(During the two years that we cared for our daughter until after she passed away, we heard of friends who tell us how strong we were. Of course we were encouraged by this compliment and it kept us going. But many times I thought about what "strength" really meant. An unknown author compared "strength" witth another character trait, courage, and one can better understand. This is insightful)
It takes strength to be firm.
It takes courage to be gentle.
It takes strength to stand guard.
It takes courage to let down your guard.
It takes strength to conquer
It takes courage to surrender.
It takes strength to be certain.
It takes courage to have doubt.
It takes strength to fit in.
It takes courage to stand out.
It takes strength to feel a friend's pain.
It takes courage to feel your own pain.
It takes strength to hide feelings.
It takes courage to show them.
It takes strength to endure abuse.
It takes courage to stop it.
It takes strength to stand alone.
It takes courage to lean on another.
It takes strength to love.
It takes courage to be loved.
It takes strength to survive.
It takes courage to live.
-- Author Unknown
June 19, 2008
Strength and Courage
June 18, 2008
Birthday - A Celebration of Life
Today is my birthday ('ty - first). I don't usually celebrate it. But I think some people are happy that on this day 'ty-one years ago, I was born. Celebrating this day is thus a celebration of life - mine. And I thought it best to celebrate it with others whose lives hang on the balance.In memory of Yam who was with me on few occasions in the past doing similar thing, I chose to be with pediatric cancer patients at the Davao Medical Center. There were 12 of them at this time. The visit and the day's rewards were enormous. Aside from seeing most of the kids' smiles, I realized how fortunate I was, I am and I can still be.
My wife Emma rushed from her work and was with me. She took these pictures. Shiena Payno, a child life coordinator of Kythe, Incorporated, who works with the kids, was so kind to accommodate us into what they're doing.
This day, what I could have spent for myself with friends at a birthday party for myself, went to the kids. Not much, but enough to make some kids contort their faces into a genuine smile. Not much, but enough to make them and their parents feel loved and cared for - even by a couple of strangers, who are strangers no more.
As Einstein once said, a life lived for others is indeed worth living.
(Thanks to those who greeted me on this day. And to those who'll read this. Ha ha ha, wala tayo ngayon - para sa mga bata muna)
June 14, 2008
HONORING A FATHER ON FATHER’S DAY
While thanking my friends through an email, I remembered one of my friends’ Dad. I read his Dad’s name printed at the top row, fourth column on a large brass plate at the Philippine National Red Cross building in Port Area. Those in the list were there because they donated at least 50 bags of their precious, life-saving blood.
So I sent an email to my friend. He responded saying his Dad donated blood more than 150 times. Oh, that's one for the books - one that requires a fervent sense of purpose and commitment. Since blood donation is as frequent as every quarter, his Dad could have donated blood consistently for about 40 years.
I postulated that the sense of mission of my friend’s Dad is rooted in a profound personal experience. I later learned that his (Dad’s) mother died due to loss of blood when she gave birth to him (Dad). My friend also related the story of his Dad’s College of Law classmate who could have survived an accident if he had blood transfusion.
My friend’s Dad is a great person. I wondered how much greater he could have been if he grew up with a doting mother around. Back in high school, our whole class (and more) frequented their home. We noisily frolicked in their swimming pool, boisterously played in their basketball court, often times raiding their refrigerator. Such a warm, caring and loving home. And though I haven’t personally met my friend’s Dad, I knew we each have a place in his big, big heart - including our individual mischief.
Why am I honoring my friend’s Dad and not mine? I am honoring him as a symbol of the many great Dads out there, including mine. I’m honoring him as a representative of those who regularly donate blood and, in effect give the gift of love and life. Few do so as a matter of duty, but many do so with a sense of purpose and as an act of love. In the same manner, some Dads are Dads as a matter of duty, but most are Dads because of a sense of purpose and love.
When my daughter was sick of leukemia, she needed multiple blood transfusions. We had to scour for blood donors when the blood bank is short of stock. In cases of platelet transfusion, we needed a live donor. Looking for a donor, especially when you have exhausted your friends and relatives, can be tiresome and tedious. Beyond using your charm, the donor should have a desire and commitment to save life.
In the two years that my daughter needed blood, we experienced a very efficient system at the Red Cross national office. We called the Red Cross office up, placed a request, asked confirmation when the blood is available, then took it at the appointed time. More important than the dedicated employees, the system worked most of the time because of committed donors like my friend’s Dad.
We count ourselves very fortunate for having good, loving and caring friends. And we count it a blessing that our friends have great Dads - who made our friends as great or greater.
Happy Fathers Day to all great fathers out there.
June 11, 2008
Yam, Chirlen, Ashlee Video
You can access it by clicking HERE.
Poem of A Breast Cancer Warrior
I ache, I cry
Let me sing, let me dance
Let me feel, let me see
I will breathe, I will smile
And I will love and I will live
I shall strive, I shall touch
I will go on, move on I will
Oh I’ll still sing and dance as I had
Lynne Carreon Sabay
Lipa City, Batangas
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