Then on January 1, 2012, I thought again of writing this but was not able to. I got busy cleaning my room, for the new year, hehehe.... And in the afternoon and evening I was too tired again to write.
Anyways, all I really wanted was to give thanks for all the blessings I had for year 2011.
I am thankful for my new found friends - the Iligan Bloggers Society, Inc. members. In less than a year, we have grown to become a family - helping and supporting each other.
Thankful that Joan's boyfriend, Vincent, has finally come into terms with Mama and Papa, after many years of waiting for it to happen.
I am thankful for the opportunity given to me to have new experiences in my life.
Thankful for the good health. For my husband, Pat. For my family. For my friends. For Pat's family. For Pat's friend.
And when "Sendong" hit Iligan City, I had so much more to be thankful for.
Except for our 6 dogs (my sister who has been taking care of them, is missing them so much, but still she was thankful that the dog died in our house and she has the chance to bury them.), I am thankful that my family was spared from death. The things in the house damaged or even the part of the house that got damaged can be repaired, but the life of a family member when gone is gone forever. With all my parents and sisters saved, I am forever grateful. I am still given the chance to spend more time with them. To give to my parents and sisters all the love I could give.
Even with Iligan River is near our house in Tubod, as we were amazed that the flood did not reach our area, I am very thankful that it did not. For if it did, nobody would have been able to help my parents in Bayug in the morning of December 17. Since my parents decided not to leave the house, we gave them whatever they need to make them comfortable while the house and the things are being cleaned.
Thankful for Tita Meriam, Pat's aunt who lives across our house in Celdran, for letting us use their Multicab vehicle for 3 days to transport us and the things we need to bring to my parents' house.
Thankful for my two cousins who came to Iligan from Dipolog to help my parents clean up the backyard, although it was only for a few days, but it was a great help nonetheless.
Thankful that I have not yet spent the P10,000.00 the government gave us as additional bonus. It was definitely a great help in purchasing the immediate things needed by my family. And before the calamity happened, I was even wondering what to do with the extra money. Little did I know, it has already a purpose.
Thankful that I forgot to give to my sister the money to buy them a new stove before Christmas. I bought the stove after the flood, hehehe, on December 18, 2011. It was still before Christmas. :-)
There are some other things I would have wanted to buy for them in Bayug, but was delayed. I am thankful that it was.
Thankful that I have not yet confirmed my Consolidated Loan at GSIS. I already plan on renewing my loan in November and had even listed the things I'd do with the proceeds. But cancelled my renewal because of some discrepancies in the posting of my payments of the current loan. With the damage caused by Sendong, I am thankful I have not yet made my loan renewal. At least now, I have some money to use for the repair of my parents' house. :-)
Thankful for the financial assistance extended by Ate Luz, Pat's elder sister. Thankful for Pat's family specially Ate Amy, Pat's eldest sister, for allowing me to use her room in Celdran. I let my sister stay in Ate's room for two nights while she was an out-patient on medication. We decided to not let her go back to Bayug first while she's still sick. In case of emergency, the hospital would just be nearby.
Thankful for Joan's boyfriend for staying with her in the hospital while I was attending to Gagang in Celdran and Mama was in Bayug taking a rest.
Even though my parents and sisters got sick after Christmas, I am thankful that the illness was nothing serious and that they are now recovering. My other sister was already able to get back to her work.
Thankful for my IBS family and the volunteers who shared their time and effort in helping bring relief goods and medical treatment to the victims of the flood. I was able to work with with them in the first few days of operation.
Thankful for the prayers made by friends and relatives.
Photo from http://nanahood.com/thinking-about-things-i-am-thankful-for
Of the many images I found in Google, I chose this particular one. Why? The candle reminded me of the many nights my parents and sisters in Bayug were using candles to light them during the night while the electricity has not yet returned in the area. I am thankful for the light the candles have given them for all those nights. And just yesterday, they already have electricity in the house. And I am thankful the refrigerator still worked. They can now eat freshly cooked food (not anymore canned goods or processed food, my mother is not supposed to eat these kinds of food because of stomach problem, but has no choice) since they can now store food.
Gratitude to thank God in spite of "Sendong" and gratitude that we can still light a candle in the dark.
Nice message to hear! I'm quite grateful also for it gave me strength to grow more beautifully with God's love. I can see a LIGHT of HOPE in your article. =)
ReplyDeleteThank you Jhoy. God bless.
Delete:-)