Parenthood is a joy, a blessing. But sometimes, it brings pain and hurt. And tears.
Over the weekend, Grace and Max lost their second child, Zak. We know that Zak came into this world ahead of his time. A couple of months early and both parents had struggled to keep Zak alive. He went through some blood transfusion. I gave Grace my mom’s home number that in case Zak needed more blood. “Fresh blood” was what Zak needed, not blood that had been donated and kept in a freezer, probably due to the sensitivities of being a baby.
Last Tuesday afternoon, while I was in a client meeting at the Cisco office at Citibank building, I got an sms from Grace. Zak had died. That news really caught me by surprise. I sense of quiet dawned upon me.
I know in many ways Chief and I could relate. We had our taste of parenthood with Christian Gabriel. But CG didn’t live long enough go through nine months with Chief. I will never forget that day when we both cried at the parking lot, inside Shaq. Never.
And now, my friends, Grace and Max are going through their own loss.
There are really no words to describe the loss of someone in the family, and even more, the loss of a two-month old baby named Zak.
Wherever you are Zak, hope you are now resting in the hands of the Lord.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Thelma's Story
Thelma walked into our lives last Sunday.
Chief and I went to Mass at St. John Bosco Church. We were a little late, just a few minutes as the celebration of Christ’s life started. We found ourselves a place at the last row. Infront of us, there was a little boy, maybe, 3 or 4 years old. Every time the boy would stand and look at us, he would smile at the people besides us but not smile at me? Hmmmmm. Maybe, I reminded him of someone at home who scolded him often? Maybe?
Later at home, Chief told me. “Maybe, he is adopted as he doesn’t look like his mother.” Another maybe? I recalled that he had curly hair and probably had some non-Pinoy heritage? Maybe, Indian?
After Mass, we went briefly to Rustan’s. Just some window-shopping. We were both having long working days. The Corp PR 2 team was still short-handed but we were looking forward to Melissa joining our team soon. Chief was extra busy too. Getting less sleep. Often, patience is challenged on days like this. Stretched and stressed.
As we got home and about the enter the elavator from the basement parking, Jinnie approached me. I said, “Sandali lang pare. Aakyat muna ako.” Chief had been waiting inside the elevator.
After a few minutes, I went out of our Greenhome and met up with Jinnie at the basement parking. He started to tell me the story of Thelma.
Chief and I went to Mass at St. John Bosco Church. We were a little late, just a few minutes as the celebration of Christ’s life started. We found ourselves a place at the last row. Infront of us, there was a little boy, maybe, 3 or 4 years old. Every time the boy would stand and look at us, he would smile at the people besides us but not smile at me? Hmmmmm. Maybe, I reminded him of someone at home who scolded him often? Maybe?
Later at home, Chief told me. “Maybe, he is adopted as he doesn’t look like his mother.” Another maybe? I recalled that he had curly hair and probably had some non-Pinoy heritage? Maybe, Indian?
After Mass, we went briefly to Rustan’s. Just some window-shopping. We were both having long working days. The Corp PR 2 team was still short-handed but we were looking forward to Melissa joining our team soon. Chief was extra busy too. Getting less sleep. Often, patience is challenged on days like this. Stretched and stressed.
As we got home and about the enter the elavator from the basement parking, Jinnie approached me. I said, “Sandali lang pare. Aakyat muna ako.” Chief had been waiting inside the elevator.
After a few minutes, I went out of our Greenhome and met up with Jinnie at the basement parking. He started to tell me the story of Thelma.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Happy brthday CG
Today is CG’s birthday. Yes, today, Saturday could have been a big celebration as Christian Gabriel would have turned two years old. But CG moved on ahead and now watches over us. Often, when Chief can’t find a parking spot in Powerplant Mall, she would ask CG for help and suddenly, a slot would be available. Me? I always ask CG to keep watch over Chief as she drives and sometimes, shed a tear when we play the song, “You’re having my baby” by Paul Anka.
Still, after my classes at UST, I will quickly head to our Greenhome and pick up Chief so we can go to Mass at St. John Bosco Church along Pasay Road. This church has always been a refuge for us ever since we got back from Vietnam in 2001. It was here where we shared with Him the blessings of parenthood a couple of years ago. And also, picked up Fr. Armand one Sunday evening after his 8:30pm Mass. He counseled us on our lost. But not really our lost as we know that CG continues to be present in our lives, everyday. We ended at Starbucks at Greenbelt 1 that night.
Tonight, Chief and I will say a quiet prayer for our baby who gave us a taste of parenthood! We love you dearly and miss those moments when we shared your presence with our families, relatives and friends.
Still, after my classes at UST, I will quickly head to our Greenhome and pick up Chief so we can go to Mass at St. John Bosco Church along Pasay Road. This church has always been a refuge for us ever since we got back from Vietnam in 2001. It was here where we shared with Him the blessings of parenthood a couple of years ago. And also, picked up Fr. Armand one Sunday evening after his 8:30pm Mass. He counseled us on our lost. But not really our lost as we know that CG continues to be present in our lives, everyday. We ended at Starbucks at Greenbelt 1 that night.
Tonight, Chief and I will say a quiet prayer for our baby who gave us a taste of parenthood! We love you dearly and miss those moments when we shared your presence with our families, relatives and friends.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Finding Christ through a crisis
Last New Year’s Eve, we attended Mass at Makati Shangrila and heard Fr. Larry’s words about the holidays and the current economic crisis the world faces. He told the crowd to find Christ through the crisis. And must admit that those words caught my attention. Yup, there is a crisis brewing and people say that it was going to get worse before it gets any better. Hopefully not!
Guess, we should always be counting our blessings and appreciate these gifts from Christ, specially, the gift of family and friends… and of good health and a stable career. Chief and I have been blessed since we returned from Vietnam after our five year “tour of duty.”
We have been blessed with a tease of parenthood with Christian Gabriel who now watches over us. Often, when we are in desperate search of a parking slot in Greenbelt or Rockwell, we would call out to CG to help lead us to a vacant spot… and really, soon enough, we would find a space.
This year, we are still hopeful that Raphael will soon join our lives and get a rare experience parenthood again.
Through the celebration, Fr. Larry kept his sermon as simple and as relevant as possible, often giving reference to the current economic and political environment.
And we hope that after his sermon last Wednesday night, everyone has stronger faith that change will lead to better lives, specially, for those who have less in life.
Happy new year everyone!
Guess, we should always be counting our blessings and appreciate these gifts from Christ, specially, the gift of family and friends… and of good health and a stable career. Chief and I have been blessed since we returned from Vietnam after our five year “tour of duty.”
We have been blessed with a tease of parenthood with Christian Gabriel who now watches over us. Often, when we are in desperate search of a parking slot in Greenbelt or Rockwell, we would call out to CG to help lead us to a vacant spot… and really, soon enough, we would find a space.
This year, we are still hopeful that Raphael will soon join our lives and get a rare experience parenthood again.
Through the celebration, Fr. Larry kept his sermon as simple and as relevant as possible, often giving reference to the current economic and political environment.
And we hope that after his sermon last Wednesday night, everyone has stronger faith that change will lead to better lives, specially, for those who have less in life.
Happy new year everyone!
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