Sunday, December 30, 2007 Luab: Walk with faith By Evelyn R. Luab Light Sunday
THE year 2007 is ending tomorrow.
What have you done with yourself in the past year? Are you burned out? Do you feel that life has passed you by? Do you envy the others who have made good? Are you still wallowing in self-pity? I hope not. Life is too good and too short to be wasted.
Oh yes, believe me I can still vouch for a new year ahead in spite of the adjustments, the aches of loneliness, the emptiness which filled my house as I walked the earth for a year, without the clasp of Rod’s hands in mine. It was tough! But gifts from above were plentiful. It included attendance at an inter-religious exposure in Singapore, which also brought about an opportunity to empathize with the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who often meet difficulties at airport fiascos.
Local trips were also “happenings,” which not only opened my eyes to the beauty of the Philippines, but also made me see the advancement we have attained in hotel service and the improvement which the Filipino has reached as far as his savvy for relationships and sensitivity for what the other fellow’s needs. Oh, I’m not saying that I’ve not burst into tears at the sight of two people walking hand in hand at a mall, and then stopping to sit down at our favorite bench (i.e. the very bench my husband and I used sit on) as one smiled up to the other in a silent plea to rest his tired knees.
I’m not saying that the knot in my heart did not tighten as a whiff of Rod’s perfume reached my nostrils as I entered a room. What I’m saying today is that we just need to open our eyes to the world around us and feel the life that is breathing all around.
There is so much to have, so much to do, so much to receive and so much to give. Let’s just take a look back at this Christmas season. The cynics and pessimists all said, “This Christmas will be a lousy one. We won’t enjoy it at all.” Yet, when they said this, they were at the malls sipping coffee and watching people pass by.
Contrast this with the beautiful people who packed gifts, who solicited funds for the needy people, who set aside part of their own money to share with others. There were those who carried with them bread, cookies and candies in their cars to share with children who knocked at windows. These were ordinary folks like you and me. As you read this, I’m sure you remember the metro aide you gave something this Christmas because you saw her every day outside your window cleaning the street you frequented. You may also have remembered your old employee who retired, but whom you often meet limping because of a previous stroke.
Cebu is blessed with hearts. Praise God that the true Cebuano has not yet become callous to the watch your carboy who smiles at him in greeting as he leads the car to an empty space. We are still so appreciative of our house helper who gets from us not only her 13th month but also a gaily wrapped Christmas gift to brighten her Christmas day.
Many Cebuanos still pack small boxes containing a few kilos of rice, some canned goods and some clothes which they distribute in the small community they belong to.
We have proven to the Cassandras that the Christmas, which came and went was still a Christmas full of brotherly love. We feel sad for anyone who says otherwise.
The year 2008 is just around the corner. C’mon people. Let us remember that we are sharing the same world and breathing the same air. If we work together with faith there is little we cannot do. 2008 will be great if you believe so.
