#4 Scary, Isn't It?

Do you believe that the dead communicate with the living? How could you imagine that a person after departing the physical world can make some noticeable and fearing acts? Would it be possible for a dead to interfere through tangible things or even to our dreams? Well, that sounds so scary. Others, say it is impossible but for me, it is definitely yes.  A simple yet interesting story of mine has been very disgusting.

                I will never forget that time. I was still in grade two then when my uncle died due to some complicated diseases. I maybe just a little child by that time, however, I can intimately feel the pain of losing a relative and seeing the red and teary eyes of my parents and cousins. It was a very difficult moment for the entire family knowing that one life has been quenched and that, it is irreversible. At that time, I have a very great fear with wakes of the dead.  So, I keep on holding the hand of my mother fearing that maybe the dead will drag me. After all, that is just a fictional dream of a little child like me.

                The wake lasts for ten days. The burial followed which has been very emotional for the members of the family. Not knowing that this would signal the start of our happy yet scary experience about the dead. The first day after the burial sounds peculiar. We keep on hearing that the plates, spoons and forks were falling down the floor. My aunt unafraid ran down the stairs and turn on the light. I hurried toward her; however we are surprised to see that the utensils are well arranged. My aunt felt happy. I can’t do the same for I was shaking because of nervousness. The elders in the family were seemingly shocked, yet happy for they felt the presence of my uncle.  That strange thing happened successively for seven days. For one week of experiencing those things, we are almost used to it, that we disregarded it from our attention.

                On the eight day, we do not hear any tinkling of the spoon or any falling objects in the kitchen, rather when we are deeply asleep, a very extraordinary thing happened. Surprisingly, in the middle of our deep rest, we were awakened by a leaking gasul smell. My uncle’s wife noticed it first. She rushed immediately into the kitchen. I followed my aunt, and I was really surprised to see that the gasul was turned on and there is a flame in the stove that slowly dies out.  The fire disappeared accordingly with the sound of the switch as if someone has turned it on and off. We cannot explain our feelings on that moment. It is as if we are looking on as show. All the members of the family who witnessed it could not even utter a word, except for one person whose tears flowed freely- my aunt. She reminisced the times when my uncle was still alive. He is fond of cooking different foods for us. Then, we realized, that those things that happened were just about the expression of our uncle for us, that he is still there at our side.

                It may be hard for us to understand the true value of life. It is a mystery that we ought to know after every coming and passing of a brother or sister. Definitely, life her on earth and on the eternal world are different. In some instance, I firmly believe that there is a communication that exists between the people who passed away. So long as we shall live in accordance with the truth, faith and care for others will we be able to live and value life.

#3 I Stop to Say Thank You Mama, Papang

  Life comes in many shapes. What we are most especially into and who we are rely solely on our preferences we have undertaken. Above all, it is also determined in to the environment that molded us into a unique and distinct beings. This environment that prepares us for this whole life, active and dynamic interaction is the family. 

    What comes into your mind when you hear the word family? Surely it would be associated with mother, father, sister and brother. Definitely these people, most of the time surround us as we grow and understand life the way we interact with them. It is in them, that we most of the time hold for something- great inspiration and strength as we face life's daily consequences. When I was in my elementary years,my family is the one who cheers me up. My father personally goes to school to warn those students who tease and quarrel with me. 


    How about this present time? I use to ponder the harsh and brute incidents today that maligns family relations. One example is my neighbor's son who is a drug addict which I could say lack of guidance from his parents. I am scared whenever they quarrel, trying to hurt each one until blood comes out. That maybe is one of the worst and humiliating scenarios I've ever had. Another resident of our sitio who is paralyzed and has a son, an addict drinker and drug abuser. I just can't hardly imagine how they manage themselves when I hear their house trembling with flying objects. If that is the case, how do people nowadays value and honor family? 


    In my recent observation, I find it sad to say that some people nowadays neglect family values and importance. Some choose and stick to human desires for fulfillment. Professionals who are "workaholic", are so focused on their works and appointments and sometimes forgot that they have families waiting for them. On the other hand, there are also family oriented individuals who put emphasis on unity among family which is shown by their dedication to their family members. One example is their willingness to to eat meals together and share the day's experiences. However, I seldom see it these days. As time pass by, high cost of living mandates going outside the country and massive call to work hard and finding greener pasture for which family is the main reason. It is true that still family is of great importance to us but due to the imperatives of these times, we are agitated to sacrifice our valued things for the sake of that certain aim.


    I use to think that this present world are so complicated to deal with. I realized that what I am today is because of my parents who inculcated the different values and direction of my life. They are the founders and heads of the family. I use to hear it from sayings that they our first teachers and, yes, exactly. They are our guides, supporters and believers. I want to thank them  by showing that the values and principles that they have taught to me remain in my heart and mind. For me, it is in through showing them that what they have invested, all the hardships they've been, are worthy and meritorious enough to consider. Their ultimate success is to see  their sons and daughters achieving, learning and living life as it should be. 


    Life is full of surprises. This can be an opportunity that may seek through a door we might not know we left open. As we live together  with our valued love ones and friends, it is of no doubt that we may be be able to attain different spectrum of success. It propels us into a destination that suits our nature and kind. This can be achieved through our family--our parents that get our attention every time we move, our friends who remind us that we are loved and God,who places us into the right and prolific way always. I might see myself as a credible, registered and satisfied chemical engineer ten years from now. I am seeing myself to have achieved the things that is meant for me. The mission inculcated in my dreams and goals are simultaneously coming into its reality. 




    Life differs in shape. There are many intervening factors that pulsates in our way. Be it a problem, an inspiration or a challenge to take, we are still enabling ourselves to pursue and extend the spirit of a fighter to sustain another round. Our parents whose main success is our success requires a thank you that must originate from our hearts. We emulate what we mostly see into the requirement of our environment. What is important is that, we know how to distinguish right from wrong, value people who have been part of the journey and above all, learn to stop and say, thank you mama,papang. By learning so, we perform the necessities to succeed.