The Gift of Thank You

The past months have been crazy for the family. We found out that Theodore needs surgical help and the required amount is huge. We definitely couldn't pay for all three stages of the operation. But when I asked for help and posted my plea online, help flooded. Prayers overflowed and my family is overwhelmed.

Thank you to...

...my family for the emotional and financial support. Mama was there the whole time. She had to miss work for weeks to be with me and Theodore. Papa had to get a loan to cover some of the expenses for Theodore's first operation. He had to pay back the loan for six years as salary deduction. My sister, Ikit, and her hubby, Daddy Edward, stayed at home to take care of Kuya Nathan and to process documents in my behalf.

...my husband, although he was not there to physically care for Theodore, I know he prays every night for baby's recovery and he works hard every day to earn money for the next surgery. Ate Janette and Fay Ann, thank you for helping us out financially; and to Mamang, who has been crying since Theodore's first surgery, thank you for asking the Carmelite Sisters to pray for him. To Even and Kuya Shernan, I know you are worried; don't be, your nephew is such a strong fighter.

...my relatives, thank you for proving that blood is thicker than water. Thank you for reaching out to extend help Ate Dangkai, Kuya Batit, Mama Becky, Tita Ching, Uncle Bonnie, Uncle Danny O., Auntie Leny, Auntie Gloria, Tita Lulu and Uncle Danny I. Thank you also for finding ways to get Theodore's much-needed blood, Mama Nenet and Papa Tony. Thank you, Te Sharon and Uncle Allan, for the loan and for helping me get funding from Cong. Dayanghirang and soon, from PCSO too. Thank you also, Tita Yndang, for processing my request for financial assistance from Governor Malanyaon, Vice Governor Almario and the Board Members.

...my OPAPP-OSEC family, thank you for remembering Theodore. You have proven that distance will never erase the (good and bad) times we've shared and the memories created. You still have the same love and care for the little fighter.

...my Speedy Publishing family, thank you for being most considerate. This is the first time that a boss from the US called my personal phone to check on me and my child. Thank you for sharing your blessings. Family is family regardless of where we hail and what our nationalities are.

...my two other bosses. Thank you, Sifu Matt, for understanding despite my absences; and for sharing your blessings too. Thank you, Murray, for not kicking me out. I know that since our working relationship started, I've already missed so much work. But despite my absences, you still shared your blessings with Theodore. I shall work harder to make up for the days I was gone.

...Drs. Aquino, Manalaysay and Palabyab, I got the best birthday present because of you. Theodore's first two surgeries have been very successful. You fixed him and kept him safe. You also allowed us to go home and settle the remaining balance when we can. Thank you.

...the DMSF medical staff, especially to Doc Hannah, thank you for taking care of my little boy. I know he was a toxic patient and his case was confusing but thank you for going the extra mile to encourage his speedy recovery.

...my barkada. We all have our problems but when Theodore got sick, you made him your priority. Thank you for the reassurances and for the kind words. I am grateful for the years of strong friendship. We have one more surgery and our baby will be better. We can finally tag him along the next time we have a get-together.

...my high school and college friends and colleagues. I know we have not seen each other for years and yet, you responded when we needed help. Thank you. You are true friends.

...my online friends. You have never met Theodore. Some of you may not even know me and my family personally but you shared our posts for help and you even sent money to add to our funds. Thank you very much.

...my brods and sis. Thank you for the kind thoughts. Brod Rey and Kibz, thank you for helping.

...the owner of Waysingaw, who didn't accept my payment when I needed to print Theodore's pictures and documents as needed requirements attached to my request for financial assistance.

Theodore is OUR baby. I gave birth to him, his father gave him his name but all of you helped to keep him here. Thank you and may God continue to shower you with blessings.

I Got Robbed!

Yup, you read it right. I got robbed. Luckily, though, they only took my purse, which contains 200 pesos and my government IDs with my maiden name. Ha!

It happened while I was on the jeepney. I was seated beside a man, who is nearest the jeep entrance. Near Market Market!, another man stepped in and of all the empty seats, he chose to sit beside me too! I didn't mind them, though. It was, for me, an ordinary 30-minute ride to Guadalupe, where I was to ride the bus. For them, though, they stepped out of the jeep 200 pesos richer. 

I think they targeted my purse because it was big and thick, and they saw it when I took it out to get money for my fare. Its thickness is because of the government IDs, doctors' calling cards and bookmarks it contains. It's heavy because it also functions as my coin purse. My other "real" wallet is smaller and thinner and is not easily visible because it's hidden deep in my bag. 

I was carrying three bags - one is my main shoulder bag, the second is my laptop bag and the third is my thermal bag for my milk storage bottles. Maybe because I was busy holding on to many things at once, I became an easy target.

So, lesson learned. To avoid another similar incident, here are the things I will do/avoid.

1. Buy a bigger bag to eliminate the need for three separate bags. I'm required to bring my laptop everywhere because I am the appointments secretary of a Cabinet Official so leaving it in the office to lighten my load is out of the question. 

2. Don't put all my IDs in one purse. It's okay that I lost all my IDs today because all of them, except PhilHealth, still bear my maiden name. They're due to be replaced anyway so I'll just file an affidavit of loss and request for new ones. But once I've replaced all of them, losing them again won't be okay anymore.

3. If the jeepney is almost vacant but then someone insists on sitting very close to me, I will hold on to my belongings and make sure to close my bags.

3. Before riding the jeepney, or any other public transport, I will have my fare readily in hand.

4. Stop texting! I was texting my mother about Nathan's progress in school that I didn't notice I was being robbed! (head on the wall)

But even though this incident was a bad start of my day and week, I will not let it ruin my mood. There are still things to be thankful of, such as:

1. The bus conductor didn't ask for my fare. I gave him a 1,000 peso bill because I didn't have coins anymore. He asked if I have a smaller amount and I said no because I lost my purse. He just skipped me and asked for the other passengers' fares. Yipee! Thanks, Manong!

2. They stole my coin purse and not my real wallet. 

3. My ATM cards, which I thought where in the purse, are safely with my husband. At least I don't have to request for new ones, which would have been a long and tedious process. If it were the case, I wouldn't get my salary from my part-time online job on-time.

4. I wasn't hurt nor terrorized but the incident did teach me really valuable lessons for next time. 

5. The 200 pesos could have been of great help to them.

6. Because they also stole my IDs, I am now forced to get new ones. Thus, ending my 2-year laziness of getting new cards with my new name. Hehehe

I have read of a lot of people getting hurt and losing so much when they got robbed. I'm still lucky that I'm okay. 

Take care!

Writing for Sanity

For the past few months that I have not written, I've almost lost, for lack of a better word, my sanity. Writing keeps me sane. It is my medicine. Without a written recording of my struggles and experiences, I would feel unable to digest everything that has happened in a day.

As a working mother of two very young children, it is understandable to lose my sanity every once in a while. Of course, there are all those things that would fill the mind. The children, their health, the household, the job, money and so on. On top of that, I have a sickly son who needs to be closely looked after. If things would have been simpler, I would have quit my office job a long time ago and focused on my youngest instead. But I wanted a career and I thought I'm a superwoman who can take care of a family and a career at the same time. Wrong. I'm not a superwoman. I'm just a half sane woman trying to piece everything together using cheap glue. 

So in an attempt to collect my thoughts and have a platform where I can review them (forgetfulness has always been an issue with me) before making a decision, I have decided to start writing a blog. Here, I will write about anything that comes to mind but mostly it will be about my three bugoys - my husband, Kuya Nathan and Baby Theo.