Sitting on my favorite couch in one corner of our crib, at the same time sipping a steaming mug of green tea with mint and honey, I started to jot down a list of why I should always be grateful:
- Loving and industrious parents.
- Naughty-but-nice sisters (and silent brother/s-in-law).
- A witty niece and an adorable nephew.
- Wonderful family, my wonderful aunts, uncles, and cousins (and super-extended relatives).
- Supportive and sensible girl friends and best friends.
- Past and present colleagues who spice up my realm called "work".
- A job (err, passion) that I love doing.
- Challenging career path that I never regretted taking.
- Just-enough money to pay my dues and debts (when will it ever end?)
- A church nearby where I could openly practice my belief.
- Enough mp3s in my hard drive to accompany me in my silent sanctuary.
- Feel-good chick flicks that I could watch over and over!
- Pistachio nuts in my cupboard.
- Enough stock of emergency food supplies (noodles and canned goods) in the pantry.
- Ability to cook and make other people satiated and happy!
- Heart-breaking but mind-opening relationship that has finally come to its "FINAL finale" (notice the redundancy?)
- A nice room to call my own, albeit temporarily (a.k.a. Yenster's Hub!)
- Having my dependable laptop (Baby Leno) that is now almost 4 years old, and a new heavy-duty HDD, too.
- Baby Mix that captures how I see the world through its lens (although most of the time still in AUTO mode.)
- Being able to re-live the history of World War II and the olden days in the arms of my grandparents before they were called back by the Supreme Being.
- Travel - either alone, with friends, or with my mother. (And sent Tatay and Nanay to a grand vacation with my girl friends!)
- That gift of being able to make someone smile and feel better. I love surprises.
- Having a closely knit neighborhood who treat each other as family.
- Mentors who have helped me become a better person and a better leader (by becoming a good follower first.)
- Classmates (and batch mates) who believed in me ... and those who did not Ü.
- My gift of gab, a miniscule talent in writing, and a dash of wit.
- Living at an age where technology is at its peak.
- I am a Gen X'er, which means that I was privileged to run and play in the streets (not just in front of a large screen), climb mango trees, bathe in clean rivers, and know how a firefly actually looks like.
- Being able to watch a good movie, read a good book, dine at a fancy food shop, or just sing to my heart's delight.
- Living in a comfortable house, although not grand, but something I truly call HOME.
- People who challenge what I know because it picks my brain and allows me to persevere more.
- Having the will to understand the meaning of "patience," "hard work," and "humility."
- A heart that never stops beating (and loving).
- A merciful God who has taken me back into His arms even if I had gone astray for quite a while.
These and more make up my sojourn to this day.
If you feel you are a part of this list, please accept my sincerest gratitude. Thank you so much!
Let the countdown begin!!!
