Celebrating life

I hear it being said so often that it's become one of the most overused cliches about life. But if there's anything that Tin's death has taught me, it's exactly this cliche: Life is short. We blow off invitations to parties and gatherings because we always think that there will be time for all that when our schedules are not too full anymore. But our schedules never do clear up. Our work load never does lighten. And we never get to go to parties, lunches, coffee dates, and reunions. I used to be guilty of this, but since I realized how finite we all are, I've made a conscious effort to not let moments just pass me by without appreciating them.

Today is my son's 6th birthday. Sixth! It doesn't seem like such a long time ago when I was sipping a tall coffee jelly in the recovery room as a reward after having given birth to an 8 lbs 12 oz baby through lamaze (whew!). And now, here he is, little Mr. Marunong. In a few more years he won't let me hug and kiss him in public anymore, so I'm taking advantage of this time to do all that. There are times when I just want to take a mental snapshot of a moment we're having together and store it in my album of memories. I never want to forget.

The Angry Birds cookie pops from Shoppersville were much appreciated

Be free, bestie

Last Monday, Tin went to sleep and never woke up again. She died peacefully, quietly, and I felt that's the way she wanted it. She hated to worry the people around her, especially her family. Rest in peace now, Tin. I will never forget everything you've done for me, and everything you were to me.

From left to right: me, Tin, Pebbles, Net, and Joe

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. - Revelation 21:4

Waging war against breast cancer

This one's for my best friend who has stage 4 breast cancer.

The last time I visited her was sometime in June, and she looked great -- nice skin color, pink lips, healthy-looking hair -- she even had the energy to make little jokes. Her mom told me that they were about to start radiation and chemo therapy and I'd had such high hopes that she'd be able to pull through.

I hadn't been able to visit her until today and I was shocked at the change during that one month that I hadn't seen her. She looked shrunken and tired, and her beautiful, shiny long hair was gone. She had on a breathing apparatus and she couldn't talk but she would nod or speak with her eyes when she responded. I had to stop myself from crying when I approached her, and now that I'm writing about it I have to stop the tears again.

There are moments during certain days when I remember her and I feel like giving in and bursting into tears. I'm having such a hard time dealing with it, accepting it. It doesn't seem real. It doesn't seem possible that someone as young as her could suffer from something so horrible. She just got married barely two years ago and they were trying to have a baby. It's unfair. She's such a good person - one of the best people I know.

Despite everything though, her spirit remains intact. There's been an outpouring of prayers, love and support for her and her family. That won't stop until she gets stronger and better. I'm hopeful. God is faithful and nothing is impossible with Him.

Source

The family board

My mother is a big fan of organizing stuff and coordinating family members' schedules, and since there are now a little less than 20 people coming and going in the house it's become imperative to make sure people are aware of other people's schedules.

Hence, this:

May I introduce our family bulletin board, where you need to write your weekly appointments, dates, and what-have-yous lest you incur the wrath of mother dearest -- which my father suffers on a fairly regular basis.

I hate to admit it but it's a big help. Because of our different schedules we don't get a chance to see one another during the week and sometimes this is the only we we communicate. This is where we post our greetings, wish lists, and menu suggestions. Without it we would all be lost, so cheers to Nanay!

It worked

I'd been wanting to try my mother's carrot cake recipe and bake them in muffin pans ever since I'd discovered cupcake making. Well, I got my chance yesterday.

Right out of the oven

This is a recipe she got from a professor visiting from the US, and she's had it since the late 70s. I followed the directions to the letter, except for the frosting, which I'd adjusted to suit my taste.

On the rack, with and without frosting 

The cake itself is good enough, and in fact my mother bakes loaves of these to give as gifts at Christmas, but the cream cheese frosting makes it "to die for," as my sister said (and our father agrees).

Best I've ever made, according to my father and sister

And so... another cupcake experiment stamped with the family seal of approval. :)