I am always thinking, at the age of 47 if I can reach 50, as we do not know what lies ahead. But I hope to reach more than that age. I do not celebrate birthdays before; I find them like ordinary days. Maybe because of the sad birthdays when I was a kid, alone with no one to celebrate, I treated it as a regular day; only when I had a family of my own where I re-learned to celebrate birthdays.
For years, I have had the chance to attend the birthdays of my loved ones, families, relatives, and friends. But I cannot remember attending a 50th birthday party, the golden age of somebody special to me. But it was just three weeks ago that I attended one, and I cannot contain my joy and tears. I guess this is why I do not want to participate in the birthday celebrations of those I truly love; I always get emotional.
I arrived at the Garden Bay Restaurant & Resort at exactly 6:30 a.m., which was a “breakfast” celebration. I felt the cold wind as I entered the venue, and the weather was so welcoming. As my husband Rey and I reached the dining area, I felt the beach embracing me.
The beach brought me calm and peace.
Later, other guests also arrived. I have found familiar faces and again have seen Hildegarde Dagohoy-Ang after many years, like an older sister who has shown me great love.
Grace, Cynthia, Liza, and Bang were also there, and it was nice to be with people that gave me the strength to live life with resilience. Oh, the birthday celebration was unforgettable.
But allow me to talk about that special friend that celebrated her 50th birthday three weeks ago. Funny, but I feared her when we met 19 years ago. She is a woman with a voice that will get everyone’s attention when she speaks, reaching whatever distance is desired with no difficulty, and very firm and very good enunciation.
She thinks fast and has brilliant ideas. She dares to present her views even when they contradict many. She gives time to listen but will not fear correcting one when it will lead to danger. She finds time to discuss possibilities of what could not and could be.
She seeks the truth and is not afraid if she is doing what can best help the many. She may appear unfair to others, but she has no biases. If one did wrong, she would tell the person honestly and will not overhear from others. Even when I am on the wrong path when I am confused, when I need to realize I am wrong, I will hear her tell me so.
But I see that she is always misunderstood. I guess because she is so strong with her convictions. She pushes things where she knows there is injustice. She has challenging standards sometimes, but she never says no to help one attain them. Oh, yes, we all have our flaws; when she is wrong, I appreciate that it was not hard for her to apologize and accept her inadequacies.
But even if she is a superwoman, there is softness inside her. She also gets hurt, cries when in pain, and sometimes keeps it to herself. She also gets tired, needing time to stop or recharge.
She also has shared with me her experiences of betrayal. And, as always, she tells me how God touches her heart to learn to forgive. She appears hard, but in reality, she is God-fearing.
She prays unceasingly and trusts God’s word and the process.
And weeks ago, during her 50th birthday, when I looked at her face I remember all her struggles and the pains she encountered for the love of many. And then, when I looked at the faces of all guests and listened to their birthday wishes, God, I was overwhelmed to know how she brought justice, joy, wins, peace, and true love to all of us. Indeed, in her 50 years of existence, Ms. Melba Irene Gabuya, the birthday celebrant, has changed the lives of many.
Oh, I would not remain to wish to reach 50; I will affirm to attain that age and help many too. And hoping that when that day comes, I will also celebrate it, welcoming the sun and allowing the sea breeze to embrace me. Ahh. There cannot possibly be anything more beautiful than celebrating a 50th birthday than seaside celebrations at sunrise.
With Melba, I understood the symphony of the beach. I appreciate the courage of the beach that I must pay joy. And remember to wake up in the morning to bring positive vibration and radiate it to others. God, watching the floating white clouds and the dancing beach was so good, as it conveys calmness and peace. Life is a beach!