I’VE counted 53 Saturdays in 2017. That’s one more than can be found in a deck of cards.
I suddenly heard the voice of my college professor: “What’s the significance, Mr. Khok?”
That made me perspire for saying something impulsively and pushed me to scramble to find the answer.
“Sir, the four suits—hearts, clubs, spades and diamonds—symbolize the four seasons in the West. At the other end of the rope, the 13 cards in each suit signify the 13 phases of the lunar cycle. The number itself (52) has its own meaning: the 52 cards count for the 52 weeks in a year.”
“So, what’s the significance of 53?”
“It means I have an extra week to thank people, including you, Sir.”
The white-whiskered guru beamed with pride. “Well, done, Mr. Grasshopper. I taught you well. You still have the ability to connect and understand sound vibrations, and thus your inner voice is intact.” He left the scene after giving me an olive branch.
Peace? I scratched my brain for an answer. Is it possible to say thank you when you are not at peace? My old professor came back, “You can’t, but since you’re at peace now, you can.”
The Chinese view the grasshopper as a symbol of longevity, happiness, good health, good luck, wealth, abundance, fertility and virtue—attributes I want to give to anyone who has shown kindness or even those who have been mean to me.
So near the end of the year, I want to thank the Creator for everything He has allowed in my life. I can’t wish He had the attributes of the grasshopper because He is everything good, and has in fact given me several of the traits assigned to this insect. I just want to thank Him, and thank Him.
I want to thank my family and friends—my aunt Tita Blitte, uncle Gustave, Dona, Peetong, Pannon, Krystalle, Ellen, Illustracio and Julie—for giving me content ideas and for rallying behind me when I was under attack of “extreme handsomeness” and for keeping me in check. So thank you.
I want to thank SunStar Cebu, especially the Editorial Family that includes, I think, the Art Department. Thank you for allowing me to continue writing the way I do; inspiring me; listening to my voice; tolerating my craziness sometimes; and allowing me the flexibility and the liberty to interpret what “food column” means, and what it is not.
To my family, friends, the management, editors, artists and everyone else, I impart to you the attributes of the grasshopper now and for always.