'Til We Meet Again

Socorro "Corit" Alejandro

January 12, 1934 - February 15, 2014

My Mother is an exceptional woman and her example greatly influenced who I am today. In the career I chose, my hobbies, in parenting, in being thrifty, in having faith in God and in many more ways.

She finished B.S. Architecture, and I decided to become an architect.  She loved making all kinds of crafts, and I do too.  When we were young, I remember how she cut and glued felt into shapes of fried eggs and pancit (noodles) so that we could play make believe kitchen or dining.  We did not have a lot of store bought toys but with her example, we made our own.  She showed us how to make paper dolls and playing with paper dolls and making them kept us busy for a long time. Given an old box and a Sears Roebuck catalog that Daddy would pass on to us, we would cut out pictures of clocks and curtains and glue them to the box to make our own dollhouse.  We would make all sorts of projects together with Mommy.  And so when my daughter, Elyse was a child, I would sometimes have our neighbor's daughters come over and we would also do arts and crafts like potato printing, crayon resist and drawing.  This way of creating things, of teaching others to also make things became the seeds of the work I do now in our family business.

Mommy wanted to have a store and she prayed for it.  But even before that, she would make stuffed toys and Daddy would bring them to his office to sell. And they would get sold! When we needed to transfer residence because daddy needed a phone line for his work, we transferred to Tomas Morato, where there was a store space on the ground floor and we lived on the second floor.  At first, Mommy made the stuffed toys and displayed them in the store window.  She also bought dolls without clothes and sewed clothes for them.  When a customer rang the doorbell, she would go down and also be the sales lady.  She was so industrious and she taught us the value of work.  When we had started making figurines and plaques, she hired us to paint them or hammer on them to make them look antique.  We found out that it felt good to have someone buy something we made!

I am really thankful that mommy and daddy started our business (Papemelroti). Not only has it given me my livelihood and an opportunity to take care of my daughter while working, it has helped many people and this is why I love my work. We are able to provide livelihood to those we employ and to our suppliers, it enables us to express ourselves and our beliefs of love of God and family and the environment in the products that we sell.  Her favorite saying was "Yard by yard, life is hard; inch by inch, it's a cinch."  And that is the way she built the business, little by little, one step at a time. It grew to become more than she ever dreamed of.  She gave all the credit to God because she thought of herself as just an ordinary housewife.

Mommy taught us to be thrifty and even when income was not that big, she really tried to save money, putting aside a certain percentage as savings and spending the remaining balance; a really good example of knowing how to live simply and spend on what is important.  She was not one to go for beauty parlor visits (well, she was already beautiful) or shopping for herself.  In the early years, she sewed our clothes.  I remember she sewed our school uniforms. To be thrifty, they needed to be "one size fits all" and we would wear them as hand me downs.  And to be thrifty, the blouse was kinda short (less cloth). But then, when I would raise my hand, I also needed to hold my blouse down, LOL!

Even when she could already afford to buy clothes from the mall,she still preferred to sew.  She loved altering clothes to make them fit her and while she was altering them, she would often change the design as well.  With that example, when I have the time, I also alter clothes that don't fit (but I don't change the design).

One of her favorite stories about me as a baby was about how I could sleep through the night even in a soaked diaper.  To be thrifty with laundry soap and water, during the day, if a diaper was only very slightly wet, she would just let it dry and at night she would make a super diaper for me made of clean diapers sandwiching these reused diapers. It made her so happy that I slept thru the night, the first time I did something to make her happy.  She really could find ways to be thrifty.

Mommy was also very generous.  When the business grew and we had some employees already, it was her dream to provide housing for them.  My dad's sister told my parents about a property in Bulacan with an area we could use for a factory and some apartment units beside it.  They bought that property and her dream came true. When her church group, Women for Christ, honored her, they shared even more of how generous she was with helping many of their members. She was generous with her treasure because she was generous with her love.

Mommy, Me, Elyse and Pepito (her "baby" egg)

In the area of parenting, I learned a lot from Mommy.  She was a hands on mother.  When I was pregnant, I decided to work full time with our family business so that I could be with my daughter during the day.  She was an example of loving unconditionally, of taking parenting very seriously, of being firm in what was important to her as a parent, of providing for her children.

She wanted to provide for us in the best way she could.  She and Daddy bought lots near to them and we were able to build our houses in these lots.  She wanted to save for us and she wanted to have enough so that she would not burden us financially in her old age.

She wanted to protect us and was quite strict with her rules. No dates without a chaperone, no boyfriend until you are seriously considering marriage. I was already a widow and I still needed a chaperone.  Good thing our kids were our ready made chaperones.  When my daughter rolls her eyes at those rules, I tell her, but look how we ended up with excellent husbands.  The guys knew we were precious to our parents and they would only persevere in courting us if they really valued us also.

But more than all these admirable qualities, more than anything, Mommy is a woman of faith and she passed on her faith to us.  I am blessed to have been brought up by God fearing parents who taught me the values of loving God, of honesty and of knowing right from wrong and choosing to do right.

In the late 70s, Mommy started going to prayer meetings and eventually, I was curious enough to go with her.  Going to these prayer meetings led me to attend the Life in the Spirit Seminar, and have a personal relationship with God.  It was in one of these prayer meetings that I first saw my future husband and it is thru him that I became a member of Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon. The legacy of faith that my parents passed on to me is the most precious inheritance I can ever receive and this is the same legacy I strive to pass on to my children.

When Mommy was already very ill, we got a caregiver and nurses to care for her.  They were so sad at her passing and they said it was because she really touched them.  We wondered how that could happen specially since one of them never even got to see Mommy when she could still communicate.  She said she grew to know Mommy by the family that Mommy had, by the children and grandchildren she raised with Daddy.  How wonderful to know that Mommy lives on in us.  And I will continue to live my life according to what she taught me.

No goodbyes, because the faith that she passed on to me, makes me certain that she lives on.  I know she will be praying for us and we will see each other again. I know that she continues to love me even now.  'Til we meet again, I love you, Mommy!

Journal Reflections

Her son went off on his own without asking permission.  And so they had to search for him.  When they finally found him, she and her husband asked him, "Why?"  Well, he had his own reasons for what he did and didn't seem to understand why they were so upset.  They didn't understand what he said to them.

Does this sound familiar?  If you are a parent, haven't there been times when you couldn't understand your children?  Haven't there been times when you've asked "Why?"  Even with our relationships with other people, haven't there been times when we haven't understood?  When we've asked "Why?"

I know there have been times like this for me.  But oh, to be able to follow her example when faced with times like this.  To be able to ponder and pray and control my tongue.  To be able to understand, by God's grace, to do as God leads and to treasure these things.  This is my prayer as I reflect on this bible verse...

"When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart."  Luke 2:42-51

I'm linking up to Paint Party Friday, Studio Sneak Peek, Random Journal Day, Heartprint Hallelujahs, Just Journals, Faith-filled Friday, Art Journal Every Day and Spiritual Sundays.

World Youth Day 2011: Part 2

Have you ever been in a tent filled with energetic and joyful young people from all over the world, praying, singing and raising their hands in praise?   All over Madrid, during the World Youth Day celebrations last August 16 to 21, there were events like this going on!  Being with these young people during this special time was truly a faith building experience for my whole family.

My two children (21 and 17 years old) helped host Soul Food Café, "a space where young people could gather at any time during the Youth Festival.  They had a continuous programme of music, interviews, panel discussions, breaks, comedy, theatre, dance, art exhibitions, and more."

"The Soul Food Café was a meeting point where young disciples could connect with a global network of other young Catholics.  It was a center of international meetings, a chance for youth from different nations to get to know each other in a positive, relaxed faith filled environment."

"The three main goals of the events within the Soul Food Café were
- to stir faith (through prayer, exposition of Christian culture in art and music)
- awaken hope (through seeing and hearing stories of Christians from all over the World)
- grow in love (through meeting others, networking, relationships and tasting the universal church community)"

Indeed, our faith was stirred as we prayed with and for one another, as we listened to the performers...

and as we admired the art made by different artists and would be artists.  

Indeed our hope was awakened as we heard stories like the one shared by a young man who was told by the doctor that he would have to have his leg in a cast for months.  He shared that after only a few days, his leg was totally healed after his friends prayed over him.  Yes, even today, even among the young, miracles do happen!

And indeed, our love grew as we got to meet many different people, young and young once, of different races and speaking different languages, but amazingly, brothers and sisters, part of one body.

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6

Linking up with Brag on God Friday, Spiritual Sundays and Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday. 

World Youth Day 2011: Part 1

 

What started out as a desire in my heart as I read a blog post about World Youth Day in Sydney (in 2008) became reality last month when my family went to Madrid...

 

 

Jornada Mundial de la Juventud, World Youth Day, was not actually a day but six blessed days. The intention of these days was "to bring us closer to Christ" and for those who come "to meet Christ and strengthen our friendship with him."  

What a joy to see so many young people attend!  Being among them as they prayed and sang, chanted and clapped their cheers for Pope Benedict XVI was an amazing experience.  At times, walking alongside them, so energetic and joyful, I would be close to tears, but of course, that wouldn't be "cool", so I would quickly blink them away. 

What power and joy there is in community, in being together as we live out our faith.  There is strength and encouragement and the courage to proclaim our identity and faith.  Surely, if by themselves, these young people would not be as joyful and energetic when they had to wait for hours in the hot sun or walk long distances or live in such spartan conditions.  And so it is with us, in our daily lives.

As the Pope said at his arrival in Madrid, "Here on this Day, they (the youth) have a special opportunity to gather together their aspirations, to share the richness of their cultures and experiences, motivate each other along a journey of faith and life, in which some think they are
alone or ignored in their daily existence. But they are not alone. Many people of the same age have the same aspirations and, entrusting themselves completely to Christ, know that they really have a future before them and are not afraid of the decisive commitments which fulfill their entire lives." - the Pope's WYD Messages to the Youth

The World Youth Day events formally started on August 16 with an Opening Mass.  There were so many people (both young and young at heart) that we couldn't even get close enough to see the stage...

We could only see a video screen...

But being among the young people and talking with them was a blessing in itself...

After the Mass, as we strolled to the plazas of Madrid, there were concerts everywhere, with dancing and singing and celebrating.   What a wonderful start to a six lovely, faith filled days!

 

Linking up with Brag on God Friday, Spiritual Sundays and Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday.

For Father's Day

I hadn't even fully unpacked from my trip to Europe and I was packing a bag again for a Father's Day weekend trip to the beach, my father's favorite place.  At 52 years old, I am so blessed to have both my Mom and my Dad still with us, with my Dad still strong enough to go sailing alone in his boat (like the picture I shared in my post last year).  No internet in the beach and so I was not able to post this wonderful song I first heard from Lani in her blog Healing Expressions...


Belated Happy Father's day to all the wonderful Fathers out there!  Belatedly linking up with Then Sings My Soul Saturday.

Every Child is Precious

Such sad news.  My friends' 2 1/2 month old baby died in his sleep the other day.  He was a premature baby but we all thought he was out of danger, having overcome many challenges in his first few weeks.  We had just celebrated his baptism last February 12 and then, we were back in the same church compound, only this time, to say goodbye.

I was reminded of a poem which I came across some time ago and it is about how our children are just lent to us.  

TO ALL PARENTS
"I'll lend you for a little time a child of mine, " He said,
"for you to love the while she lives and mourn for when she's dead.
It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call her back, take care of her for me?
She'll bring her charms to gladden you, and shall her stay be brief,
You'll have her lovely memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay, since all from earth returns,
But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.
I've looked the whole wide world over in my search for teachers true
And from the throngs that crowds life's lanes I have selected you.

Now will you give her all your love, nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call to take her back again?"
I fancied that I heard them say: "Dear Lord, Thy will be done!
For all the joy Thy child shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter her with tenderness, we'll love her while we may,
And for the happiness we've known forever grateful stay;
but shall the angels call for her much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand."
by Edgar Guest

Isn't it so terribly sad and ironic that this beautiful baby, so beloved by his family, died in a world where so many abortions take place?  This site says approximately 42 million abortions take place in one year.  "Every child born into the world is a new thought of God, an ever fresh and radiant possibility"(Kate Douglas Wiggin) and I believe even the ones who have not yet been born are already so very precious.

In the Philippines, March 25 of each year is celebrated as the "Day of the Unborn". This day is "devoted to the vast number of babies forbidden to live and partake in this world."  Who knows what potential a baby would reach if he were allowed to live.   

Listen to "A Baby's Prayer"...

  

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart..." Jeremiah 1:5

Let us treasure our children and the precious time we have with them.

On Being a Mother: Lessons from my Daughter

When I became a mother, I learned much about God's love for me and my identity as his daughter. If I can love my children so much, how great must be the love that my Father God has for me. His is a perfect love. If I want only good for my children, how much more does the Lord want only good for us, His children. Through my day to day experiences with children, I have had many lessons about life, and love, and God's ways with His children. Here is one of them...

One day, when my daughter was maybe about a year old, she caught sight of a shiny knife. Oh, how she wanted to get that knife. She kept pointing, and "talking", and I could see how wonderful she thought it would be if she could just get her hands on that knife. Of course, she couldn't have it - what a disaster if she got it. I realized that sometimes, we too are like that. We want something so much, not knowing that it isn't good for us. Well, God knows exactly what's best for us and that is what He wants to give us. Let us trust in Him and in His plan for us. He is a loving and faithful Father.