadays are! They're inconsiderate and they don't seem to know or realize that the way they talk or respond to question can sometimes hurt feelings. Sometimes, I'd rather be quiet and still. But, the fact of the matter is, they still "bother" me---my immediate family members. They can't leave me alone, in peace. And yet, when I opine or share my views, they react negatively. They seem to conspire as if I'm the bad or fall guy. So, I feel dejected, that I don't matter, as if I'm the underdog. That's when I feel hurt deep down inside. That's when I feel frustrated, too. That's when I self-introspect, asking myself what/where did I do/go wrong? As a parent, trying to be a good one, to please everyone, I feel, at times, taken for granted, that I don't matter. (Who wouldn't be, if it's obvious that my wife, their mom, always seems to tolerate them---our two young adult children to not grow in responsibility! It's hard to deal, at times, when they, all of them, don't want to take or are not having responsibility in life, even if I let them experience to do things on their own, i.e., cleaning their respective rooms, getting involved in preparing food, washing their dishes, laundry, such that they should learn to be responsible and not to be depending always on me or others. That's why, at times, I just let go of things. It's not worth preaching responsibility. They will learn on their own as they go on living their life. I. for one, don't want to spoil a child, because I learned life the hard way. I hate to tell you this but I learned to be responsible at a younger age. I was a self-supporting student when I started school. I know, I live in a different world far from where I learned responsibility at a younger age. And I'm proud of who and what I became and attained. Good morning myself, but I have to be frank, folks, out of eleven children in my family, I was the very first one to finish college. Even though we lived through hand and moth existence, I was able to earn a college degree. And, I'm proud of that. But, children nowadays, especially those who've never experienced hardships and sacrifices in their life, don't know fully well what life is, on a global scope. Yes, they still have to live it and experience it in various ways. I know and am very much aware of my strengths and limitations. I know there are lots more to learn while I am still alive. But, at the same time, I do believe that experience is the best teacher in life.)
That very moment, my good and pleasant feeling, a while ago, was changed to feeling down as if today I have my "cross"---something that I have to bear temporarily! (That moment, I just tried to contain myself, to control myself from freaking out or getting upset or angry. I was telling myself, this is how kids nowadays treat their parents, as if their co-equal, that they become disrespectful and insensitive. I can't help it, at times, to be feeling down when I noticed or felt like being taken for granted. I feel that I deserve to be treated with respect. Despite having physical "disability", I still try to be helpful and to be good to others, my family included. Even if I wanted to be left alone, I still have myself ready to get involved with other aspects of my family life because, I know, that my immediate family members, still need me, to help them out financially in their undertakings, i.e., education, livelihood, etc. Being independent, most of the time, God knows, there have been moments when I want to be left alone such that I don't want to mind others' business just like I don't want others to mind mine. There's obviously this personal relationships dilemma in our family, especially involving kids, in-laws, etc. It's hard, at times, to deal with these issues.) Ah, life is! So simple yet complicated, at times! Especially when you're married for a long time!)
There, folks, was my moment of encountering my "cross" today. But, I can adjust and adapt to such situations. As I have said, it's up to me to make my day sunny and bright or rainy and sad and down. I thank God for having given me the opportunity to share His Son's suffering on the cross today. After all, life is still wonderful, as I remember that very moment at the clinic with that smiling baby. Yes, I encountered Jesus today. Thanks to God!
Well, my friends, this is all for now. Thanks for sharing your time with me. Until next time around! Have a wonderful Friday, everyone! TGIF! Thanks to God, It's Friday! Have a blessed weekend, too! Take care now.-chris a. quilpa, 09March2012
In life, we've learned that we have sunny days. We have rainy days. We have calm days; we have windy, rough days. It's not always smooth sailing in life, at times. That's life. And, it's just up to us, folks, how we deal with it. As we keep on living, we learn to adjust to all situations that take place in our life, right? That's very true. It's really up to us what kind of day we can have, even if the weather outside is uncomfortable or pleasant in our sight.
This early morning, I have experienced my "cross." Where, why, how come? Let me explain. As a retired person, I don't usually wake up early. I'm not used to since I retired from working. But, this morning, I have to rise up early because I accompanied (or gave a lift to) our young adult daughter (still on "early" Spring break from college, I mentioned this in my previous blog post. Thank you, if you're following mine.) to her follow up appointment in the hospital at 8:00 o'clock. The fact is, I've been going back and forth to clinic/hospital the previous days, accompanying our daughter in her periodic appointment, i.e. dental, medical, annual physical check up. It's timely that she's on spring break so she's time to take care of these things.
Thanks to God that, despite the rainy condition over here, we didn't encounter that heavy traffic on freeways, as it used to be, especially in the morning rush. And thanks to God that I found a parking spot quickly at the groundComfy with my black raincoat (mind you, it still fit me, this U.S. Navy-issued gear that I have for almost 27 years!), with my Wrangler blue jeans and Navy blue round neck long-sleeve cotton shirt, I breezed through the catwalk that connects the parking garage to the second floor of the hospital. And, thanks to God that I found a parking spot quickly at the hospital's parking garage.
Upon arrival at the clinic (in the hospital) where my wife and I, and our daughter are usually seen (she's still considered or qualified as my "dependent" because she's still in school, eventhough she's a young adult already), I happened to see one of our "friends" who works in the Commissary. I told or let my daughter to join the outpatients falling in line to check in while I did engage a small conversation with this middle-aged female friend of ours, married to a Caucasian retired U.S. serviceman. (I didn't see or haven't met her husband, though.) I learned from her that she has had an abdominal surgery a week ago and that's probably she's there for a follow up. She mentioned she was recommended not to work for a couple of weeks or a month. I told her to take it easy and to really have time for herself, to take care of herself and not just work and work. (I know that she's trying her best to work and earn or save money so she can share or help out her family back home in the Philippines.) I told her to take it easy as I found my way to the waiting area or lobby of that clinic. In a few minutes, my daughter was called in. I just lounged there in the waiting area where there were three or four outpatients waiting for their turn to be called.
As soon as I got settled, I started to pray my rosary, while the TV set, mounted on the wall, was on to CNN. I tried to stay focused on what I was doing, praying silently/quietly, despite an environment that has some distractions. But my attention was then shifted to this baby who was being carried by his mom and being with his grandpa. The baby and I made connections because he was smiling at me a couple of times! That moment to me was wonderful. (Thanks to God that I brought with me my camera. Unbeknownst to his family, I took a couple of shots of that moment when the baby was making connections to his grandpa and one with his grandma. Such a poignant moment. So candid and wonderful those fleeting moments! I'll see if I can upload them and/or embed them with this blog post.)
I was on my fifth Sorrowful mystery, which is the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, when my daughter was done with her follow up appointment. I asked her how did it go and she started telling me about the results of her blood tests. She told me she's got a little high cholesterol as she showed me her lab results. Likewise, she mentioned about low thyroid thing and that her female provider, a nurse practitioner, wants to follow up with her thyroid. In the course of our short conversation, I noticed my daughter to be irritated and kinda rude the way she answered me or talked to me and I felt hurt at that moment. OMG! So this is how kids nowadays are! They're inconsiderate and they don't seem to know or realize that the way they talk or respond to question can sometimes hurt feelings. Sometimes, I'd rather be quiet and still. But, the fact of the matter is, they still "bother" me---my immediate family members. They can't leave me alone, in peace. And yet, when I opine or share my views, they react negatively. They seem to conspire as if I'm the bad or fall guy. So, I feel dejected, that I don't matter, as if I'm the underdog. That's when I feel hurt deep down inside. That's when I feel frustrated, too. That's when I self-introspect, asking myself what/where did I do/go wrong? As a parent, trying to be a good one, to please everyone, I feel, at times, taken for granted, that I don't matter. (Who wouldn't be, if it's obvious that my wife, their mom, always seems to tolerate them---our two young adult children to not grow in responsibility! It's hard to deal, at times, when they, all of them, don't want to take or are not having responsibility in life, even if I let them experience to do things on their own, i.e., cleaning their respective rooms, getting involved in preparing food, washing their dishes, laundry, such that they should learn to be responsible and not to be depending always on me or others. That's why, at times, I just let go of things. It's not worth preaching responsibility. They will learn on their own as they go on living their life. I. for one, don't want to spoil a child, because I learned life the hard way. I hate to tell you this but I learned to be responsible at a younger age. I was a self-supporting student when I started school. I know, I live in a different world far from where I learned responsibility at a younger age. And I'm proud of who and what I became and attained. Good morning myself, but I have to be frank, folks, out of eleven children in my family, I was the very first one to finish college. Even though we lived through hand and moth existence, I was able to earn a college degree. And, I'm proud of that. But, children nowadays, especially those who've never experienced hardships and sacrifices in their life, don't know fully well what life is, on a global scope. Yes, they still have to live it and experience it in various ways. I know and am very much aware of my strengths and limitations. I know there are lots more to learn while I am still alive. But, at the same time, I do believe that experience is the best teacher in life.)
That very moment, my good and pleasant feeling, a while ago, was changed to feeling down as if today I have my "cross"---something that I have to bear temporarily! (That moment, I just tried to contain myself, to control myself from freaking out or getting upset or angry. I was telling myself, this is how kids nowadays treat their parents, as if their co-equal, that they become disrespectful and insensitive. I can't help it, at times, to be feeling down when I noticed or felt like being taken for granted. I feel that I deserve to be treated with respect. Despite having physical "disability", I still try to be helpful and to be good to others, my family included. Even if I wanted to be left alone, I still have myself ready to get involved with other aspects of my family life because, I know, that my immediate family members, still need me, to help them out financially in their undertakings, i.e., education, livelihood, etc. Being independent, most of the time, God knows, there have been moments when I want to be left alone such that I don't want to mind others' business just like I don't want others to mind mine. There's obviously this personal relationships dilemma in our family, especially involving kids, in-laws, etc. It's hard, at times, to deal with these issues.) Ah, life is! So simple yet complicated, at times! Especially when you're married for a long time!)
There, folks, was my moment of encountering my "cross" today. But, I can adjust and adapt to such situations. As I have said, it's up to me to make my day sunny and bright or rainy and sad and down. I thank God for having given me the opportunity to share His Son's suffering on the cross today. After all, life is still wonderful, as I remember that very moment at the clinic with that smiling baby. Yes, I encountered Jesus today. Thanks to God!
Well, my friends, this is all for now. Thanks for sharing your time with me. Until next time around! Have a wonderful Friday, everyone! TGIF! Thanks to God, It's Friday! Have a blessed weekend, too! Take care now.-chris a. quilpa, 09March2012
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