Plant Now, Shade Later

“A society grows old when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit.”

This beautiful proverb will sound Greek to you if you’re unconcerned about your grandchildren’s grandchildren. But the ancient Greeks, turned out, did. The not so ancient past and the present are proofs of that, albeit imperfect.

I see myself as an old man because I am. I am turning 62 in a few weeks. Sixty-two in any language, shape and form is old. And I have an opportunity to be that person in the proverb not just because I am old. But also because I am in the present when my actions can help shape the future.

Over the next few months, I am not just flicking a switch or turning a water valve, I will prepare my heart and mind to elect the new leaders of our country.  

I prepare by praying. That God will anoint those that I vote for. That they may not only serve people wholeheartedly but also bring people closer to God, and be pleasing before God.

I prepare by contributing not only my time but also my resources knowing these will not go to waste or be pocketed because I will not be voting for proven thieves and crooks who have enriched themselves thru corruption. I am paying much attention now to my conscience more than ever.

Part of what makes this planting difficult is the fake information out there surrounding those who cannot tell the difference. 

I am only in the present until I am not. And in the shade of the tree I am planting now, I hope many will find rest sitting.

Cheers!

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A Christmas Story

Christmas remains my favorite season of the year. As a kid living in the province, I looked forward to having family members gather in one place -a different one each year. It was a time for me to get some real toys since, for the rest of the year, we hand-made DIYs using bamboos or tree branches or scavenged marbles. Arguably deprived in a way, my tiny mind understood.

Now, Christmas delivers an exciting challenge to gift-giving: what to give who, and how; individual or group; inexpensive or cheap (yep, I am that!); batteries or no batteries. And the mode of delivery, too. Not quite the galloping rush we were used to, there’s still a lot to consider.

Just the same, I feel the joy ripples in.

But first, a Christmas story and a song. My son, Andre, taking a short break from K-Pop music, played Ben & Ben’s most popular Christmas song, Bibingka, one coffee time.

Immediately, I recalled the time our favorite little neighbor, Pia, then 7, helped trim our Christmas tree. She took care of the lower area easily reached by her little hands while her Tito Andre covered the middle to the top.

Outside, I set up the lights. The highlight of the day was the lighting of the lights. Excitedly, Pia stood still in front of the house, waiting for the lights to come on. And as soon as they illumined her face, she sang a line from the song: “Nagsiawit ang mga anghel sa langit…!” Easily, it was one fine stuff that memories are made of.

I had a chance to tell the singer-composer of that song when Andre had him and their common friends over for coffee and guitar jamming. It tickled him. And Pia was on cloud nine. 

Recent memories like this I still can grab from mother time. Last night, I pulled her out of her cocoon to witness our annual Christmas lighting. And she, now 10, obliged doing a remake of the singing. 

The angels sang with us. 

Cheers.

Start here.

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I’ve Won Pulitzer!

Add to that the Nobel for literature.

It’s just how I actually feel right now. The reason is not a Pulitzer or the Nobel. What made me feel like a winner was one article in medium.com from one writing mentor-coach where my name was mentioned.

In the article, the author, John Cunningham, wrote, “His writing truly touches my heart.” Whoa! Did I, really?

I know it’s not that big a deal for many, but for a simple man who takes little to be happy, it sends me to a euphoric state so intense I could dance!

My writings -and you know this, are an ensemble of confusion and mediocrity, many times not hitting the mark I was aiming for. I agree that consistent practice makes perfect, but finding time and inspiration is a challenge.

Many more important things can get into my writing time like corporate work -I run a lighting design company. Then there is laundry. We do not have any maid nor do we outsource. I am duty-bound. Rinse and repeat.

And running. And golf. And Netflix. And toilet.

As opposed to doing laundry, writing is a non no-brainer task. For me, at least. And since I am not a Bo Sanchez who can write while riding a boat on rough waters -yep, I’ve been in one with him, an accolade from a fellow writer (😎 ) brings out the little child in me. It takes a little to make me happy. 

John’s article and the comments I receive for #mycoffeecupreflections raise my level from mediocrity to exceptional. You, likewise, though unknowingly, touch my heart.

Cheers!

If you’ve been touched, amused, or entertained by this post, or it put a smile on your face, please favor me with a cup of coffee via GCash or PayPal. I will continue writing.