Favourite. It’s a secret.

I have so many nephews and nieces that it’s difficult to choose a favourite. So, when one of them asks me who my favourite child is, I whisper to his or her ear, “You are. Keep it a secret. Your cousins will be jealous.”

London

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you

How do you express relief

We have in a state of being anxious, happy and excited about something upcoming anticipating when someone is coming. We are thrilled and looking forward for the first time. … My nephew waited with great anticipation for Thanksgiving to arrive. Thanksgiving came 2 days ahead.

Her name is London. I will nickname her England.

Mrs. Chuchi Siglos Seal No. 0340

I still have my mother’s certificate dated 29th day of February 1972 presented to her by Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish.

My siblings gave this to me when mother died mainly because my mom has a devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and named me after Our Lady.

I really wouldn’t know what to do with this. I like the golden old fashion seal with a green ribbon.

Family

Five days went by.
Another day of waiting.
Patience is golden.

There are three pregnancies in our family.

AJ, my niece, was eleven days overdue. She gave birth in August.

Next is MS, her due date was September 19.

Last is KL, due date sometime in October.

Landscape

Wide lens are good to keep everything in focus especially when taking panoramic landscapes.

How about a family reunion? Good thing not everybody was present. We barely made it in.

Thank goodness for my brother, the photographer bringing in his professional camera.

Cast in Stone

 A photo taken 33 years ago in Manila reminds me how sad and brave my grandmothers were as they bid us farewell for our journey to Vancouver.  After final blessings, embraces, and tears, we boarded the plane with suitcases crammed full of everything we could bring from our old life.  Everything except my cherished umbrella which we had somehow neglected to pack.  I loved that umbrella the way other four-year-olds treasure dolls or teddy bears.  My new friends were mystified by my broken spirit and broken English.  I did not know the word for umbrella.  “My payong, my payong.”  I repeated woefully.  I wanted the umbrella that had sheltered me from the hot sun. 

I wanted to escape this strange place where umbrellas held the wind and rain at bay.  As I got older the memory of my umbrella drizzled away.  I planned my getaway: Paris, Tel Aviv, New Delhi … even Toronto.  Anywhere but rainy, boring Vancouver.  Like my parents, I sought a better life elsewhere.  Unlike them, elsewhere left me disappointed.  I yearned for the seawall and for Granville Island and salad rolls.  In my homesick mind, I heard the seagulls at Kits Beach, and breathed in the deep green peace of a day spent at UBC.  I longed to smell the cedar tree in the backyard of my childhood in Marpole, and to taste the vegetables my parents tend there.  I ached for Vancouver. 

Today, I show the photo, taken all those years and countless lost umbrellas ago, to my husband and children.  I will leave umbrellas behind, but I don’t forget where I have been or how far I traveled to get here.  Once it was a distant destination promised in a photograph.  Now it is the place I love and call home.  ~ Bernadette Gonzales McGrath 

The story of Bernadette is in two places.  One in Marpole, close to where she used to live, attached to a lamp-post.  The second is a monumental rock where each word is cast in stone, at Queen Elizabeth Park, a forever chiseled story cast in stone. A masterpiece. 

Bernadette and I are cousins.

 

Bonded

When people asked me if I’m busy at work, I proudly say, of course, I have so many paper clips to rearrange by size to colour.

Ever heard the old adage “if you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough?” Paperclip Law

The many uses of paper clips.

Oh!.? I’m not hanging in there.

The rest is details

I want to know God,
The rest is details.

We chose to stay at home to be surrounded by love ones.

Photographers and people who have let themselves be photographed assume that someday people will see their images and do something in response to what they see, she argues. They imagined you, their future viewer, hovering above them at the moment the picture was taken, and you must live up to their expectations.

 Azoulay  asks her readers to project themselves into the scenes of photographs, to notice the power dynamics at play, to identify the participants, and to view the outcomes not as inevitable but as one possibility among many. Looking at photographs this way, Azoulay thinks, can loosen events from their seeming inevitability and reveal that history didn’t have to proceed the way it did. Things could have been different. Viewing a photograph becomes a kind of reanimation: the still photograph begins to move, and though this motion cannot erase inequality, it can trouble oppression that might otherwise seem intractable. Azoulay understands that actions in the past are irreversible, yet she insists that photography introduces a kind of malleability, the potential for change. “The photograph is out there, an object in the world,” she writes, “and anyone, always (at least in principle), can pull at one of its threads and trace it in such a way as to reopen the image and renegotiate what it shows, possibly even completely overturning what was seen in it before.

Quotes source: How We Should Respond to Photographs of Suffering

Christmas Time

Stonehenge, UK.

Today is Winter Solstice marks the beginning of winter. It is the shortest day that celebrates light triumphing over darkness, and as the day ends, we prepare for a new year.

In 2018, we welcomed the winter solstice at Stonehenge, UK. We said goodbye to long days of darkness and rejoice in the coming of Christmas.

Lights of Hope

Let there be Light of Hope is the message of St. Paul’s Hospital Church. It’s the time of year that we remind the Star of Bethlehem shone brightly to light up the path for the three wise men. This year, the Star of Bethlehem will be visible on the horizon. Jupiter and Saturn will align in the night sky on Dec. 21, also referred to as the “Christmas Star” — marking the planets’ closest encounter in nearly 400 years. The two planets may appear as a bright light point that will be easily visible in the night sky.

Christmas Decorations

Every year, my sister sets up Christmas decorations for the children equipped with Santa’s workshop, electric train, angels, snow, christmas carols. Here’s little Jimmie is so proud to show off his twinkle toes.

Little born Henrik

To see a baby snuggly ensconced with a knitted baby blanket smiling in his sleep is the centerpiece that makes the Christmas atmosphere peaceful. But in reality, we were all gogo-gaga around Henrik, making noises to wake him so that we can all take turns to carry and play with him.

We are a family

Family: A crazy bunch of people who deeply care for each other, who live, laugh, forgive, dance and love together.

Mother

I think this is the last Christmas photo of my mother. Christmas for us is all about celebrating the birth of Infant Jesus.

Susan Hauck at the Church of Nativity, Holy Land

My sister is a Jesus freak in a good way. Here she is at the Church of Nativity carrying Infant Jesus. She managed to have her photo taken before the guardian of the church said to the crowd that the statue is off-limits to visitors. Too funny, that she was the only one who got away with holding the infant. When it comes to telling me the story, it’s really difficult for her to share stories of miracles about her experiences as a servant of Infant Jesus.

The center of the holiday season in my family is Christ-mas. It’s all about the birth of Jesus whether we lose faith, we always return to Him.

On Christmas, we gather around telling tales, jokes, memories, eating, drinking, singing. There is one great story of my sister Susan on lost and found.

One thing that I find miraculous is when I lost my mini statue in Mexico in 1997. While in Mexico, I went to church daily and prayed to Our Lady of Guadalupe that I want my Baby Jesus back. I was so heartbroken leaving Mexico without him. Many years passed, in 1999, my friend contacted me if I am interested in receiving bales of clothing coming from Montreal for free. My first thought was it would be great to sell them for fundraising to pay for Novena booklets’ production. So I accepted 19 bales of clothing. I discovered when I opened the bales, they were second-hand clothing and not brand new. I was disappointed, left the clothes for three months, and did not do anything about them. My daughter and her friends opened two bales just for fun to check them out. My daughter found some clothing for her and left it on the kitchen table. I moved the clothes to another area of the house, and something fell off. It was a mini statue of the Infant, and I just put it with the rest of my alter. This happened on Holy Thursday. On Easter Sunday morning, I was praying the rosary. When I reached the 4th mystery, The Presentation of Child Jesus at the Temple, I heard a voice: “I came back to you.” I ignored it and returned to my prayers. As I recited the 5th Joyful Mystery, “Finding Jesus in the Temple,” I heard the voice again: “I came back to you. Remember, you’ve lost me?” When I listened to this, I remembered the statue that fell off from the clothing, and I quickly went down to look at it. When I honestly look at the figure, my Baby Jesus I lost in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, three years ago. I checked all the clothing tags to appease me, and it said: “Made in Mexico.” With the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Baby Jesus came back to me.

Christmas 2019

From my family to yours, we wish everyone a Blessed Christmas. We made it this far!

.

A life for life. A wonderful ending.

Listening to my elders, sharing their war stories fascinates me. I enjoy knowing the gory details and understanding how they came to live a full life after the war. My Uncle “Tito Jess” is the best story-teller ever. In my … Continue reading →

Thanks Again, John

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to reach out to everyone here at OLPH and say thank you!

Thank you for your kind messages, wisdom, thoughts, prayers, and support; it has really made a difference in my life during these difficult past few weeks. Me and my family truly appreciate the support and prayers, and we will never forget that. I feel very fortunate and blessed to have the OLPH community by my side throughout this all.

Thank you to Lora for Sandra for your sincere understanding.

Thank you to Lyn and Gail and anyone else who helped organize a beautiful bouquet of flowers to be sent to my Mother.

From OLPH Staff

My family is very blessed to have had my Dad!

James Lochhead Logan Lovingly Remembered

 

Jim Logan Lovingly Remembered

I hope you don’t mind I share some photos with you all.

Mom and the Logan siblings

It feels great to be back in the building with our wonderful students, by the way.

The Logans

Thanks again and have a great rest of your week.

Graduation: UBC-Bachelor of Education, CapU-Bachelor of Jazz Music

Family outing

Dad and I

John Logan,
Music Teacher, Pre K-7

Dear Dad, Thank you for making us happy. Love, Lucy

My dad was a humble man. Well-travelled, well-loved, and simply well lived. Although his successes in life include travelling the world, finding love that lasted near 40 years, and having 6 kids, he never boasted about his life accomplishments. As I now rest in the wake of my dad’s death, I think about how he was a man of few words.

Often times, I find myself exhibiting my dad’s characteristics, especially when it comes to a shortage of words. In the days since my father’s passing, I have been hesitant to share this part of my life with others, even concealing it from some of my close friends. It wasn’t that the grief was too heavy to talk about, but rather that I couldn’t find the words to properly explain how I was feeling.

As the youngest sibling, my relationship with my dad was different than the rest of my family’s. When my older siblings had all moved out, I remained home with my parents. On days when my mom would work, I’d be left home alone with dad. We’d both do our own things, never speaking much except for when we’d share a meal. Words between us were rarely ever needed. Instead, it was my father’s calming and gentle presence that always made me feel secure. It’s funny to think about how the most mundane memories are ones I cherish the most.

When the day came for us to say our final goodbyes, I was eager for words. I felt as though I needed to say the perfect things in order for him to forgive me for the years of lost communication. It wasn’t until after he passed that I understood how wrong that mindset was.

When I reflect on our relationship, it is not the conversations had that bring me peace. Instead, it was his presence. It was being at home and knowing I was safe there with him. It was knowing he was proud of me. It was knowing that he would support me in whatever I wanted to do. It was feeling his love instead of hearing it. It was knowing I would never be alone.

Thinking about adjusting to life without my dad is scary. For the first time in my life, my mom will go to work, and I will be home alone. Although physically, he won’t be there, I still know his gentle presence will always look over me. I know that even now after he’s gone, I will never be alone.

Rummaging through old mementoes of my parents and their shared love has inspired me. I came across one card my dad gave to my mom. She always said that he would never write her long or extravagant messages, but the short notes he did write held so much love. The one card I found read,

“Thanks for making me happy.”

Lucy and Dad, Grad Night

I now know I inherited my father’s minimalistic love language. Knowing that, if I could say one more thing to my dad, it would simply be:

Dear dad, thanks for making us happy. Love, Lucy.

Celebration of Life

Good afternoon.

I want to start by saying thank you to all of our family and friends. Thank you for all the condolences, prayers, phone calls, texts, emails, memories shared, flowers delivered to Mom, food dropped at the house, and every assistance and support provided to our family. To know our Dad touched these many lives give us feelings of peace and happiness, in this difficult time. I also want to say thank you to the St. Joesph church, who have accommodated us on short notice in these unprecedented times.

In the days since our Dad, Jim Logan, passed away, we have gathered, shared memories, stories and prayers. We have cried together, and we have laughed together. Through this all, I had the opportunity to reflect on his life. And as I asked family and friends to help paint the full portrait of our Dad, several themes began to emerge. Themes of kindness, generosity, humility, and family. Themes that weave together to reveal the fabric of a good life, measured not in time or material things, but in the love and opportunity created for those left behind. So although there are sadness and mourning, this is also a time to honour and celebrate his amazing life. A life that has ultimately been defined by family and the legacy that endures in them.

Jim was born James Lochhead Logan, in Wellington, New Zealand. He grew up about 50 kilometres north, in a town called Paraparaumu, on the Kapiti Coast. His parents, James Logan senior and Mother Phyllis, had earlier immigrated from Scotland to New Zealand to escape the war. Jim was the youngest of 5 children, and with an age gap to his older siblings, he was always considered the baby of the family. Now…we all know Jim had a passion for golf, but it is important to understand where this came from.

The Logan family lived in a house backing onto the ninth hole of Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club. This is a renowned and hallowed golf course, considered to be one of the top links-style courses in the Southern Hemisphere, and has played host to many professional tournaments. Golf was in the blood. Jim’s parents and siblings were competitive golfers, winning many tournaments and club championships. Jim’s youth was spent hopping the fence to play with his family and friends. Jim would also earn money working as a caddie for some of the wealthy members and a few famous professional golfers who passed through. Jim became an excellent golfer in his own right, competing with family and friends and winning junior tournaments. The game taught him many principles and values that would carry with him his entire life.

The young Jim Logan had other interests as well, such as rugby and cars. He purchased his first car at age 18, a Morris 8 Convertible. According to his childhood friends, his Mother loved this car, and when he took her for a drive around town, she would smile from ear to ear. At the age of 19, Jim left New Zealand for Canada, following his brother Jock in search of new adventures and career opportunities.

Jim arrived in Toronto in 1969. He spent several years working at a bank before applying to a job at Canadian Pacific Airlines. This involved re-locating West, and he moved to Vancouver in 1974. Jim would share a house in Richmond with several of his new colleagues at CP Air, which they dubbed the Aztec hotel. His work colleagues would become his best and life long friends, some of whom are here today. Jim would go on to work in the airline industry for 31 years. His job gave him the opportunity to travel the world. He always had exciting stories, exotic foods, and gifts for us when he came home from trips.

As children, we were incredibly fortunate to frequently travel on airplanes to new destinations. Dad loved Hawaii, and our family trips to the Islands would become a hallmark of our family memories.

Jim met Evelyn Siglos at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver, in 1978. Jim was shy and reserved, Evelyn was the complete opposite. She complimented him perfectly, coaxing the fun and humorous side of his personality, and it was true love. After Mom finished nursing school, they married on September 26, 1981. They had six children, which, I believe, is a sign of a happy and devoted marriage. Many people who would meet and get to know Dad would say, “I never would have expected you to have six kids,” to which Dad would reply, “I’m not sure how it happened… “ Being a relatively new father myself, I often ask myself, how he did he do it?…

Well…I think we all know the answer to that question. Our Dad’s best fortune in life was meeting our Mom. She was his bedrock, his guiding light, and she has shown incredible strength and grace in the time since he has passed. We love you, Mom.

I believe Dad’s greatest passion was being a Father.

As the oldest sibling, I can remember eagerly awaiting his phone calls from the hospital to proudly announce the newest sister or brother in our growing family. He was involved in school, sports, scouting, travel, camping, fishing, and any interest his children displayed. Everything he did was for his family. The time Dad invested watching and driving us to activities is infinite. He was funny, a great storyteller, and a good listener. Being a grandfather was a feather in his cap. He adored his grandchildren, spending lots of time with them, and always asking Mom for the daily pictures or videos we had to share.

My time and words here cannot do full justice to our Dad’s life. We take comfort, knowing his story continues in his children and grandchildren. Children and grandchildren who carry on his name and traditions.

If anyone here has stories of our Dad they wish to share, please approach any of us after mass, we would be grateful to hear them.

We love you, Dad. We know you are in heaven now. Please watch over us, until the time that we will see you again.

Thank you.

Note:
This is the first time the church opens its door to the public as part of re-opening due to COVID. We are blessed and fortunate to celebrate my brothers-in-law, Jim Logan, Mass of Christian Burial.

We were allowed to have maximum 50 people including the body of Jim in the church. Having a big family, we cannot accommodate them all.

Needless to say, we gathered mostly in prayers by using Zoom. The funeral was lived streamed via Facebook. All something new.

Thank you for the new technology, over 500 viewed the video from all parts of the world that joined us celebrating the life of Jim Logan.

 

It’s A Wonderful Life

Jim Logan Celebration of Life
Produced by Angelo Siglos

Angels in disguise

On angel’s wings spiral to heaven.

 

Dad

Rest in Peace

A break in the clouds
Beams of light, splintered, ethereal
Streaming, intently, boundless, welcomed through a window, resting
A comfortable bed
Radiant skin, a relaxed brow
White hair, flowing from seasoned winds, invisible

Strength
Serenity
Gathering

Peace

It’s peace
It’s the peace that comes from a full life
It’s the peace that comes from growing up in a place
A place that is pure, untouchable, in memory
It’s the peace that comes from a long and happy youth, defined by a game
A game of character, honour, tradition
A tradition that is observed, taught and passed
It’s a peace that comes from knowledge of places and things, of travel and culture, of here and there, of curiosity, experience and adventure
It’s a peace that comes from brothers and sisters
It’s a peace that comes from friendships that endure
It’s a peace that comes that comes from true love, of partnership, of a life together
It’s a peace that comes from children
It’s a peace that comes from grandchildren
It’s a peace that comes from teaching, patience, and virtue
It’s the peace of intangible wealth
It’s the peace of family, of legacy, of chapters still to be written
It’s the peace of knowing…we will be together once again, and forever

Love you Dad

by Gregory Logan (2020-05-23)

The only way to celebrate.

When it comes to birthday, we do not wait for anyone to remember our birthdays. We make sure that everyone knows it. This is a Filipino tradition. Traditionally speaking, we throw our own party, invite as many people as we … Continue reading →

Crystal Clear

”No one is ever born into life alone. Everyone has shared the bond of family, at least at birth, and for many people, it is a bond that will follow them throughout life. For many people, it is the most essential bond of all.”

I was lucky enough to have in my life a family filled with love, compassion, acceptance, and tolerance. I am what I am as a direct result of a family life where belonging is imperative.  It is gratifying to my health and one of the reasons why I am still alive.  Without my family’s caring nature, I cannot conceive living alone.

Reflection 25 years ago

When I was younger, I tagged along with my sister, her husband, and two boys.  Have a van, and we travelled anywhere. I was more than welcome to join since I can chop woods and carry water on top of being a babysitter. Stopping on a pristine crystal clear rocky river bed to cool off on the way to the campground is always part of the fun.

Reflection of my 17-year-old nephew

I used to drive the children around and take them on a field trip.  Sometimes, I am the one that takes them out for the weekend of cub scouts or brings the boys along on a camping trip without the parents.  Yes, they trusted me with their children.  Trust is essential.

Years flew by, and I am the one being driven around by their fifth child. Making a short conversation so that I don’t distract him while driving, I asked: “Aren’t you much too young to drive as a sixteen-year-old?”  He quickly exclaimed: “I’m seventeen years old!”  “Oh, pardon me, young man,” I responded.  His father beside him was chuckling while he teaches his son to drive. No, I wasn’t scared of a young person driving me home.  I trust him.

Reflection of a one and half-year-old child

Life is all about the play when I am with my sister’s grandson. At his age, everything is magical, even playing hide and seek behind a jug of water. ROAR, he screamed as he was trying to scare me with his dinosaur sound.

Through thick and thin, our family will pass the bonding to the younger generation. I am hopeful that we have shown them the importance of forming an intimate family unit as a cornerstone of our existence.

With Love from London

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It was the year 2017 that London called me to spend Christmas with my niece. She lives in the UK and her family was going for a visit. Off I went for a ride. As it happened that year, London … Continue reading →

I can only imagine

What does serenity look like? I can only imagine. Can we tell the sex of the baby during pregnancy without checking the ultrasound? Do I use blue or pink when I knit a baby blanket? “Lord, grant me the Serenity … Continue reading →

In One’s Element

It is such a fantastic campsite that they look forward to spending the week together every year. It’s a tradition that we started when the children were younger. This area is surrounded by mountains, lakes and trees. All five elements: … Continue reading →

Family Portrait

SO when the kids finished their higher learning, feeling all grown up, want to be independent, get a job and have an actual relationship outside their home. Two got married, two playing house with their partners, one living close to campus … Continue reading →

A letter to Mom: Do you love me?

Victoria Easter 1991

no matter how old she is,
no matter how far she is,
no matter where life takes her,
she always loves her Mom.

How to Age Gracefully

Advice from an older person to a younger one. My favorites: No matter what anyone says, stay weird. Go easy on the makeup. You’re not as ugly as you think. Always be kind to your family. You’ll need each other … Continue reading →

‘Tis the season for Red

Mark your calendar, February 5 is Chinese New Year. Red lanterns will be floating all over the place, red packet of envelopes, red dress, red dragons, anything, and everything red. 2019 is the year of the Pig. I did find some … Continue reading →

Family Portrait

The children’s attention is all fixed to the sky on this field trip anticipating for the airshow. There is so much story to this picture that brings nostalgia to my soul. “Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and … Continue reading →

Family Portrait

It was a time for the community to gather together as a family during the Vancouver Mural Festival.  A half block of the building surface is free for all to “write graffiti” The writings on the wall indicate good thoughts … Continue reading →

Family Portrait

Just chillaxing with my children.

Life is grand.

All We Ever Wanted

As adults, all we ever wanted to see for the younger generation is to be happy. We try. Hard. We provide them with plenty of love, faith, hope, affection, play, safety nets, education, good manners, teach them how to say … Continue reading →

Family Portrait

  What is a family? Typically, a standard family consists of mom, dad and child. Some would number their family as 1.5 or 2.5 which I do not understand where the point 5 comes from. Others would prefer to have … Continue reading →

Where is Thelma?

Finding Thelma is just like looking for Waldo. She is all over the map and too tiny to see. Tiny is an understatement. She could be standing in front of me and not see her within my eye level. I … Continue reading →

I can’t do the math.

I have to ask the QOTD on my Facebook.  “Who’s birthday is it today?” I am having a senior moment. Thank goodness, someone in my family has more memory than I do. My oldest sibling Myrna is turning a year … Continue reading →

Tag, You’re It!

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Meanwhile, in Canada, a bulletin board:  Parents, tag you’re it! Love Teachers. We have a teacher in our family, and she is coming home for the summer. Warning: Parents, aunties, uncles, and cousins, watch out, our lovely teacher is coming … Continue reading →

In The World But Not Of It

It’s magnificent to see a salmon run. A sacred journey when they return to where they were born to spawn a new generation. Salmon is a keystone species. Keystone species are those who have an extremely high impact on a … Continue reading →

Finale

In North America, Christmas is short-lived ending on Boxing Day. But our family, Christmas does not end until the arrival of Three Kings. That is a Filipino tradition that we must have learned under the tutelage of Spanish. When it … Continue reading →

The thing is we never stop growing

Thing 1 is showing me “Look Miss Pretty, I’m a big boy now.” Jimmy is so proud that he wears real clothes, no more of those one-size-fits-all mummy looking designer stuff that he was bundled up. He outgrew them all. … Continue reading →

The Gift

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Just looking at Layla sleeping gives everyone in my family this blissful feeling …. best gift christmas gift ever, the gift of life.

Elegance

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Vision of elegance after giving birth at 1215 AM on December 11, 2017 to an 8 pounder baby girl, sister of Jimmy.

I love my baby butt.

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Such a lovely room of the baby. A serene place just to look at all the decoration and will pacify the mind of a crying baby wanting to suckle the breast for milk and feel the bosom of the mother. … Continue reading →

Anytime. Every time.

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i thank You God for most this amazing day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes (i who have died am … Continue reading →

On Bathing

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Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children. Last of all … Continue reading →

For the future generation

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Joshua came into her dream. In a grocery store, I was trying to reach a 2 litter Dr. Pepper from the top shelf. A hand came from behind me and said “I gotcha mum”. It was Josh. He told me … Continue reading →

A Certain Smile

Joshua Edward Spackman Siglos

Do you smile to tempt a lover, Mona Lisa?
Or is this your way to hide a broken heart?
Many dreams have been brought to your doorstep
They just lie there and they die there

Last night, my family and I were looking at Josh’s photo and I said, he has that certain smile. A Mona Lisa’s smile.

Is his smile happy or sad? I would like to think that his smile is unequivocally happy. It’s not rocket science. Being surrounded by his family loving him to bits and unconditionally, of course, he is happy.

Even his eyes, the eyes will follow us no matter where we are in the room. A gaze that will make you wonder, what is he thinking? Again, happy or crappy thoughts? His thought is brilliant, a gifted mind.

We wish he is here with us to ask him: Hey Josh, what do you think of your photo? What is the meaning of your smile?

The answer will remain a mystery, more mysterious than Mona Lisa.

Josh Siglos died at a young age of 31 on April 28, 2017.

White roses and gloves

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They look so handsome wearing suit and tie to serve their mom, Lorena. Lorena’s three sons wore a rose boutonniere and white gloves as pallbearers to bring her casket to the church, then back to the funeral parlor for the … Continue reading →

Mother and Son

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Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.  ~ W H Auden Did your mom give … Continue reading →

Love of a son

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Losing a mother is a pain that cannot be described in words. It is impossible to move on from the memory of losing the woman who sacrificed happiness in her own life so that you could have a better one. … Continue reading →

The Gift of Prayer

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We have just finished our third night of prayer for our dearly beloved, Lorena when her sister’s mother-in-law followed Lorena’s footsteps. Now, we have to remember the mother-in-law in our prayers as well. Tonight will be the sixth evening that is extra … Continue reading →

Respectful Woman – a Superhero

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  I suppose for a child, adult seems to be larger than life and that’s how my nephew, Carlos, drew his mom. Tall, colorful clothing with beautiful red smiling lips. As for the arms, I don’t know why they turned … Continue reading →

It’s a wrap!

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Cats have the ability to bounce back as if nothing ever bad happened to them especially when it comes to wrapping papers, bows and newspapers. It’s pretty hard to keep them away and start preparing the presents for Christmas. One … Continue reading →

The Perfect Card

Looking for a perfect card that will match the person’s personality can be a challenge especially for my sister who never ever change. She epitomizes the word sameness. That is, the same hair style for all those years.

She wears her hair on a bun!

Her hair is naturally long and black. Lucky person, no white hair for a 70-year-old. Unlike me, my hair is arctic white. I must have received all the white genes in our family.

As for a birthday card, we found the perfect image of her.

I kid you not, when we were younger, we ‘teased’ her hair to create a beehive.

Happy Birthday, sister.

Cardiac Delight is Not on the Menu

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Once you’ve tried our traditional Filipino food, that’s it! You are hooked and you’ll be dreaming of it and not white Christmas. Allow me to show you what’s was on my plate in one of our festivals. This makes me … Continue reading →

The …t9ers Celebration

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It started with an invitation for dinner at a Chinese restaurant, then another invitation for breakfast the following day. And then… At my age, my diet is becoming simpler, mostly boiled, broiled or baked. Also late night dinners are iffy … Continue reading →

Do animals go to heaven?

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“If my dear pet can’t be with me, then I can’t be there.” Source: Franciscan Media Image: CIA de foto.

Please ask me.

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My family used to have a habit of asking me why am I still single. Being asked so much, I learned to be creative with my responses to these inquisition. Now, it’s rare they question my status. Rare

We are more alike than unalike

Skip the cherry.

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My niece is a professional baker. She found a prodigy, little Jimmie, to take over her profession. Got to start them young, you know. Cupcake is Jimmie’s all time favorite with icing and M&M’s on top. Jimmie’s main instruction was … Continue reading →

Don’t Look Up!

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Going out for dinner, ordering ethnic food that we were brave enough to order and try to eat what we ordered. NOT! Look Up

Family Portrait

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Partners

Word of the day

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The word for the day is ideate in Miriam-Webster dictionary. Looking at the word, breaking it down to syllables and think about it to form what it means in my head first is the game I play without jumping into the meaning. I … Continue reading →

The Problem of Belonging: Being a Catholic in a Big Family

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We are a family of 13 and we are Catholic. I happen to be the tenth in line and drop in the bucket in Catholic community. As a younger sister, the rule is to listen to your elders. be respectful and … Continue reading →

Then and Now

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To keep the younger generations interested what was ‘Then’, we hanged our dirty laundry for show and tell. Now, they are so tickled to see what was then. Good times, good times. https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/now

The happiest table at home

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It is a gradual change of transition as we waited patiently with anticipation when the happiest table in our house is redecorated. The decoration then was pumpkin, Chinese lantern flowers and golden maple leaves on Thanksgiving Day. Now the table … Continue reading →

The only way to celebrate.

When it comes to birthday, we do not wait for anyone to remember our birthdays. We make sure that everyone knows it. This is a Filipino tradition. Traditionally speaking, we throw our own party, invite as many people as we … Continue reading →

Mission on the Hills and Valleys

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The beauty of the space nourished by temperate climate is what makes this place conducive to live permanently or a travel destination to enjoy the many amenities of the Okanagan Valley. From the balcony, I could see the Mission Hill … Continue reading →

Half and Half Makes Two

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Arithmetically, two halves make one. But when it comes to relationships, one has to be a whole person before uniting as one. This is a photo of a newly wed. This is a photo of a married couple renewing their … Continue reading →

I can sing a rainbow

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Look Miss Pretty, me and my GG (gorgeous grandma) are beautiful colourful flowers, said baby Jimmy as I took photos of them under the Holy Garden. And what colour are you as a boy? I asked. Blue, I am blue. Blue … Continue reading →

Breaking News

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Every day, I receive at least three e-mail breaking news alert from New York Times. This kind of news means a broken world. I simply read the headline and carry on with my simple life. But when different breaking news … Continue reading →

Proud Moments

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Red, white and blue Stars over you Mama said Papa said You will make it through. So proud that he finished his degree carrying his newborn son on the podium and holding his diploma. “Enveloped” with pride? Who wouldn’t be?

Never let your Mother’s name fade away.

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Mother and Father are two of the most important people in our lives. Together they fell in love, married, procreate and gave us this life we have. They raised us to the best of their abilities hoping that one day … Continue reading →

In Praise of Mother: A Legacy of a Selfless Person

I really do not know much about Mother. My siblings have asked her numerous times to write her story. If she can’t write maybe, she can record her memoir. They gave her a recorder. Thinking that she might do it, … Continue reading →

Because We Are Girls

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Because we are girls Father wants us to stay home Because we are girls Mother wants us to be free Because we are girls Father does not want us to go to school Because we are girls Mother wants us to … Continue reading →

The Promise I made to Myself

When it comes to children, I try to keep the quiet promises I made to myself and not let them know. I promised that I will post this video and today is the day. A Charlie Brown Christmas music played … Continue reading →

Twinkle Toes

Little Jimmy came running up to me with a big hug, kisses and excitedly said:

“Look Miss Pretty, twinkle toes!”

He was so proud showing off his dinosaurs slippers.

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Twinkle.”

The Wild One

AC does not want me to think that he is still playing with stuff animal as I mentioned in this post.  So he sent me more evidence that this is what he does in his one and wild precious life in Thailand.

To prove his point that he is not the baby but the Tiger. Note the long line up on the right of the monk. Many are experiencing this one and wild precious life.

Here kitty, kitty, kitty: BREAKFAST!

…. Tell me,

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… Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one and wild precious life? ~ Mary Oliver Asking AC a serious question is difficult. It’s hard to get a straight answer from him. The question is what … Continue reading →

A life for life

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Listening to my elders, sharing their war stories fascinates me. I enjoy knowing the gory details and understanding how they came to live a full life after the war. My Uncle “Tito Jess” is the best story-teller ever. In my … Continue reading →

Some things are meant to be

Let’s pretend we’re riding on a kite. Let’s imagine we’re flying through the air! We’ll ascend until we’re out of sight. Light as paper, we’ll soar! Let’s be wild, up high above the sand, feel the wind, the world at … Continue reading →

Bleeding Hearts

“Three midgets walk into the Guinness Book of Records building …” The first line of the joke lit up his face with a smile. That’s all he can do for he couldn’t move much any of his muscles. It was … Continue reading →

Dreams do come true.

Thanksgiving celebration feels like Christmas and Easter to me. It’s the sharing, giving and gratitude. Where I came from, Philippines, it’s not part of a tradition since every day is Thanksgiving Day.  Now that we are in Canada, we embrace … Continue reading →

I can’t read signs. I ask.

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Curiosity is in my nature. I wonder most of the times what my nephews and nieces are up to than their parents.  They are no longer children that I used to take on a field trips; they are now young … Continue reading →

Draw me something

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“I want to be a paleontologist.” “A paleonto what?” “I love dinosaurs and I want to take care of them.” “Well, you love Barney, Bamm-Bamm and Dino in Flintstones.  That’s only cartoons; besides dinosaurs are extinct. There are no more … Continue reading →

Rose Garden

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“At last you’ve left and gone to the invisible: How marvellous the way you Quit this world. You ruffled your feathers and, Breaking free of your cage, You took to the air, bound for Your soul’s world… A love-sick nightingale … Continue reading →

The apple of my eyes

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Such a pretty face, such a pretty smile, the apple of my eyes: Michael. He had me wrap around his little fingers; fingers as we played the song “inky winky spider went up the water-spout” When I baby sat him … Continue reading →

I am not your Mother

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There were many games we played, many songs I sang to lull you to sleep, ate gallons of ice cream and told the same stories over and over.  We tickled each other, tricked one another to a pretend cry spell, … Continue reading →

Everyone is a teacher

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Johnnie, my nephew, was asked to do an informal speech for the graduates.  It’s remarkable to hear what he shared with his classmates and being in a private Catholic school, everything is faith centered. “The amount of good because of … Continue reading →

Farewell to the Graduates

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I am living my life vicariously from looking at the photos of the graduates this year in my family.  When I graduated, I have vague memories of it.  I think I skipped the graduation for reason unknown.  It must be … Continue reading →

Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not)

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Do you like to touch or do you like to be touch? Some people cannot help but touch.  That’s just the way they were born.  It just happened that we have one sweet person in our family that loves to … Continue reading →

The Art of Selfie: Call me Miss Pretty.

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On a beautiful autumn day, one cannot help but feel good and pretty inside.  Taking photos of the most colourful neighbourhood, a few people had the same idea as me.  It was amusing to watch some of them taking a … Continue reading →

Lost

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What do you mean lost?  I asked my baby brother. I was asking for one of his photographs so I can zero on him.  He studied photography and entered some of his pictures and won an award. In 1987, he … Continue reading →

Tenth Month of the Year

The month of October is big in our family, too many birthday celebrations.  By the end of the month, there goes my savings.  Mother and Father must have been so busy just after Christmas and New Year’s.  Did I count the gestational months correctly?  Nine months of incubation, right?

The first three consecutive days of October 1-2-3 followed by October 10, 17, 28, 30 are the days of birth.  I know I’ve missed some dates.

To top this, Canada celebrates Thanksgiving Day the second Monday of October the same as USofA.  Thank goodness, we abolished adult birthday celebrations and gift giving except for children.

We celebrate Thanksgiving Day instead to be thankful for the gift of family.  There is just too much love going around, can’t get enough of it, not to mention food.

This year there will be an extra celebration because my niece will be graduating from University.  

Celebration might be postponed at the later part of month due to absences of a few people going on vacations.

Married siblings are doing the Love boat style, cruising, and home away from home.  We just waved goodbye to them recently.  The three stooges, nephews of the same age who grew up closely, will be visiting the Philippines to meet older cousin. And I will be away to do the annual pilgrimage walking the earth for 15 days. 

Time for another foot spa.

Foot Spa

There will be plenty of stories to go around when we meet on Thanksgiving Day whatever date will that be. 

We are Easter People

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This year will be extra special in celebrating Easter.  Not only that we are celebrating the real sense of Jesus’ resurrection; we, my family that is, will be celebrating our Mother’s 13th year of her death anniversary.  And it falls on Easter!

Being a Catholic, we are Easter People.  We celebrate death filled with hope that we will be resurrected and finally be where we are supposed to be; with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit; and with all the Saints and choirs of Angels.

Sister #5 asked me to write something about Mother.  As much as I want to, Sister #2 mentioned that she wants to write about her journey and Mother.  With that thought in mind, I declined because I don’t want to steal my sister’s thunder.

Instead, I compiled some pictures and memorabilia that I can find for the family to look at.  This is a good place for safekeeping for now because my notes are all over the place and I tend to throw or give away pictures.  Maybe, just maybe, I will gradually write something about this.

My readers, I wish you ALL a Blessed Easter and here are some of the ways of the Easter People.  If you are not a Catholic, replace the last item according to your belief system.

•        Cling to the people who love you
•        Remember who you are
•        Don’t wait for the other shoe to drop
•        Bring joy to the world
•        Breathe in the Holy Spirit

 

Related Article:

• How can we be Easter People

My water bag broke…

Sleep, I need sleep.  I crawled into bed after a long night of celebrating Sister #2’s birthday.  It was December 14.  Crawled into bed and knocked out cold and went into dream world.  I could hear a phone ringing.  Is … Continue reading →

To Err is Human (35)

What do I know?  Not much.  Actually, much to my chagrin, I am kind of beating myself up a thousand lashes of wet noodles and at the same time, hitting my chest, and murmuring: Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa.  Yesterday was a … Continue reading →