Take Nothing for Granted

Take nothing for granted, not even for a split second!

Be grateful for every living minute. We seem to take life for granted....but
Tomorrow is Not Promised...

Magulang

This story was taken from a forwarded email... hope this can serve as an eye opener to all of us...

***********************

Namatay si Nanay noong Enero 8,2008 sa edad na 92 taong gulang. Sabi ng marami super bonus na daw yung makarating ka sa ganuong edad. Siguro totoo nga yun. Pero kung makakahirit pa siguro ako, hihirit pa rin ako. Iba kasi yung kahit matanda na ang nanay mo andyan pa rin siya.

Hustong 11 araw mula ng magkasakit siya mula noong Dis. 28,2007. Dinala ko siya sa doktor.Inexray pa nga siya.Niresatahan naman siya ng gamot. Nag-iisa siya sa kuwarto niya. Pero nung Dis. 29,2007 dun ako natutulog para samahan siya. Lagi siyang puyat kasi inuubo siya. Nakakakain naman siya nung mga unang araw. Pero nung bandang huli gusto niya ay lugaw dahil masakit daw ang lalamunan niya. Mahusay din siyang uminom ng gamot at bitamina. Lumalakas na nga siyang kumain kahit pa lugaw lang. Sa umaga champorado(paborito niya) at sa tanghali at gabi ay lugaw o kaya naman ay sopas o kaya naman ay pinaghalong lugaw at sopas. Noong Enero 1,2008 , bagong taon medyo matamlay siya. Pero kumakain pa rin siya at umiinom ng gamot at bitamina. Sinabihan ko pa siya na magpalakas siya at magsisimba kami pagdating ng Linggo. Tapos kakain kami sa Jolibee. Buong akala ko pagaling na siya. Tinanong pa nga niya kung bakit hindi nagpapaputok yung katabi naming apartment. Taun-taon kasi marami siyang paputok at fireworks. Sabi ko hindi dumating yung inorder na mga paputok. Nanuod na lang kami ng fireworks sa TV.

Umaga ng bagong taon bago mananghali dumating ang maga kapatid ko at dinalaw siya. Me dala silang pagkain. Pero di na rin siya kumain ng mga dala nila. Lugaw pa rin. Pero magana siya noon.

Linggo, Enero 6, 2008, medyo matamlay siya. Pero hindi na siya masyadong napupuyat kasi hindi na siya inuubo. Pero nilagyan ko siya ng diaper sa unang pagkakataon. Nanghihina daw siyang umupo sa arinola niya. Sabi ko ok lang sa diaper siya umihi o pumupo. Nahihiya pa nga siya. Lunes ng umaga me pupo ang diaper niya. Nilinis ko siya tulad ng araw-araw kong ginagawa sa kanya mula nung magkasakit siya. Tuwing umaga ay nililinisan ko siya at binbihisan, pinopolbohan at nilalagyan ng cologne. Ayaw niya kasi na mabaho siya. Kumain pa rin naman siya at uminom ng gamot.

Martes ng umaga muli ko siyang nilinisan. Iniupo ko pa siya sa upuan niya sa kuwarto niya pagkalinis ko sa kanya. Tapos nilinis ko rin ang kama niya. Nung makita niyang ayos na ang kama niya tinawagan niya ako at sumenyas na hihiga na siya. Kailangan ko na siyang yakapin pagbalik niya sa kama kasi hirap na siyang maglakad noon at parang humihingal na siya. Pagkahiga niya sa kama humugot siya ng isang malalim na hinga...at yun na. Wala na si Nanay...

Ang buhay pala ng isang tao ay natatapos lamang sa isang malalim na hugot ng hininga! Yakap-yakap ko pa siya ng mamatay siya. Alam ko patay na siya pero in denial pa rin ako na patay na siya. Kinakausap ko pa rin siya. Nung bandang huli, ibinulong ko na lang sa teynga niya na "Nanay kung nahihirapan ka na talaga, huwag mo na akong alalahanin. Hindi ako pababayaan ng Diyos. Mahal na mahal kita!"

Yun lang itinikom na niya ang kanyang bibig at ipinikit ang kanyang mga mata.
Paalam po Nanay. Sana po naipadama ko sa inyo ang aking pagmamahal hanggang sa huling sandali ng iyong buhay. At kung anuman ang mga naging pagkukulang ko o naging kasalanan ko sa inyo , patawad po. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoong Diyos at nabigyan ako ng pagkakataong maipadama ke Nanay ang pag-aruga at pagmamahal ko sa kanya.

Ginawa ko ang liham na ito para sa mga anak na nabubuhay pa ang mga magulang.Tulad ng Sulat ni Tatay at Nanay na nilikha ni Rev.Fr. Ariel Robles. Sana makarating ang mensahe

Napakadali ng buhay ng tao. Sa Nanay ko nga me bonus na! Sana sa pamamagitan nito mapagtanto natin na may panahon pa para maipadama sa kanila na MAHAL NATIN SILA!

******************

Ang Cellphone at Ang Bible

Ang Cellphone laging hawak ipinapakita,
Ang Bible laging nakatago at ayaw ipakita.

Ang Cellphone binibili kahit libo-libong halaga,
Ang Bible ayaw bilhin, kahit isang daan ang halaga.

Ang Cellphone laging pinapalitan ng case,
Ang Bible hindi man lang mabilhan ng case.

Ang Cellphone ayaw magasgasan,
Ang Bible hinahayaang maalikabukan.

Ang Cellphone bihirang makaligtaan kung saan iniwan,
Ang Bible madaling makaligtaan kung saan naiwan.

Ang Cellphone mahirap ipahiram, baka masira,
Ang Bible madaling ipahiram, kahit mawala.

Ang Cellphone laging binabasa kung may bagong message,
Ang Bible hindi binabasa kaya hindi makita ang message.

Ang Cellphone message masarap i-share.
Ang Bible verse nakakalimutang i-share.

Ang Cellphone pinapakita ang lifestyle ng tao,
Ang Bible nagpapabago ng lifestyle ng tao.

Ang Cellphone mabilis maluma,
Ang Bible hindi naluluma.

Ang Cellphone message kung minsan ay late,
laging on time ang message.

Ang Cellphone kailangan magload para mag-message,
Ang Bible laging fully loaded ang message.

Ang Cellphone ay mahalagang gamit ng tao,
Ang Bible ay mas mahalaga kung gagamitin ng tao.

Life's Balance Sheet

Our Birth is our Opening Balance!

Our Death is our Closing Balance!

Our Prejudiced Views are our Liabilities

Our Creative Ideas are our Assets

Heart is our Current Asset

Soul is our Fixed Asset

Brain is our Fixed Deposit

Thinking is our Current Account

Achievements are our Capital

Character & Morals, our Stock-in-Trade

Friends are our General Reserves

Values & Behavior are our Goodwill

Patience is our Interest Earned

Love is our Dividend

Children are our Bonus Issues

Education is Brands / Patents

Knowledge is our Investment

Experience is our Premium Account

The Aim is to Tally the Balance Sheet Accurately.

The Goal is to get the Best Presented Accounts Award.

Some very Good and Very bad ....

The most destructive habit......................Worry

The greatest Joy...............................Giving

The greatest loss................Loss of self-respect

The most satisfying work...............Helping others

The ugliest personality trait.............Selfishness

The most endangered species.........Dedicated leaders

Our greatest natural resource...............Our youth

The greatest "shot in the arm"..........Encouragement

The greatest problem to overcome.................Fear

The most effective sleeping pill........Peace of mind

The most crippling failure disease............Excuses

The most powerful force in life..................Love

The most dangerous pariah..................A gossiper

The world's most incredible computer........The brain

The worst thing to be without................... Hope

The deadliest weapon.......................The tongue

The two most power-filled words..............."I Can"

The greatest asset..............................Faith

The most worthless emotion..................Self-pity

The most beautiful attire......................SMILE!

The most prized possession................Integrity

The most powerful channel of communication.....Prayer

The most contagious spirit.................Enthusiasm

The most important thing in life..................GOD

"When someone shares something of value with you andyou benefit from it, you have a moral obligation toshare it with others"

Salty Coffee

He met her at a party. She was so beautiful, many guys were chasing after her, while he was so plain and simple, nobody paid attention to him.
At the end of the party, he invited her to have coffee with him, she was surprised, but to be polite, she consented. They went to a nicecoffee shop, he was too nervous to say anything, she felt uncomfortable, she thought, please, let me go home.... suddenly he asked the waiter.
"would you please give me some salt? I'd like to put it in my coffee."
Everybody stared at him, How strange! His face turned red, but still, he put the salt in his coffee and drank it.
She asked him curiously; why you have salt in your coffee? He replied: "when I was a little boy, I lived near the sea, I like playing in the sea, I could feel the taste of the sea, just like the taste of the salty coffee. Now every time I have the salty coffee, I always think of my childhood, think of my hometown, I miss my hometown so much, I miss my parents who still live there". While saying that tears filled his eyes. She was deeply touched.
That's his true feelings, from the bottom of his heart. A man who can share his homesickness, he must be a man who loves home, cares about home, has ties to his home.

Then she also started to speak, spoke about her faraway hometown, her childhood, her family. That was a really nice talk, also a beautiful beginning of their story.

They continued to date. She found that he was actually a man who meets all her demands; he hadtolerance, was kind hearted, warm, careful. He was such a good person but she almost missed knowing him! Thanks to his salty coffee!

The story ended just like every beautiful lovestory , the princess married the prince, then they lived happily ever after... And, every time she made coffee for him, she put somesalt in it, as she knew that's the way he liked it.

After 40 years, he passed away, left her a letter which said: "My dearest, please forgive me, I have been lying my whole life. This was the only lie I told you---the salty coffee.

Remember the first time we dated? I was so nervous at that time, actually I wanted some sugar, but I said salt. It was hard for me to change it, so I just went ahead.I never thought that could be the start of our conversation! I tried to tell you the truth many times in my life, but I was too afraid to do that, as I have promised not to lie to you about anything. Now I'm dying, I'm afraid of nothing so I can tell you the truth: I don't like the salty coffee, what a strange bad taste.. But I have had the salty coffee for my whole life!

Since I met you, I don't ever feel sorry for everything I did for you. " Having you with me is the biggest thrill of my whole life. If I can live a second time around, I would still want to know you and have you for the rest of my life,even though I have to drink the salty coffee again".

Her tears made the letter totally wet. One day, someone asked her: how did the salty coffee taste? It was very sweet, she replied.

Love is not to forget but to forgive, not to see but to understand, not to hear but to listen, not to let go but to HOLD ON !!!!

Don't ever leave the one you love for the one you like, because the one you like will leave you for the one they love.

Forget the things that make you sad .... Remember the things that make you glad

Dumaan ka ba sa Pagkabata?

Pagkagaling dati sa eskwelahan, libre na ang mga bata para maglaro buong araw. Hindi tulad ngayon,mas stressed out pa sila sa matatanda dahil sa mga naka-schedule na academic subjects review, piano lesson, computer tutorial, ballet class, basketball training, painting session, at marami pang iba.

Simple lang ang buhay noong araw. Simple lang ang konsepto ng mga bata sa salitang "paglilibang". Solb na sila sa traditional games. Naalala mo pa ba ang tumbang preso? E yung taguang bato, agawang panyo, takip silim, luksong lubid, hilahang lubid, chinese garter, jackstones, trumpo, saranggola, softball, sipa, siyatong, piko, atsungka? Lahat ng mga larong 'to e nangangailangan ng equipments or materials. Pero no problemo, mga mura lang 'to, at karamihan e bagay na pwede mong makita sa basurahan o bodega n'yo. Meron ding mga mas matipid na alternatives, talagang wala nang gastos. Eto yung patintero, taguan pung, habulang daga, doctor kwak-kwak, open the basket, touch the color, luksong baka, luksong tinik, pitik-bulag, jack en poy(na tinawag na ngayong bato-bato-pik), sawsaw-suka, at yung mataya-taya--isang uri ng larong habulan para sa mga batang gustong tumakbo nang tumakbo hanggang hikain sila. Andyan din yung mga larong pwedeng tawaging Sugal For Kids, gaya ng goma, text (ngayon electronic na ang text di na karton) at jolens. Pero for formalitylang ang mga rubber bands, play cards, at marbles n'to. Ang totoo, hindi mo na kailangan bumili sa tindahan para maranasan ang thrill ng pustahan. Dahil pwede mong ilaban sa Kalog ang mga bagay na tulad ng balat ng sigarilyo, balat ng candy, at tansan ng mga bote ng beer, softdrinks, toyo, at patis. (Tip: Magandang pamato ang mga tansan ng patis!)

Inabutan ko rin noon yung mga larong sadista tulad ng sumpak at sumpit. Masaya 'to, mga monggo ang bala mo. Magtatago ka, tapos titirahin mo lahat ang kalaro mo nang pa-traydor. Maraming na-barangay sa amin dati dahil dito. Ang saya!!! Hindi pa 'yan kumpleto. Syempre meron din tayong mga medyo weird na laro. Isa na dito ang larong hindi ko alam ang pangalan at hindi ko alam kung paano ko ide-describe. Para 'to sa mga batang lalake. Isang pinitpit at pinatalim na tansan ang ikinakabit sa tali na isinusuot naman sa mga hinlalaki ng magkabilang kamay. Paiikutin mo ang matalim na tansan na parang chain saw, tapos itatapat sa kalaban mong may hawak ding ganito. Panalo ka pag napatid mo yung tali nung kalaban. Talo ka pag tumalsik sa mukha mo yung blade at sumirit ang maraming dugo. Kung mahilig ka sa mga brutal na kasiyahan, pwede mo ring pagtripan ang gagamba. Kailangan mo lang ng walis tingting o stick ng banana-Q at dalawang nagbubugbugang gagamba (disqualified ang gagambang-alikabok, gagambang-bahay at gagambang-talon). Kung gusto mo naman, pwede ring pagpustahan ang dalawang salagubang. Pagdikitin lang ang mga likod nila ng nginuyang bubble gum at ilapag sila sa sahig nang patagilid. Kung sino ang unang makatayo, yun ang panalo. Tiyak mag-e-enjoy angbuong pamilya.

Samantala, kung may ant farm ang mga taga-ibang bansa, meron din tayo, original at mas masaya pa. Madalas ako dating mag-ipon ng ipis sa loob ng boteng softdrinks, o kaya naman, mga millipede o garapata sa loob ng transparent na lalagyan ng filmng camera. Pag sawa na 'ko, binubuhusan ko lang ng alcohol ang mga alaga ko. Minsan iniihian ko para mas cool! Isa pang paborito kong laro e yung bangaw na may sinulid. Humuli ka lang ng malaking bangaw (yung makintab ang pwet) at dahan-dahan na pisain angtiyan nito. May lalabas na kulay puti sa pwetan nito (na hanggang ngayon e hindi ko alam kung ano). Dito mo itatali ang sinulid, at presto, meron ka nang kaibigang bangaw na pwede mong sundan kahit saan! Sa mga kababaihan naman, hindi mawawala yung aral-aralan, bahay-bahayan, luto-lutuan, at yung mga papel na manika. Eto yung mga larong makalat, dahil pagkatapos, asahan mong marami silang iiwanang mga durog na chichiria, mga ginupit na papel, at mga halamang hiniwa, tinadtad, at niluto sa "bahay"nila. At syempre pag may niluluto, may apoy. Madalas nagsasabay yung lutu-lutuan at bahay-bahayan.Naluluto yung bahay. Kaya kaaway ng mga bumbero ang larong 'to.

Marami-rami na 'yan, pero kung wala ka pa ring naaalalang sinalihang laro dati, malamang e ikaw yung loner na tipo ng bata. Kuntento ka na sa pamamakyaw ng mga maaalat na chichiria sa katabi n'yong tindahan, o sa pag-arkila ng mga Funny Komiks. Ayos na rin sa'yo yung pagpapaikot ng gulong sa kalsada, yung bang mga nakikita sa junk shops. O kaya naman e yung magnet, na ididikit mo sa kung saan-saan tapos masaya ka na. O di kaya naman ay kukuha ka ng papel at lagyan mo ng buhangin sa ibabaw saka mo ilagay ang magnet sa ilalim ng papel, pag ginalaw mo ung magnet eh sumusunod and mga buhangin.

Andyan din yung pagpapaputok ng pinalobong plastic bag, yun bang transparent na plastic na pinaglagyan ng mga sibuyas na binili sa palengke. O kaya e yung pagligo sa malakas na ulan, kasama na d'yan yung karerahan ng bangkang papel sa kanal at yung paglulublob sa baha. Yan ang pinagkakaabalahan ng mga bata.

At ang mga maririnig mo sa kalye, ganito: May dumi sa ulo, Ikakasal sa Linggo, Inalis inalis, Ikakasal sa Lunes. (Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sikreto ng kantang 'to, pero hindi 'to pumalpak kahit kelan. Pag kinantahan mo ng ganito ang bata, automatic na pilit nitong tatanggalin ang dumi sa ulo n'ya, kahit wala.) Wala sa likod, wala sa harap, Pagbilang ko ng tatlo nakatago na kayo, Isa, dalawa…(sisilip ang taya)…Game? Sisigaw naman ang isang tanga: “Game!”Siya ang kadalasang unang nakikita.

Life Must Go On

One day I decided to quit. I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" His answer surprised me...."Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?" "Yes", I replied. "When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo." He said."In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit." He said."Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle. "He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern, yet, they both make the forest beautiful.""Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high!" "How high should I rise?" I asked. "How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return. "As high as it can?" I questioned. "Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. Think about that:

He will never give up on you. Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness;
Bad days give you experiences;
Both are essential to life.
So Keep going.