My return to Kpg was rather nostalgic. Back to the house one grew up, there were always familiar feelings. Every step took me back to what I did as a child, each corner of the house was recognizable and also there was this effortlessness and ease in going about it. Never I felt such a familiarity in Mlg, though the whole family has settled there for several years now.

Nothing much has changed in that town, it remains unaffected. I figure that’s how things are in a small town. Residences grow old, parents become aged and kids lead their own families, but the lifestyle stays. Along the streets of Chinatown I used to pass by everyday, folks still spend droopy late afternoons chit-chatting outside their shops with neighbours. Robustness was never the norm, people are content with the stationary day to day life, seemingly so unambitious to evolve.

Grappling with the past and its consequences has sobered my parents much. Being once very much caught up in politics led one easily live with minds habitually shady and crooked. People make mistakes. But as one finds truth, one learns to do things that are right and just and fair. For in everything at all, how can one do the right thing if one does not know what is right?

To meet with Sr. P again was uplifting. One of most memorable events in my childhood and teenage years were those days with her in convent as my mentor and the friendship fostered between us since then. She is not as agile as before, and lines of old begin to appear on her face, just as wisdom has added with her years. Blessed Mother had always been her comfort as she faced tumor two years ago and to lose a part of her body that identifies her as a woman was not easy. At times crucifixion was so real it was contemplation of Jesus’ cross that strengthened her. She soon must leave for another mission in Rome, and is still learning to let go what she has built from scratch and to trust God for others to be in the lead of the convent so precious to her.

Along my journey of friendship, among those who are dearest there were two middle-aged women. =P Beautiful and strange these friendships are.. =)

posted by Graciana@Home at 8:10 am