A Birthday Letter

I gladly received a 2 page birthday letter from a friend who is undeniably close to my heart. Actually, his letter sounded like his personal reflection on important things in life and by chance, perhaps along the way, he remembered this is supposed to be a letter for me, and so, right before he ended the letter, he greeted me a happy birthday! cute!!hahaaha! Honestly, his uniqueness, imperfections, and generally almost everything about him simply astonish me, even "enthrall" me most of the time! hahaha! (for emphatic purposes). He definitely has his incredible ways of making me adore and hate him at the same time! hahaha! (at times when he would forcibly justify that "those" are just his "ways" of showing his affection) okay, fine! hehehe. I love this person nonetheless. I choose to love the people I claim to love. Although admittedly, most of the time, my love is not perfect, but I do. I sincerely, really do. :) So here it is... I decided to post his letter here because aside from the fact that this is considerably one special birthday present, I truly treasure the friendship that comes with it. Heaven knows! :) Someday, when time and age take my memory away, I want to be reminded again of this one beautiful blessing that ever happened in my life and mostly, this worthwhile life we share.

Thank you so much Marko! Knowing me, I guess you do have the idea of how I appreciate this a lot! :)

L ife, including our future, is full of uncertainties, and having such thinking in mind, we begin to suppose that our future will be formless if we don’t plan the future perfectly as we want. So, we, humans, begin to envision what life we would have at a certain age. Then, the next thing is we are caught very busy preparing the future that we believe we will have. A woman tends to think much of what kind of husband she would have and how many kids she ever wants to raise. She thinks of becoming a full time housewife if she thinks being a working mom/wife would be difficult to maintain the balance between her family and work, keeping both healthy. She starts thinking about how to instill discipline and manage her children. The same holds true to men. There are a lot of things running in our heads as regards to our respective future, and because we get too excited and overwhelmed about it, we tend to lose sight of the beauty of today. We mostly fail to be glad about what we have by now, most especially the simple, little blessings right in front of us. We must see joy in all the blessings we receive no matter how big or small.

I was like that before (and sometimes I am still like that). I tend to think much of my future, thus overlooking what I have at present. I fail to appreciate the simple things which bring me joy in some ways. It’s never wrong to plan ahead because our future really is our destination, but I thought that if we spend too much for the future, we lose the balance of enjoying the present, as well. I came to realize, too, that I should enjoy today because I am certainly unsure that I would still breathe tomorrow, a fact that most people overlook.

I must say I am hit bull’s eye of what I say here, but at least, I get to say these thoughts. Saying these thoughts manifests that I am thinking. When I think, it shows that I am learning, and where do I learn all these? Actually, I learned them from the Bible I frequently read, and who owns the Bible? You own the Bible. So, how am I supposed to regard you at that expense? You are the channel for me to better understand God’s words. With that, I thank you so much, cher Gen! Sa imong pagpahimangno, nakatoon jud biya ko, far way beyond what I expected. You have a gift of tongue and God-given wisdom. I really appreciate the times when we get to speak our random, deep thoughts. You know what; you are someone whom anyone would really want to have a seat with. You don’t see it, but I, along with others, see it.

Yes, I agree with what you often say. You’re not perfect and not a Virgin Mary-like; you sin. Of course, we all sin, but the way you inspire others with your thoughts and actions make you no ordinary. That’s why I really thank God for having a friend like you.

God certainly has reasons why He chooses to place me in Thungsaliam with you and Bless. Gradually, I understand why I am here. Let me keep my understanding on my own, though.

So, cher Gen, you’re officially 27! twenty seven● byante syete ● yisip jet ● dalawampo’t pito ● 27…paulit-ulit… (hahahaha)

How do you feel? I am fairly sure that deep down there are rumbling emotions. There is surely the feeling of gratefulness for having reached age 27; not all are blessed to live at and longer that age. I want to reach that age, but I’m not sure if I’m gonna make it. So, you must celebrate life simply because today you reach that age! Also, there is surely the feeling of fearfulness. You fear that you may not be able to live up the expectations entwined to aging. Yes, there are problems that come along. Some come and go; some come and stay. In spite of these, let’s remain joyous. As I said, enjoy and celebrate life! Katwa-an ra nato na sila. Kung wala man gane mi ni Bless, tan-awa lang imong picture na gitagoan nimo sa imong maleta. LOL

Pasensya jud kayo kung parason kayo kog taras paminsan-minsan. (Paminsan-minsan ra; bakak na pud ng kanunay) Ambot ngano pud na ing-ana akong way pag mag show ug care and affection to someone I walyo (value diay, sorry). HAHA Salamat kayo sa pagsabot. :D

Gabii na cher. Matulog nako kay ang mga sumpa mudaghan unya. Sos! Unsaon nalang. HAHAHA

PS: I am writing this letter tonight while watching you making your grades, but you gotta read this on your big day. I hope the people who love you get to make you feel special on your special day. Happy birthday, Pee!

Life must be lived with LOVE.

Love,

M   A   R   K   O

(the name that can melt your heart :D)


















P.S. 
I am aware of the many times I may have hurt and offended you. I am really sorry Mark. Perhaps I just cared too much and got carried away. At times, my words overrule my good intentions. It is really my incessant prayer that what you have started now will continue and that in the course of time, you will desire to grow more intimately in your relationship with the Lord. Why do I pray for this? because I know and I am confident that when you do and when this happens, your life will be filled with only love and peace of mind. You too have your own personal battles. I, myself is a work in progress. While you are young, as you said, enjoy, and in time I want you to become the BEST VERSION of yourself. And why in the world do I care this much? I am not so sure why God planted this feeling on me but perhaps because I see so much possibilities in you! You love your mom so much, I guess let's get it from there. You have so much goodness in your heart and I want you to nurture it. Pray harder because the world is so full of temptations that will lure you away from Him. You are like my sibling in another set of parents. hehe

I think I have said a lot already. There's no need for more words. You know what I mean right? Thank you Mark. I am no expert. Really. I guess this is my love language? haha! :D (let's keep this for the two of us, okay?) God Bless!