There is something precious and compelling in reconnecting with our past. Whether it’s a place, a person or occasion, there is that force that pulls back to what was once familiar, especially the ones that bring pleasant memories.
Remember your childhood friends? Author Lisa Whelchel best described the thought about the value of our olden ties when she wrote, “There’s something about childhood friends that you just can’t replace.”
How we wish we can bring the hands of time back and be in their company once again and revisit those days of laughter and fun that childhood brought.
This is what happened early this month, when our dear, old neighbors – the Perez sisters – in Cauayan and we agreed to get together early this month. After several postponements, we had to push through with our lunch date as one of the sisters, Raquel, a retired nurse, is returning to England before April ends, after few months of vacation here to flee the punishing cold, wintry days in her home in Devizes, about 90 miles west of London.
With the rather heavy meal prepared by our hosts at their residence in a Tangub subdivision, came light moments of reminiscing the days of play and frolic as well as keeping ourselves updated with developments in our lives as well as the whereabouts and goings-on of others we have been familiar with.
The Perezes were our neighbors for about 10 years more than five decades ago until we moved due to my father’s new work assignment.
We cannot but agree with what another writer, Ally Condie, said, “Growing apart doesn’t change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side.”
The years flew fast almost unnoticed that two siblings from each side (both our families have seven) and our parents have gone to the Great Beyond.
It was, indeed, a moment of rekindled bonds among us that Raquel and sisters Corazon Tabino and Mary Vivian Jauod as well as my sister Glenda and husband Doc Russ and I expressed hopes that we can get together again soon – next time with their sisters Nene and Nenet as well as my siblings Lucy, Ely and Luther.
I pray for Raquel’s safe journey to London next week and with this comes the hope that she will be back for more moments of rejuvenating ties.
Our old friends truly give as beautiful memories. As Susan Gale put it: “They may not always be on your mind, but they are forever in our hearts.”
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Advocating greater awareness of the need for greater protection of our ecology is never trite, especially at this time when climate change is wreaking untold damages to the environment – from the mountains to the oceans, from the cold horizons to the tropical forests.
This is why we should take seriously global occasions, like International Mother Earth Day, an observance marked on April 22, in their aim to further heighten global awareness on the threats humanity is facing.
International Mother Earth Day is celebrated “to remind us that our planet and its ecosystems provide us with life and sustenance.” The day is an occasion to raise public awareness around the world to the challenges regarding the well-being of the planet and all the life it supports.
At the same time, it “recognizes a collective responsibility, as called for in the 1992 Rio Declaration, to promote harmony with nature and the Earth to achieve a just balance among the economic, social and environmental needs of present and future generations of humanity.”
In celebration of IMED and in an effort to raise consciousness about the urgency to promote the necessary balance, the United Nations shared the following facts:
* Planet Earth is losing 4.7 million has. of forests every year. The area is larger than Denmark.
* A healthy ecosystem helps to protect us from diseases. Biological diversity makes it difficult for pathogens to spread rapidly.
* It is estimated that around one million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction.
Reiterating the need of protecting Mother Earth, I am quoting this Native American Indian quote:
“You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of your grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich with the lives of our kin. Teach your children what we have taught our children, that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth.”
May this reminder ring in our minds always.
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Congratulations to my kasimanwa, Alliah Janine Al Rashid of Barangay Inayauan, the newly-crowned Lin-ay sang Negros and the first to win the title from Cauayan since the pageant was held 26 years ago.
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Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. (Psalm 96:11-12) – NWI
