The Missing Rib

The Missing Rib

God saw that Adam was lonely, during his sleep, God took one of Adam's rib and created Eve. Every man has been searching for his missing rib, only when you find the woman of your life, you'll no longer feel the lingering ache in your heart. So see how a man find his rib only to find out it was a case of too little too late...

A girl in love asked her boyfriend.

Girl: Tell me. Who do you love most in this world?

Boy: You, of course!

Girl: In your heart, what am I to you?

Boy: The boy thought for a moment and looked intently in her eyes and said, "You are my rib. It was said that God saw that Adam was lonely, during his sleep, God took one of Adam's rib and created Eve. Every man has been searching for his missing rib, only when you find the woman of your life, you'll no longer feel the lingering ache in your heart."

After their wedding, the couple had a sweet and happy life for a while.

However, the youthful couple began to drift apart due to the busy schedule of life and the never-ending worries of daily problems, their life became mundane.

All the challenges posed by the harsh realities of life began to gnaw away their dreams and love for each other. The couple began to have more quarrels and each quarrel became more heated.

One day, after the quarrel, the girl ran out of the house. At the opposite side of the road, she shouted, "You don't love me!"

The boy hated her childishness and out of impulse, retorted, "Maybe, it was a mistake for us to be together! You were never my missing rib!"

Suddenly, she turned quiet and stood there for a long while. He regretted what he said but words spoken are like thrown away water, you can never take it back. With tears, she went home to pack her things and was determined in breaking-up.

Before she left the house, "If I'm really not your missing rib, please let me go." She continued, "It is less painful this way. Let us go on our separate ways and search for our own partners."

Five years went by...

He never remarried but he had tried to find out about her life indirectly. She had left the country and back. She had married a foreigner and divorced. He felt anguished that she never waited for him.

In the dark and lonely night, he lit his cigarette and felt the lingering ache in his heart. He couldn't bring himself to admit that he was missing her.

One day, they finally met. At the airport, a place where there were many reunions and good byes. He was going away on a business trip. She was standing there alone, with just the security door separating them. She smiled at him gently.

Boy: How are you?

Girl: I'm fine. How about you? Have you found your missing rib?

Boy: No.

Girl: I'll be flying to New York in the next flight.

Boy: I'll be back in 2 weeks time. Give me a call when you are back. You know my number. Nothing has changed.

With a smile, she turned around and waved good bye.

Good bye...

One week later, he heard of her death. She had perished in New York, in the event that shocked the world.

Midnight, once again, he lit his cigarette. And like before, he felt the lingering ache in his heart. He finally knew. She was the missing rib that he had carelessly broken.

Sometimes, people say things out of moments of fury. Most often than not, the outcome could be disastrous and detrimental. We vent our frustrations 99% at our loved ones. And even though we know that we ought to "think twice and act wisely", it's often easier said than done.

Things happen each day, many of which are beyond our control. Let us treasure every moment and everyone in our lives.

Tomorrow may never come. Give and accept what you have today.

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Why Do I Have To Sit At The Back?

The Four Generations In One Car

We have a situation one day, as we were heading to a birthday party. We decided to take my SUV since there is enough room for all of us. My son will be driving and so my daughter-in-law will be in the front seat with her husband driving. The rest of us will be crammed at the back. There are six of us, me the Great grandmother, a new couple - my son and his wife, and a family of three, my granddaughter, her daughter who's 11 and a baby. I sat behind my daughter and in the middle is the baby in her car seat. Car seat nowadays are huge, enough room for an adult person to occupy. This is how we were seated, Me, baby and my granddaughter, Ana, on the same row.  The last row is where my great-granddaughter sits, all by herself, being the youngest. Well, she is not the youngest but because infants need to be safe; she ends up at the last row and the four generations in one car rolls to head to the party.  It was my cousin's birthday and whole family was there. From great grandparents to great granddaughters, you think it would be chaotic? It was and we had so much fun!

 Having four generations in one place is the best thing in the world. For a moment, I sit in a corner and watch everyone, as if watching TV for the first time; everyone has a smile on their face. The oldest and the youngest are all there, their age doesn't seem to matter. We really love parties like this because we get to know our families from the youngest to the oldest. The cake was also worth its significance, indulging our sweet tooth and there was enough for everybody. The food was fantastic and it was flowing like water or rather mud, almost dry and heavy from Enchiladas, Burrito, Arroz Caldo, and so on, it's like a mud slide but tasty without the gooey mud color. It was festive and colorful with all the flowers adorned. There was just so much food I pigged out! I should not but with all the wonderful things around me, I have no urge to resist temptation today and so I indulge to the best I can. The kids had fun with some games that the host family planned out. And there was no crying at all except for the baby which was not really happy to hear so much noise around, it's hard to sleep without being awaken by the loud laughing and screaming of the older children. The baby would drift into sleep and startled suddenly by the screaming during the game, the baby starts to fuss and cry. We solved that by putting the baby inside the room with a monitor and let the baby sleep while we continue the fun. Am sure, the baby won't miss any of that as sleep is more important at the moment.

When it was time to say goodbye, we hang out by the door, unable to just leave. It was hard but we have to leave for it will take us an hour to get to our destination. Everybody has something to bring home, there's too much extra food we'll help them eat and clean the house too, I mean the party. It was a grad day to remember.

When I was heading to the SUV I noticed that my great granddaughter was sitting in the front seat, busy with her iPod. She seems to be so Okay that she seems ready to go home. So I went to where I was sitting when we were coming and the rest goes on the second row me the baby and my granddaughter. Now, my son was already in the driver side but my daughter was still inside the host family's house. So we waited and waited until she came out of the house. Then realize; that somebody was sitting in her seat. So I said now where is Maria going to sit? I say it loud to get my great granddaughter's attention but she didn't even budge. She was so busy with her iPod that she couldn't even hear us talking about the seat. Nobody said a word to her as I waited for any reaction. I waited and waited; hoping somebody would tell her to go back to her seat. It did not happened! I decided to speak up. Ana, you might want to go back to your seat at the back so your mom can sit in the front seat. And she blurted out right there why do I have to sit at the back all the time?

I began to wonder if she heard me earlier but didn't want to give up the front seat. I was shocked but everybody agreed to silence, nobody said a word I waited again. I waited if somebody would speak up. I was hoping to hear from her mother, yet deafening silence is all I hear.

As I was the oldest in the company, I decided to tell her in a calmly manner: Since you are the smallest, that place is perfect for you.

And I waited again,  if she would move and go back to her spot. Well, she did but with a pouty mouth. So we went home in silence and I was thinking how in the world did that happen?

It is time to have a talk with everyone. From my understanding, everybody was sympathetic to her having lost her dad. Yes, she lost her dad and it was heartbreaking for a child. I understand that. But that doesn't change the fact that she has a mother, grandmother, uncle, aunts, cousin and all the relatives in her life. She needs to learn to know her place. As a child, she needs to understand that losing a father is not losing her life. Yes, a part is lost but a part is still there - her mom.

We had a talk after we got home. I invited them inside my house and sit down to chat about it. We agreed from now on, we keep her dad alive in us so she won't miss him that much. We told her about how we miss her dad too but there is always tomorrow to look forward and someday, the pain of losing someone you love will eventually be an instrument to be a better person for the love of someone you lost.

I am relieved after the talk for she came forward and gave me a hug. As she hugged me tight, she said: Grandma, you are right. I still have daddy in me. See, I look like him. Thank you for your love. 

Silayan - English Translation

Tuesday is our regular practice for choir. One Tuesday we were learning Silayan, a Filipino song and one of the boys mumbled about not understanding the song. He continued on saying "How would I be able to feel the song when I do not understand a word?"  

It caught my ears and turn to him who was sitting next to me on the front pew. It was Anthony, a 9 year old boy who is very intelligent and always eager to learn. That was an "Aha" moment for me since I speak the language Filipino. I then turn to him and ask him if he would like to understand the song. His eyes lit up and waited. Well, I began, the word silayan means glance or glimpse. Pag-asa means hope and while trying to translate for him, the choir direction lifted his hand, a motion to start singing and I got into the singing mode, the translation went into forgotten mode.

That incident followed me days after and one fine day, my translation mode kicked in and decided to just translate the whole song in English. So, here it is and maybe someday we can sing it in English, too.

However, if my Translation is not good enough, please understand that the act was made out of a teacher's mode to help a student who would like to understand a different language. Thank you.

Silayan at bigyan ng pag-asa

pagmamahal pusong nagdurusa

iwasan ang pag-aalinlangan

lahat ng araw kita'y mamahalin

Sa labi ng imbing kamatayan

itangi yaring pagmamahal

tulutan magtapat sayo hirang

lahat ng araw kitay' mamahalin

Through a glance,  love will always give us hope

Where there is love, suffering's in your heart.

Never, ever have reservations

All of the days, I will always love you.

Leave behind the threshold of its demise

Do cherish, affection with your love

Allow me to confide, my dear, to you.

All of the days, I will always love you.

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The Sikh Festival - Free Indian Food

A mixture of Indian food, a journey of taste and everything else on my plate I smell right now. The food from India is so full of aroma with herbs and spices, delightful to the hungry nose.  A piece of bread, deep fried to brown, just plain bread, gummy to taste yet delightful to bite. Some garbanzos in tomato sauce I believe taste salty and a green sauce to dip plus sour cream to add, creating a vegetarian meal. And oh, some freshly cut onions on the side, too. This is my first time to try something foreign to me. I love spices, please understand but India's food overwhelms me with spices so strong the aroma drowns me to my deepest. I will eat like a real person who hails from India just to challenge myself. I am not a picky eater so it should be fine. I have no clue how it would taste for now. All I have is smell.

It was a Sunday, after church I happen to pass by a temple, Sikh temple perhaps? Cars everywhere, covering all areas surrounding the temple.  By the ditch, a few took courage to park. Some parked on the side of a green field and the lucky ones parked on the side of the road, next to the temple. There were people everywhere inside the gated temple, the majority wearing fancy dressed and men with turban cloth. The women in particular look stunningly beautiful with their dark features and round eyes. The dress in bright colors adorned with glittering beads and matching silky pants made it obvious of the word respect of body, covering mostly all for the Sikh Festival. No baring, no midriffs and short lengths for them. Little children go around dress like the women and men of Sikhism - a monotheistic religion that originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region.

There are vendors lined along the gate as I enter the wide open gate. They each have a space, a shade from the sun, selling picture frames mainly of Sikh Leaders to jewelry of beauty and toys. Mostly are things from India, something Sikhs use as part of life like materials for the temple. The jewelries are abundant, most vendors display jewelry of some sort; earrings, bangles, necklace and something for the forehead. There are jewelry sets that are gorgeous, fit for a special occasion like this festivity. I fell in love and bought some earrings of soft baby colors and necklace to match for $10.  

I look around and suddenly it seems like I am in India. The thought of being a stranger; to them as they are to me, scattered everywhere hold together in a moment. Some looked at me with curiosity and animosity, I felt, wondering how different I was in clothes and look. I did the same stare but with curiosity and admiration with the way they carry their faith, decent and modest. I poked my head just enough to take a look inside, step back out in a minute and walk away from the temple.  Then, I noticed on one side of the open area, people line up with plates on hand. I wonder what is going on there and walk towards the line to explore...

Not sure what is going on, I ask one of the servers how much they sell the bread for. She responded to me - FREE. What? Free? Again, she spoke in a gentle voice "Food is free today. Would you like to try some?"  

I said yes quickly, not wanting to give her a chance to change her mind though I am not desperately hungry. She got a plate for me, a piece of bread (still warm), a serving from each pan ladled on my plate and hand it to me. I tried them all with enthusiasm, burn my tongue from the chili but happy my tummy is now filled. I sat on the edge of the pavement to eat my meal just like them and smiled.

After consuming my plate clean as a slate, I stood up and went back in line to get seconds for my husband. This time, I was an expert, line up like going with the flow, no questions because I know what to do. I did ask for a plate to bring home and the server smiled, meaning it is all right. I wish to say goodbye but there was nobody to talk to and just like that, I walk to the gate to get to my car. A couple was getting out behind me and said something about the bread so good. I replied "Yes, indeed. It is very good with a smile on my face."

Does it look like someone starving, leaving only the bones? 

Wondering Thoughts

Facing the street, I sit in my car and observe the cats passing through busy traffic as the bell rings; something the students keep their ears listening for it is time to go home. I wonder where that cat came from.  It must be from one of those newly built houses across the middle school. The houses lined up in rows, manicured lawns and almost identical, I would be lost sometime if I am drunk. But, no, I don't drink. I am sober as an angel. The weather is nice but a little warm as summer starts rolling in. There was no wind and that makes it a little boring to wait for my student. At least with the wind blowing a little harder, I'd see some dust going around in circles, like little tornadoes. I really don't want to be in a tornado, heard it to be scary. Wondering thoughts, too many...

Looking in the front, I see cars parked on the street and some students standing under trees for shade. On my right, a guy sits on a lawn chair he brought, got up as the bell rings. He must have been waiting for a while, I wonder. Is it really worth bringing a chair to sit while waiting when it only takes a few minutes for his son to get out of the school building? My mind wanders again while I got out of my car to check on my student. I couldn't see her from the spot she usually waits for me but she saw me first. She came running to me then heads back after dropping her backpack. She forgot something!

 Two girls were heading my way and I happen to know one of them so I smiled. She then told me that my daughter usually waits over the left side of the campus and told me to go over there. I said thank you to her and waited. She came back to tell me if I might be waiting in the wrong spot. Oh, I talk to her already and will wait here. And she, blushing in embarrassment, walk away with her friend. Then, my daughter emerges from the gate, running towards me. We're rolling to McDonalds for ice cream. No more wondering thoughts, my daughter is with me and that 's the most important thing today. 

Idle mind entertains too many thoughts. I better focus my mind with the person I love.