christmas break

just arrived from cebu today after spending christmas there with my sister's family.

it was the first time our family has been together for Christmas since my dad died. well, we did spend it together the year he died, but we hardly had the heart to celebrate then.

this time, there were seven children (five from my sister and another two from her sister-in-law) to make it fun. there is nothing like seeing the innocent joy of kids waiting for the clock to strike twelve to open their gifts. it's quite amusing hearing, "puwede na buksan ang gift?" every five minutes after the midnight mass (which was at ten o'clock). and finally, hearing a burst of "yehey!" once the adults give the go signal.

being bred to appreciate books, i gave my nephews and nieces books as well. which could not compete with electronic toys for the boys and pa-kikay stuff for the girls. i don't mind though, because in a few months all those toys will be busted and the play boutique will run out of nail and face paint. while my books, though tattered and torn shall be encrypted in their little minds. hehehe!

i did think that Christmas would be more ecstatic this year since I'd be spending it with my family and would be tita-mode for a week. but it did not turn out to be so. yet, i feel a different kind of happiness. that kind that makes me feel really blessed to have all those people around me. and those who weren't.

there was no denying that i was really happy with the material blessings (thanks Amb. Dee for the orange envelope which went straight to the bank). and i know i wouldn't feel as Christmas-y as i do now without it. but during the entire week i kept drifting off to sleep with only thanks in my heart. the fears were there. still constant. sometimes making me cry. but still, hope would flicker ever so gently. sometimes burning the darkness of fear away. sometimes just simply lighting a little path. but the hope lives. i pray to have enough faith to keep it alive this coming year.

and then of course... i was tita gie to five beautiful children. they'd get on my nerves most of the time, but i can't help but love them to bits. and i miss them already. anyway... more about the little imps next time.

for now, enjoy the rest of the holidays. may it be time for rest, for rekindling ties, for remembering the year that was, for looking forward to the year that will be... whatever you seek the last three days of the holidays to be... make sure it is wisely spent. :)