Things to be Grateful For
Waking up early on a Sunday, I felt the cold breeze of morning air caressing my face.
This is the kind of mornings I want to wake up to everyday. You see, Im not really a morning person but this setting right here— the stars twinkling faintly above as the darkness slowly transcends to light, the birds chirping, everything around me, makes me fall in love with Life even more.
It’s when I drink my hot coffee and enjoy my cinnamon bun when I start to appreciate how blessed I am. That in the midst of this pandemic, my family are still able to eat three times a day. To say our gratitude to the Almighty for the providence and for giving us food and constant blessings. We are lucky not just to eat three meals a day but we are lucky to satisfy the unnecessary cravings that some of the people are stripped off. The bitter taste of coffee hit me– our privilege enables us to have this kind of life, while the masses our struggling in their hard earned labor, thriving to make ends meet so they can eat.
Life was never easy few months back. I lost my Mother and I wanted to be mad at myself for not trying to go home as soon as possible. I wanted to cry over spilled milk and the what could have beens. But I guess the denial stage has been gone now and I started forgiving myself and accepting everything.
Despite its harsh challenges, I can’t help fall in love with Life once again.
I appreciate my friends and barkada for cheering me up on my darkest days and for being my support system in every endeavors that I do. I might have been judged for keeping a bunch of people in my life but never did I regret to be part of multiple barkadas from elementary, high school and college. These people are all equal and have a special place in my heart.
I appreciate new found friendships or those rekindled friendships. There’s nothing more heart-warming than to connect to your old peers.
I appreciate the gift of family. For continuously inspiring me to be strong. People applaud me for keeping things together but I shall applaud my brother and father for being my anchor. We grieve because we loss Mamay but we continue to move forward. I appreciate everything from the silly banters at home, Papay’s playlists of Queen, Beatles and Air Supply. Mamay is proud of what we have become.
I appreciate my boyfriend. For being consistent, for being forgiving and loving. For making me laugh even if Im not in the mood to, for listening to some minor inconveniences and for always being here. I never thought I would ever feel so blessed and loved by someone before. I guess he is really worth the wait.
I appreciate my work. For looking after our health and prioritizing our safety. I am really proud to be part of this Famealy. I am blessed and filled with gratitude to work at home provided with every means of communication to work, with no change of salary, benefits, etc. My privilege makes me mourn to the 50% more Filipinos who lost their livelihood this pandemic.
I appreciate cozy Sunday afternoons. When I woke up dripping with sweat because it is hot, I am humbled to realize that atleast I have a shelter, a place called home. That I dont struggle in the streets working on a Sunday instead I get to sleep and read a book.
Honestly, my thoughts are on a dilemma. I wanted to appreciate life like the previous paragraphs has been telling you but somehow I mourn for others because life’s taking a toll on them and I don’t want to romanticize their struggle and call it resiliency. Yes I am privileged but I want to empathize on the people at the margins, those that can’t speak, can’t complain or those that are stripped off with their own voices.
I wanted to appreciate life but life reminded me that what makes the world fair is itself being unfair.
