God, Happiness and Life

I found this very, very old photograph of my grandfather. If I remember correctly this was taken in our house many, many years ago in 1970. (On the background is our stereo set which my father himself assembled with his own two hands). My grandad was a classic old schooled man. He was served, literally by everyone: my grandmother, his daughters, his sons, including us the grandchildren. His word was the law. No one dared disobey his wishes. That was his role in our patriarchal clan. The thing is all the men in this family acted like kings in a fiefdom, expecting everyone serving at their pleasure. I believe this mentality is now a thing of the past. Though, I am not really sure. Is it? I don't know if this is good or what. The system of change has changed. My grandfather's era was contrived. Nothing was spontaneous. Expectations were clear and expected to be fulfilled. You are told to do something? There is no way you will not acquiesce. My father's was that caught be...

Hi Arlene, Wherever you are I miss you. I know you are somewhere in Australia. The last time you were here brought back feelings of deep friendship that not even time could erase. But why did we loose track of each other? I am not sure if you still are in the nursing profession which I know you love doing so much. By now, I guess your children are all grown as well. Mine are. If only, we can share again a few minutes of those happy times with Marlyn and Jens. And you know what, your best friend Vicky is just around the corner. I am also dying to know how Jens is. Please tell her I also miss her very much. I hope to see you soon.

This friend, I haven't seen for a long, long time. I hope that before I die (which I hope is not soon), I must see. E is the godmother of one of my sons. We were initially office mates but soon became very good pals. We shared a lot of wicked secrets. I hold some of the most intimate details of her life. Secrets that must remain sealed up to this moment. Me? I don't have any secrets. My life is an open book. What you see is what you get. I am glad all my secrets were revealed in the 1990's. And I don't intend to have anymore, anytime soon or ever. I am posting this photograph of her and her son, hoping someone she or someone who knows her would see. I am optimistic she will make contact.

This is my partner's claim to an Italian bloodline. he!he! A Marche saint through and through, San Nicola da Tolentino was born at Sant'Angelo in Pontano near Fermo in 1245. He became a friar in the Order of St Augustine and in 1275 entered the monastery at Tolentino where he died in 1305. Although a noted preacher and pastoral worker, his fame rests on the numerous miracles attributed to his intercession. History was made in 1797 at Palazzo Parisani-Bezzi in Via della Pace when Napoleon Bonaparte forced Pope Pius VI to sign the Peace of Tolentino in the wake of his successful invasion of the Papal States. If you enjoy riddles, make for the splendid central Piazza della Liberta' to figure out the multiple clock faces on one of the Marches' oddest Medieval clock towers, including one for the phases of the moon. If the draw of flying saints, Bonaparte and chronological puzzles are not enough, Tolentino boasts The International Museum of Caricature and Humour in Art in it...

It is your birthday today son. Unfortunately, we could not prepare a grand celebration because of you know why. As I mentioned to you the other day, I think it has been the story of your birth date. Nevertheless, I am here to tell you it won't pass unnoticed. It's just that the grand celebration will have to wait. I love you my son and allow me this opportunity to express my thanks to you and for everything you have done for us, for our family. You are a responsible and caring person. In so many ways, you have assisted us during those crucial and countless times. I will never forget them anak. Thank you for the understanding; thank you for your support and thank you for being my son. I love you very much. Please take care of your health. I worry about you, about the sleep deprivation. I know, that's the nature of your work. And again, I ask myself, why can't you just get a day job? (There goes the nag?) I thank God again for you, the happiness and the pride you give me...

It hasn't been easy the past year or so. I realize we all are having a difficult time. Sometimes, it seems there's no letting up. But I know deep within me that this is really just temporary, just like the old times, right? What's more important i s, we remain happy despite the setbacks. I understand you and you seem to be aware of what I am going through right now. Let's keep it that way. But then again, you know what needs to be done next, di ba? So ilabas mo na Asti and the chili crabs together with the relyenong bangus. I am hungry na.

That is as far as my youngest son is concerned. Melody used to be the girl in his life. When she was introduced to us, we instantly like her because she looked amiable, and sincere. She had an open face. My partner and I used to discuss this perception about people having open face. We have always felt that an open face is a happy face, someone trustworthy. What is an open face? I don't exactly know. Is there a technical definition at all? Maybe I should Google it. According to this book I found a person can have an open face by, "raising your eyebrows, creating horizontal lines on your forehead, and holding the position for a short time". Moreover, an open face says, "I care" or "I want us to understand each other". Cool! Wow I didn't know that, but it is actually very near our idea of what the term means. Back to Melody. She was just here recently. Although, she and my son are no longer together, she never stopped communicating with us,...