by Maria Lourdes A. de Vera
In grade shool, every day my nanny would pick me up from school to take lunch at home. She carries a huge umbrella to keep the sun. But I like walking on the sunny side of the street. So, I can play with my shadow prancing the street. I like to hip hop hippity hop on the way home. I am most happy to see Granny and have lunch together.
When there is rain, dancing under the rain is fun. A beautiful garden means having all the critters, cicadas, caterpillars, bugs, beettles, bees, butterflies, birds and frogs too, getting wet and cold makes them all loud. It makes me excited to hear them.
Growing up seeing all things bright and beautiful that kept me through life’s stresses and challenges. In fact, I never realized or so thought of a problematic life. Afterall, seasons change. The turmoil in life are accidental to life’s goodness and blessings.
The ancestral house was huge with cascading windows covering one side of the house. It gives a magnificent view of the skies, clouds, sun or watch the heavy downpour of rain. Every drop of rain looked pretty on the glass. I lived in a region sorrounded by mountains. It was like a basin that captured much humidity. Typhoon would always come by. Trees are sometimes torn and swayed. But, it bounces back to life and beauty.
Raining, I would often sit by the window and wait for the rain to stop. It was something I always cherished doing.
Minuscule streams of water gather and make puddles. Then all these make their way to the grass covering the lawn. Thinking about the critter friends in the garden who get wet, hungry and cold in the rain, hoping they would find a warm and comfy place to rest. I worry and ask my grandaunt, will they be alright. she would assure me that they too will be fine. Optimistic does not mean being merry and detached from facts of daily life rather it is a grounded sense of optimism. Neither frivolity but seeing all shades of life.
Terrible typhoons bring us together, a burning candle draws everyone to the light. Gathered, silently listening to the howling wind, roaring thunder and the hishing lighting. At home, warm, safe, comfortable and provided with food and shelter, my grandma will say a little prayer, a wishful thinking, a bridge of hope for those who may be in the most difficult conditions. Learning how to bear things and wait for the storm is over is a worthwhile lesson for every typhoon that passes. Waiting gives renewed meaning to time. the importance of time, what to do when you have time by your side.
Down trodden with water plants and trees are weighdown broken for awhile then burst back with fresh green. There are difficulties and troubles that comes along with triumphs and successes in life. The possibility of change is that change is possible, you are never down all the time or up most of the time as dusk is to dawn.
The orientation towards the future. Of moving forward.
When all things fail, learning how to focus is an essential character.
Whenever there are projects to be done, situations to be worked through, I am most inclined to choose what works.
