FORGIVENESS COMES FROM A HUMBLE HEART

How many of us understand the meaning of forgiveness? How many of us know how to forgive? How many of us can let go of pain, grudges and revenge? How many of us can love the person who caused us pain, who hurt us, who let us suffer, who disappoints us? How many of us can love our enemies? How many of us can ask for forgiveness?

In today’s Gospel (June 17, 2008 - Mt 5:43-48), Jesus taught us about forgiveness. He speaks of gentleness, of compassion and happiness. When we ask for forgiveness, we should be sincere, real and true to ourselves. When we ask for forgiveness it should come from the heart. A person who asks for forgiveness just for the sake of being forgiven is not far from a devil who hides himself under the mask of an angel. And when we grant forgiveness our hearts should be free from anger and hatred.

We forgive because it is what our hearts say. We do not forgive and afterwards give condition telling him/her “I forgive you but do not do it again.” There is no guarantee that the person will not do it again and again. We forgive because that is what the Lord taught us. And even up to this day, we are still being taught of forgiveness.

It is through forgiving that we can have inner peace and happiness. I know it is not easy to forgive and forget, but a person who knows how to forgive have often experienced how to be forgiven most especially by the Lord.

We are capable of forgiving because the Lord always forgives our sins and wrong doings. There is no other reason why we forgive but the Lord God. He alone is the reason that is why we are called to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

In his homily, Fr. Genie Diwa said, “only a humble heart knows how to forgive.” I always believe that humility is a virtue. A person who humbles himself/herself and is willing to admit that he/she is wrong is a person who symbolizes Christ. And I know that the Almighty Father is always with him/her.

can also be viewed at http://jhengmprado.blogs.friendster.com/jheng/

NANAY, 92

There are things in our life that we can’t do anything but to accept. Sometimes we have to let go of someone even though it is painful. This is the rule of life and we have to submit ourselves to it in order to live normally.

There are people in our lives that occupy big space in our hearts because they play significant roles. Some became part of our growing up while some became an important ingredient of who we are and what we are now.

Nanay is one big part of me. She has a special place here in my heart. She was close to me. She was close to us. I go to her house once in a while but she is the one who often visits us at home. We live in the same street. My mom takes care of Nanay. She cooks and prepares food for her and attends to every need of Nanay. Nanay will sometimes knock at our door saying, “Minda, Minda kakain na ba?” She would sit on the chair and sings her favorite Ilocano songs and every now and then she gives pieces of advice. She always tells the story of her life, her struggles, her pains, her difficulties, her victories and her joys. She constantly reminds us about our health telling us “basa ang likod mo, magpalit ka ng dami baka ubuhin ka.” “O, ang lalamig ng mga paa mo, halika at hilutin natin ng langis.” “Wag ka masyado malapit sa TV, lalabo ang mata mo.” “Magpagupit ka na nga ang haba haba na ng buhok mo mukha ka ng matanda.” Those were some of Nanay’s reminders to me.

She goes to our house whenever one of us is sick, despite her age, she insists on helping in the household chores. She exercises regularly. She attends Mass at the Sto. Cristo Chapel in Sto. Tomas. She is a fortune teller. I remember what she always tells me every time she holds my hands and sees the lines in my palms. She will say, “Oi, ikaw sumpungin ka pero maya maya wala na. Matipid ka, marunong ka sa buhay. Oi, pataas lahat, paakyat ang pera. Haba ng buhay mo. Matutupad mga pangarap mo. Makakpagpatayo ka ng sarili mong bahay. Yung balak mong mag-abroad matutupad.” Those were the things she constantly tells me. She is brave. She is tough but she is unselfish. She loves to eat vegetable and her all time favorite, Banana!!!

During my college days, I always accompany Nanay in getting her pension at PNB, España and afterwards we will eat at Jollibee. I also accompany her at the UST hospital for eye check up with Dr. Javate. We were walking along Gov. Forbes and exchanged stories while heading for a jeep in España. There are many things Nanay shared to me as well as to my family.

How I wish I could turn back time. As her apo, I know I have my share of shortcomings to her but I know she understands. It is so hard to bid farewell to someone who has become a part of you. It’s so hard to let go of Nanay.

Four weeks ago she was with us. Four weeks ago, she started to be weak. It was sudden. She was brought to the hospital thrice but the doctor refuse to confine her instead offered that Nanay should have home medication. She ate less and refuses to take her medicines. Day after day she gets weak. On June 1, she gets different. She no longer eats, speaks and she barely open her eyes. She was just lying in bed. All of us were there. Her children, my mom, Tita Babes and Tito Boy and all her grandchildren were there up to her last breathe. We were all there by her side.

On June 2, at around 2 in the morning, we surrounded her. We’re crying for we know she will leave any time. She was running after her breathe. I was holding her hand and felt that she was already cold. Her heart stops beating. We cried hard. We all held her and kissed her for the last time.

Nanay was 92. She lived long and had a wonderful life. It’s time for her to rest for she already accomplished her mission here on earth. Yes, I am still holding on to her memories but I (we) have to let her go so that she can journey well with her new life with God in heaven.

She was buried at the Nacional Funerary in Araneta, Avenue and was laid to rest at Loyola Memorial park in Marikina on June 7, 2008 at 10 a.m. We also would like to express our deepest gratitude to those people who were with us during our grieve. Thank you very much.

"Nay, your body will soon perish but the wisdom you shared with us will be cherished forever here in our hearts. We love you and we will surely miss you!"

Birthday Treat

Birthday treat at Chef de Angelo in Glorietta with Joan and Reggie last March 29, 2008.

Thank you!!!

Thanks to all who remembered to greet me on my birthday!!!

Sa lahat ng nag-greet through email…thanks po ganda ng mga messages at mga links! Lalu na sa Wayn.com, Naukri.com at Bayt.com, salamat talga! Thanks din pos a mga nag-greet through Yahoo Messenger…salamat sa messages. Thanks din po mga nag-greet through posting a comment in Friendster, thanks sa inyo, lalo na kay Giggie, Chona, my ever dear best friend, Ate Joy Almodiel, at Jennica my ever loving sisteru, saka Thank you sa mga nag-greet through sending message sa friendster at nag post ng bulletin sa friendster. Yung mga nag-greet galing abroad, thank you sa pagbati. Thank you din kay Noemi, isa pang best friend ever ko, thanks sa gift mo, special delivery pa via Macel. Thanks you din sa mga officemates ko sa RCAM na nag-greet sakin, nagkiss at nag-hug lalo na sa AORD. Sa mga kapit bahay namin salamat sa mga bumati lalo na mga chikiting patrol. Saka siyempre sa pamilya ko at mga pamangkenis ko. Lalo na sa Junakis ko, JENNARD, love na love ka ni mommy. Syempre sa Daddy Shrimp ko! Mis u pare! Thanks din sa mga nagtext sa akin:

Happy Birthday Mi!!! Musta kyo Enard? Nsa sm nb kyo? Pakiss nga! Mmwahhhhh..Ang bango fish fish ko ah! Hehehe. Cge work muna me. Mahal na mahal ko kayo. Mwah – Daddy Shrimp

Jheng happy birthday di kita na kiss kanina saying hehehe tomboy bgla! Maligayang bati sa iyo mahal kong kaibigan muah God bless u! – Shane

Gd am. Hi Jeng! M with u n thanking God 4 His wonderful gft of life. May u strive hard 2 mke dis life as pleasing gft 2 Him too. Ecthos! Npacompose ako ng gritings ah! Heheh, para sayo, luvyah mor dan u knw, idol. – Ate Regie

I wish you today, a day of special graces, a day of extraordinary things to smile about, and a day of happiness and love in your heart. Happy birthday jeng! – Shane

hapi birthday! D2 pa kmi sa philam – Mom Rem

Hav a nice and hapi day! God bels u 2 – Ate Regie

Everyday is God’s MIRACLE. It brings new chances to GROW, new beauty to SEE, new plans to MAKE, and new goals to PURSUE. Hapi birthday – Precy

Sa pinkamabait, di nkakklimut na frend, hapi bday 2u. – Giggie

Uy sister, hapi hapi bday. Ntayin mo n lng ung gft ko syo, inorder ko p galling jafan…hpi bday, more 2 come – Lawrence

Puks hapi bday! Ano hnda u? try u check pera, pg wla tel me agd. 1st tym ko kc pdla. Mbgal dw process pg 1st tym, ng gold cntr kme khpon. Pinamili ko ni mark mga ginto. - Jaramine Ribay

Kikay, kiray, kaartehan, yan k, maarte k, mldita, bruha, sobra kn…puros nlng mgggndng bagy nattngp m, ppuri mla s ibang tau, kya ng imbento ako ng kakaiba. hehe hpi bday sa big ate jeni k tsup – Grathia

(1,2, ready, SING…) HAPPY Birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, happy birthday. Happy birthday to you! May all your dreams come true. – Ma’am Peachy

Happy bday…Dyoann

Hapi2x bday mam! May u hv more blessings 2 come, and gud health – Kuya Angel

1msayang pgbati sa 1kaibgan n plaging handa mkinig at mgsalita kng kinakailngan. More power 2u n 2 urpamilya. God bles! – Lyn

Ate jheng happy bday po! - Franz Bernabe

Happy birthday! Last year mo na sa calendar. More blessings to u nd
urfamily! And ofcors gud health. – Joan Manalang

Hpi hapi bday! Wish u an evrlsting hpines wid ur fmily.- Luisa

Woman was made from the rib of man. She was not created from hi head…to top him…nor from hi Feet…to be stepped Upon. She was made from his Side…to be equal to him…from Beneath his Arm…to be Protected by him…near his Heart…to be Loved by him…Happy birthday pretty woman!!! Dan, Joy, Elian, Eia Santos

Maligynag kaarwan sayo. Nway lmigya ka s araw n e2 at nway maisipn mong magpainom pra tyan namiy mbusog…tomaan n…hpi bdy – Kuya Bogs

Fren, khit tgal na tau di kta, alala prin kita. Hapi bday wg u sna limot bday ko..hehehehe –
Alice

Hpi2x hapi bday, sau ang inuman, sau ang pulutn, hpi2x hapi bday, naway patomain mo kmi! Hapi bday, jheng! - Benggay

Graduation of Jennard (Preparatory)

Last March 15, 2008, my son Jennard graduated from Preparatory. It was held at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium in UST, España at 3 pm.

Thoughts of HAPPINESS

Have you ever felt emptiness inside your heart? That even if you posses all the luxuries and glamour in life, there is still a part in you that is missing…and that is happiness.

Happiness for me is the state of being contented with what you have in life whether materially or emotionally. It is also being joyous and thankful that you have the chance of living and journeying in a world full of beauty. Most of all, happiness is having inner peace.
What makes us happy?

There are many things that make us happy. Things, persons, events, situations make us happy. There are some people whose basis of happiness is through the possession of power, fame and of course money. Money makes the world go round. But money cannot buy happiness. You can wear in your wrist the most expensive Tag Heur watch, or showcase your latest Ferrari model on the road or even own a million peso house in Forbes Park. But you cannot buy happiness. You may also have a dozen friends which you go out with for a coffee in Starbucks or a lunch at Super Bowl but you cannot buy a bucket of happiness. You may be the most influential people on earth or attain the highest ranking position in the office and yet one part of you is missing. It is useless. We often recall those pains, hardships, struggles and travails in our lives. But seldom do we look back the good things that happened to us, the people around us, our friends and families. The best way to do is to count your blessings and believe me, you’ll never stop counting. That is happiness.

Happiness is something that cannot be bought. It is a feeling. It is within our hearts. It is a state of fulfillment. It is also an outcome of your act. There are thousand ways to be happy and make other people happy. Being human, we don’t aspire for the downfall of other people. We also don’t expect our neighbors to do us big favors. A little act of kindness and respect will make us happy and will make them happy, too. A simple hi or hello can brighten up a day. Doing something good to others without anything in return gives us a feeling of joy, comfort and relief. It is by giving and sharing what you have to the needy that make us more like God. And what more could make us happy? It is through forgiving and forgetting. When we let go of our grudges and throw away excess baggage in our lives, then, we will surely have a taste of happiness.

Happiness is also hurling away anger, jealousy, selfishness and pride. Sometimes it becomes hard for us to heave these things from ourselves especially if it already becomes part of our daily life. You certainly cannot attain happiness if you continue nourishing these evil things and nasty thoughts. These are the works of the devil. These evil ways might break you into pieces and sometimes it becomes too late for you to pick up those chunks. You’re nowhere now. You’re all alone trying to befriend everyone around you. In that sense, you’re lost!

Happiness is also the result of trust. If you know how to put trust to other people then in return, you will also feel that they trust you and it’s a nice feeling to be trusted by others. Sometimes we have to open up ourselves, share our wisdom and be what you are. You have to speak and at the same time know when to listen. Do not pretend. Do not wear various masks simply because you mingle with different people. We have different personalities and that make us unique. The challenge there is how you deal with society without exaggeration and pretensions. It is how you establish yourself to other people that even if you have committed mistake, they will still accept you and believe in you. More often than not we are uncomfortable saying sorry or pasensiya na. Sometimes it’s hard to do because we are embodied by our own insecurities. We fear of rejection. Remember that you cannot please everybody and you cannot befriend everybody. Pity those who claim that they are a friend to all for they do not have a friend at all. It is better to have 1, 2 or 3 friends around you who are real, true, sincere and loyal than to have a multitude of friends who tolerate your mistakes and cannot even give a bright direction to your life. Just be yourself. Be consistent. Always be fair. Always be courteous and give respect. And most importantly, be humble. Humility is a virtue. And possessing that virtue makes us more human. It’s not easy to say sorry but admitting that you’re wrong doesn’t make you less of a person. It is one step forward to becoming a better person.

Happiness is being accepted and appreciated by other people. It is actually part of the process of life. You don’t need to brag yourself to them and speak of your accomplishments or what field you excel. You don’t need to have expensive things to attract them to appreciate you. We cannot buy love. We also cannot buy friends. We are loved by other people because of who we are and not for what we have. We also love others because of who they are. We accept them despite of their weaknesses. Friends become part of our life if they leave footprints in our hearts and if they continue touching our life with their sincerity and truthfulness.

Happiness for me is FAMILY. It is nice to feel that one of the sources of happiness is our family. They are the most significant gift God has bestowed upon us. They are more than treasure. They are the very reason why we continue fighting the challenges in life. They are good reason to live and to love. Our family is our LIFE with God as the center of everything. It is fine to live in a typical house without enjoying some life’s pleasure and delight as long as you have your family with you. Our happiness can be reflected through our words and deeds inculcated to us by our family. We feel and we speak of happiness when we know and we feel that we are well loved and treated with respect. Our parents as well our brothers and sisters are part of who we are. They help us become a good person so let us love them. Care for them. Nurture them and of course, be proud of them.

When we talk of happiness, we go down from its very root, its source, its beginning and its end. When we talk of happiness, we talk of God. He is the primary reason of our happiness. One way of showing how grateful and thankful we are for the abundance of His blessings is to keep our faith with Him. If we always strengthen our faith in Him and we continue living in His ways, there is certainly bountiful happiness in us. God is good so let’s keep Him always in our life.

I know that we all have different meaning and experience of happiness. But I know that you will all agree with me when I say that happiness comes from within our hearts. Happiness is seen through our eyes, the window to our soul. Our eyes are glowing and glimmering if there is complete happiness in us despite our problems. If there is real happiness inside your heart, then, you are beautiful! Remember that inner beauty comes from within. I am very sure that you can wear that genuine smile.

So, smile! Be merry and be HAPPY!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Last December 31, 2007, my sister Joan, the Artist Chef cooked delicious foods for us for our medianoche and she also treated us to SUPERBOWL at Glorietta, Ayala, Makati.

Welcome to the Christian world!!!

Chelsea Jeanne M. Ribay was baptized on December 9, 2007 at the Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz (Binondo Church) at 11 a.m. Reception followed at Arzobispado de Manila Intramuros, Manila. Loramiles was the caterer. Special thanks to Mr. Chito Ferrer and family for the help they extended us.