Birthday and Field Trip

I happen to swing by a blog and remember that I have not been able to visit and update mine for a year now. So 'though my eyes tell me I should put myself to bed now, I chose to write this post.

Today is my brother's birthday. He's far. Sailing somewhere in Europe. I pray his angel brings him our love and well wishes. He is feeling happy and near us. He's been away for 5 months now. We got sad to learn last month that he wants to sign-off  because he finds it difficult to tell some SrOfficers, buying stuff in slopchest, about certain limits imposed by the Captain. He feels the Captain directs the rants to him rather than to the erring colleague. But the next day, he emailed back saying he will just endure it until he finishes his contract.

Tomorrow, my 10 year old niece, sister of the little boy I've been talking about in my previous posts, is going on a field trip. She is excited because it's her first time. I have prodded her father (my sibling) to accompany her so they will have father-daughter bonding. I initially wanted her younger brother to come. But I realized better not. They may end up competing for their father's attention.

I still vividly remember the first field trip I had. I was 12 years old. The title was "Lakbay Aral".I was able to come because it  was free. I was ecstatic that finally my prayer to experience a field trip is going to happen. If it was paid, I could not come because I didn't have the means. I also recall the only baon I managed to bring was a small lunch. Because I was afraid to ask from lola Mana. She was my parents' former employer. I stayed in her home after my family decided to go back to the province when my father got ill.  I finished elementary far my family. I was alone. I had to be independent and brave. Good thing, my generous classmate- Marina Ronquillo, joined the trip as well.  She brought lots of snacks and shared everything to me!

I felt happy while I observe my niece prepare her things. I am thankful that my nieces and nephews ( and my future child) now have the means to pay field trips. Buy goodies and snacks. Won't pity themselves anymore for not having the means,

But looking back, I am thankful I felt that scarcity. It gave me inner drive to strive. My day-dreaming also help a lot. I used to pretend I was a fairy bringing help to less fortunate children.Sometimes I thought I was a successful woman bring hope to the poor (mimicking the scenes I see on t.v). They were so real in my mind that I survived loneliness and being afraid of uncertainty.

I don't know what our current status will imprint to the minds of my little loved-ones. But I want them to have drive and fantasy higher than mine. So they will desire to grow in wisdom. I specifically pray that they will make themselves very able and strong in character so that they can serve and help more people, not just their relatives.