Goodbye (“God be with you.”) and Hello (“Wishing you a good health.”) may sound contradictory words but for real, these words are so relevant and interrelated with each other.
How do you say “Goodbye” for the current year? How do you say, “Hello” for the coming year? Every year, people around the world have different beliefs, traditions and practices as observed in their own unique culture. These practices were not only be seen at the end of the year but throughout the months of the year. Variation of these practices occurs when people adopt and adapt certain changes due to some influential factors as days pass by. Throughout the year, many things had happened in our life as manifested by tears of joy, tears of pain or tears of grief. Every moment in life is so significant that marks our lifetime history. For the younger children, their clock might seem so slow while for the elderly people, it might seem so fast. Infact, they have the same clock speed.
What shall we do? Perhaps, we shall live normally with our fullest potentials. Learn how to enjoy a wonderful, happy and peaceful life. Everything starts with a wiser decision whatever the reasons or purposes that we want to be or need to achieve. Never pressure or stretch out ourselves beyond our limits and capabilities. Learn how to turn out our negatives into positive outcomes. The turning point starts in our own feet to move towards the direction that we aim to attain. Appropriate mindsetting is necessary to get into the turning point indepedently.
“Hello” and “Goodbye” are still there not because of the reason that “Nothing is permanent.”, but because God is always with us permanently wherever we go and whatever we do and also saying, “Hello and Goodbye.” to us.
In the middle of pandemic due to several variants of covid19, people easily get sick tremendously. Many people are still recovering from sickness. Some of them are still in the worse medical condition due to complications. Most of the time, these people are bedridden and helpless in the hospital, quarantine facility or home quarantine.
Do you know the feelings of the patient being isolated, bedridden and helpless? Do you know also the feelings of the bedside caregiver monitoring the 24-hour medical condition of the patient? It is very tough to become a patient or a caregiver. Patients and caregivers are really experiencing physical, mental, emotional and financial pains.
Physical Pain
Medical patients are experiencing physical pains. They cannot turn over their bodies by themselves because they are so weak. Their blood cannot circulate well which may turn into bedsores and develop into skin wounds that prone to infection. They cannot open their eyes to see everything around. They cannot open their mouth to say something what they need. They cannot eat well using their mouth. Instead, they eat through nasal tubing that brings out physical discomfort. They can sense the pain while injecting the needles on their bodies. They cannot move their bodies voluntarily. They stay on their body positions for several hours.
Likewise, caregivers of these patients have physical pains too. They stay with them most of the time and monitor their health condition. They patiently lift up the patient’s body when needed. They patiently feed them and allow them sip some liquids in order to prevent dehydration. They quickly respond to the patient’s needs like changing diaper, cleansing the whole body and changing clothes.
Mental Pain
Medical patients are experiencing mental pain. They have many thoughts. They think negatively most of the time. Thoughts like what if they cannot survive. What will happen to them? Who will take good care of their families? Where are my children? Do they come?
Similarly, caregivers have mental pains too. They are worrying about the patient’s severe condition. They are thinking about what will happen next. Thoughts such as what they will tell to their families and how they will tell it. Do they feel sorry about it or just listen to what the family will say? Most of the time, caregivers are confused mentally. They cannot decide wisely on certain things.
Emotional Pain
Medical patients are experiencing emotional pain. They can only hear the voices around. They feel very sad that brings out unstoppable falling tears from their eyes. Patients know that they will die anytime. With their conscious mind, they pray silently. It is really difficult for them to leave their families, relatives and friends. It is very tough and heartbreaking process of separation in their entire life. They want to win the fight for life but they are helpless to do it.
Caregivers have emotional pains too. It is hard for them to look at the patients who are suffering from severe illnesses. They can feel the deep pain internally. They also cry and feel sad. They try to comfort the patients by all means.
Financial Pain
Medical patients and their families are experiencing financial pain. They spend much money and have developed huge debts from hospitalization costs, medical procedures, professional fees and medicines. They spend from hundreds to millions value amount of any currency. The outpatients incur medical expenses, food supplements and other necessary materials such as diapers, alcohol, bath soap and wipes.
Sometimes, caregivers are experiencing financial pain too. Most of the time, the caregivers are close relatives of the patients. If the family has poor economic condition, the caregiver usually provides the needs of the patient unselfishly. Being front liners, caregivers provide their humane services to the patients unconditionally.
It was Saturday before the sun sets in August 20, 1966 at around 6 pm when I was born in our ancestral house at Poblacion, Santa Cruz, Zambales, Philippines. This was my real birthday.
My parents were Guillermo Menes Meron (41) and Teofila Montehermoso Mas (41). Both of them were naturally born and residents of Santa Cruz, Zambales.
My Three Pillars
I spent my childhood and teenage years in my home town. I treasured wonderful and beautiful memories there. My supporting father, caring aunt and loving mother served as the three pillars of my life.
Even though, the three pillars of my life were gone one at a time, still, I really missed and loved them so much. I would like to thank, appreciate and recognize them for their unconditional love; for providing me what I need; for allowing me understand what life is and knowing its purpose.
My Journey
I spent most of my adult years in Meycauayan City, Bulacan, Philippines and some few years abroad rendering essential public services. Life experiences built up stability on me; surpassing any challenges along the way to attain my goals.
My family, friends, relatives and colleagues are always there to advise and help me. Most of all, I would like to thank God for giving me life, blessings and another year; for continuously guiding me on my journey in life.
I wish for a healthy, wealthy and happy life on my birthday.
A mother who is looking and waiting for her loving mother.
What is a Mother’s Day without your loving and caring mother? Do you know that every part of a single mother worth more than a million? Let me explain its value.
Your Head
As a single mother, you used the top of your head to carry a bundle of newly harvested rice grains for meal; a bundle of firewood for cooking or a basin of Anchovy fish for selling. You also used your head to think wisely and find right solutions for the daily problems.
Your Eyes
As a single mother, you kept your eyes to your children for their safety. You used your eyes to discipline your children. Eyes that maybe big and wide; on-focus or understanding and kind-looking to your concern. Sleepless nights in times of sickness of your children just to ensure they were safe.
Your Nose
As a single mother, you used your nose if the newly laundry clothes were smelled pleasant and if the children were smelled stinky already and they need to take a bath.
Your Ears
As a single mother, you used your ears to listen to your children and grandchildren’s amazing stories. Through your ears, you heard the sound of the roosters in the early morning wherein you rise from bed instantly to fetch up water for daily consumption.
Your Mouth
As a single mother, you used your mouth to give pieces of advice to your children and grandchildren. You taught them the right things and told them to become nice and hardworking person with brighter dreams in life.
Your Shoulder
As a single mother, you used your shoulder to carry the “Buli” bag or “Pandan” bag with fruits and vegetables inside when going home after the whole-day work in the rice field.
Your Breast
As a single mother, you breastfed your young children regularly so that they will grow healthy someday and free from any kind of illnesses.
Your Heart
As a single mother, you provided unconditional love to your children and grandchildren. You have a big heart too to your parents, brother, sisters, nephews, nieces, husband and in-laws. You knew how to accept and how to forgive persons. You really loved them so much.
Your Arms
As a single mother, you used your arms to strongly uproot the rice seedlings, transplant them on rice fields and harvest the rice grains after a few months. You used your strong arms to pound and manually mill the greener rice grains up and down then filter them using “Bilao” to make it into whiter rice grains.
Your Hands
As a single mother, you used your hands to prepare “Buli” or “Pandan” fibers, weave and design them properly into a local mat for sale. You used your hands to catch fishes along the shallow river and pick up shells on the shoreline with your siblings and children. You used your hands to wash the clothes of your children and grandchildren then press these clothes after drying. You used your hand to put the wet face towel on his/her forehead when he/she has fever. You used your hands too in giving foods to the very young children and elderly people around you.
Your Waist
As a single mother, either be sunny day or rainy day, you bent your waist the whole day while planting rice seedlings on the rice fields for a little payment or non-monetized payment of your labor instead, work exchange.
Your Hips
As a single mother, you sit on your hips almost the whole night just to weave and finish intentionally the local mat so that you can sell it then later buy some foods for your children, grandchildren and sister.
Your Legs
As a single mother, you used your legs in walking distantly about two kilometers away from your home to your work place and do the same routine when going home from work place to your home. Your legs consumed all the energy reserved in walking after the whole-day work. You also walked in going to the church to attend Holy Mass with your sisters on Saturday evening regularly. You bent your knees whenever you pray.
Your Feet
As a single mother, you used your feet not only to separate the greener rice grains from its husk but also to clean up the house floor. You used your feet to stand up firmly against all tough moments that trying to bring you down but they fail. You courageously stood still and never give up.
Thus, for this special day wherein everybody celebrates the Mother’s Day and for this special occasion wherein every member of the family comes together, what is a Mother’s Day without your loving and caring mother? What is a Mother’s Day without her presence?
In times of sorrow, can you still remember the last few words of a dying person that you love most? I would like to share with you the last few words and cries of my loving mother that might break your heart and bring your eyes into tears.
10. While on her bed, my mother said with eyes closed, “Catawan, engangaro wan Mo cami. Pano na cami a pinalsa Mo?” (Zambal)
(Tagalog) “Diyos ko, Kaawaan Mo kami. Paano na kami na nilalang Mo?”
(English) “God, have mercy on us. How about us of your creation?”
At the age of 94, my mother still remember the Almighty God who created everything. In her entire life, she frequently prayed to God and attended the Holy Mass regularly.
9. On her bed, my mother said with her eyes closed, “Indo, Caca, taganan moyo co. Indo, Caca, taganan moyo co.” “Takpan! Takpan!”(Zambal)
My mother was a good helper. She was very kind to children and elders.
2. Still on her bed, my mother said softly with eyes closed, “Abuloyon moyo co.” (Zambal)
(Tagalog) “Tulungan ninyo ako.”
(English) “Help me.”
My mother helped her family. She really loved them so much.
1. Still on her severe body condition, my mother uttered softly, “Ya.” (Zambal)
(Tagalog) “Oo.”
(English) “Yes.”
My mother had strong influential words that anybody should decide and follow. She disciplined, guided and mentored us appropriately.
My mother just nodded her head when I talked and asked her until her complete consciousness had gone.
Yes, my mother was gone but her legacy, advises, courage, greatness, kindness, faith, laughter, memories, dreams and so forth remain in our hearts as we live.
Do you believe that what you think might lead to your destination? Maybe some of you will agree while others would disagree. Whether you believe it or not, sometimes it happens to you unconsciously. Yet, you do not know the reasons after all. Here are some points to explain it further.
Your thoughts
People have different thoughts. These thoughts are created and formulated in their minds based on how they perceive and interpret certain things by observation alone. Most of the people always suggest us to think positively in order to have a positive result. Some people are always thinking negatively in advance prior to what real or what it really happens.
Your frequent thoughts might be shown up in your emotions
People with positive thoughts all the time are mostly cheerful, happy, feel satisfied, excited, confident and hopeful. On the other hand, people with negative thoughts always are mostly angry, hate certain things, feel envy, stressed, frustrated, disappointed, sad, weak, depressed and sick.
Your strong emotions might be shown up in your actions
People that show strong emotions are obviously visible through their actions. Happy people excitedly share their experiences and thoughts. Hopeful people are usually go to their churches to pray and praise God for all the blessings they had received. While angry people have common enemies. They get easily irritated and do violent actions against their enemies. They usually used curse words against them. Stressed people wanted to be alone. They blame others for their own mistakes. They have no initiative to move or they act and move slowly. They easily get sick and fell unwell most of the time. They reason out illogically and do abrupt things disorderly.
Your visible actions might be shown up in your behaviors
People with repeatedly done actions repeatedly develop into habitual behaviors unconsciously and unintentionally. People who are doing right actions according to the norms of the society and laws of the land show appropriate behaviors in any place at any time. On the other hand, people who are doing wrong actions most of the time show undesirable and unacceptable behaviors to the people living normally in the community with sets of standards norms, policies and laws.
Your shown behaviors might be developed into your characters
People with desirable or undesirable behaviors have distinct characters. People who follow laws and orders are distinctively obedient. People who are actively engaged in public service and ready to help others show kindness, friendliness, helpfulness, unselfishness, generosity, concern, love and care. On the other hand, people with undesirable behaviors are mostly disobedient, dishonest, disrespectful, stubborn, lazy, chaos, misbehaved, selfish, unfair, show jealous, envy, offensive, violent, illogical, fake, materialistic, dominant, fraud, abusive, aggressive and greed.
Your dominant characters might be shaped up into your personality
People with dominant, distinct characters develop into good or bad personality. People with good personality are definitely liked by everybody. They are liked to be their friends, companions, business partners and even life-time partners at home. They like these people because there is no conflict in between them or issues arise among them. They live happily together with peace and harmony. On the other hand, people with bad personality are strongly disliked by anybody. They often hate these people. They do not want to see them. They do not want stay with them or even work with them. According to them, living with these bad people can make their lives miserable. Thus, they just want to escape from them as soon as possible.
Your type of personality might influence your decision
Good people or bad people have certain decision in life. The decision of the good people after thorough critical analysis on certain things relies absolutely on the welfare or benefits of everybody. They decide fairly, wisely and righteously. They consider Church teachings, state laws and rules of conduct, norms, environment, causes and effects, human rights and privileges in their decision-making process before giving the final decision. On the other hand, the decision of bad people depends on their own vested interest alone. They never mind other’s decision. Bad people discriminate and dominate them.
Your firm decision might lead into your purpose
People’s decision has its own purpose. For the welfare of the entire humanity is the purpose of the good people. The love of God, fellowmen and environment is the priority or primary concern of the good people. On the other hand, greed and power is the purpose of the bad people. They want to control everything including humans.
Your own purpose in life might lead towards your destination
People’s goals and objectives in life are counted and considered by either righteousness of God or deceiving-character of Evil. Indeed, good people once they died, their soul will surely go to heaven and sits beside the Lord. They will have eternal happiness and serenity. On the other hand, bad people once they died, their souls will surely proceed to the hell with the Devil. They will have everlasting sufferings and restlessness.
Thoughts to Destination
Therefore, what do you think now? Do you think positively or negatively? Whatever you are thinking every now and then, this might be your own destination later on. Just remember: “What you think is what your destination.”
Life has several meanings to everyone. Its meanings vary from one person to another. The lives of the newly born baby and the old-age grandmother are quite different from the lives of active and functional people. Life is too short for persons who loved by their fellowmen. Life is too long for persons who were hated by their countrymen. Life is beautiful for people who are experiencing prosperity, good health, massive wealth, unlimited power and influence. But to people with sickness and who are experiencing poverty, discrimination, inequality and unfair practices, life is miserable.
Life does not exist without the essentials elements that can sustain it. The existence of life is the primary subject of human study of all time. Life creates a purpose. This purpose serves as the framework of any living organism. Life has a beginning and an end. The quality of life depends on its purpose. Success in life does not rely on its length but rather on the quality of time and means on how they spend it.
Life is significantly meaningful if the person knows how to value it. People should know how to understand what life is. They should also know its origin and whom they owe it. They can reflect its possible positive or negative consequences in the near future. Thus, whatever it is, what is really life to you?
Thanks God, I am still alive,
Coz I have the mission to survive,
And have the human rights for life.
They need my presence and tender, loving care,
Thus, they always ready to support my basic needs.
Thanks God, I am still alive,
To breathe the fresh air and hear the sound of the wind,
To see the raindrops falling on the green leaves,
To smell the favorite foods on the table,
And ready to eat fruits and drink milk any time.
Thanks God, I am still alive.
To hear the Holy Mass every Sunday,
To strengthen my faith on Him and receive His blessings,
To glorify and praise Him because of the wonderful things,
That He had given to me including my own life.
“I am telling you. Be kind to others. Help others who need your help. God bless you.”
Hands-on 