Jennifer, My Friend, the Juice Lady

Let me tell you about my friend, the juice lady.

For almost two years now, I buy my daily juices from her and she has always served me with a smile. I greet her with "Good morning!" when I see her and she immediately works on my juices. She knows my regular order and I don't have to remind her how many cups of ABC, AWP, BC and lemon, no ice. When it's a Monday, we chat about our weekend. When it's a Friday, we wish each other well for the weekend and separate with, "See you on Monday!"

She looks for me when I miss work either for holiday or medical reasons so I started telling her in advance that I'll be gone for holidays so she won't worry if I'm ill. I will never forget the very first time I gave her something from a trip - I handed her a bar of chocolate when I got back from the US. She stared at me in disbelief and asked, "Why are you giving this to me?" I laughed a little at her reaction and said, "Because you are my friend and I want to give you something from my trip." After my insistence, she finally accepted the gift and the succeeding ones. Her shy and humble demeanour is something I've always appreciated about her.

Last week, she was gone for several days and although her colleagues took over, I missed her. When she was back, I asked if everything is well and she said she is recovering from being slightly ill. Today, a Friday, I said to her "See you on Monday!" to which she whispered, "Today is my last day." I was surprised and immediately asked where she is going. She said she'll be resting at home and was reluctant in sharing any more detail. I wished her well and told her I'll be missing her.

I left the juice shop with a heavy heart. I felt like I needed to do something, do something for her and that our connection cannot just end like that. I went back to the office and started writing her a letter. That's when it hit me - I don't even know her name!

I got her a bag of Kisses chocolates at Watsons then went to see her. As usual, she gently pushed the bag away, saying I don't have to spend money for her. I told her it's a bag of chocolates that she can share with her family and friends. "I wrote you a letter and I realized I don't even know your name!" She smiled, "I also don't know your name. I'm Jennifer". 

She quickly grabbed the letter from the bag and read it. "Oh good you put your number here." I wanted to ask her number. I wanted to have a photo taken with her as a remembrance of her sweet smile. Instead, we hugged.

I choked, "Hello Jennifer, my name is Desiree."

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This has made me thinking, how many people in my life have I overlooked? How many of them have I taken for granted? Have I ever done anything to make them feel special and loved? Have I done things out of my way to reach out to them? Have I disregarded norms, social status or societal expectations to do what is right?

We are called to build and foster relationships. We were designed to love one another. We were created to live life with others through hospitality, fellowship, kindness and willingness to help one another.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. 

As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, 

if you love one another.”

(John 13:34-35 NIV)

Brutal Honesty or Tactful Dishonesty?

I used to not like it when I'm corrected. I wanted to be around people who like me and everything about me, which is of course not possible. Now I wonder how many of them were tactfully dishonest with me.

Being corrected is still not the best feeling in the world but I'm so thankful that God changed my heart. I'm now more open and less aggressive and defensive when I am corrected. And I no longer do the pointing game. 

I'm fortunate to have wonderful people who are brutally honest, not because they get a kick out of criticizing me or because they want to lift themselves up. They speak with unapologetic honesty because they want me: to know the truth, to grow, and to be back on the right path. All these they do with love. No callous pointing, just speaking the truth because of love, out of love and with love.

❤️

Happy Birthday Aileene!

Happy birthday to one of the sweetest persons whom I really treasure - Ayie! I would like to honor you by sharing the things that I love the most about you:

Candid 
Your infectious laugh, shrieks and joy. I like it when you send emails and messages in our What'sApp group about anything under the sun and out of the blue. What's best is that you still keep sending even if you don't get any response from anyone of us (sorry, guilty!)

Persistent
Thank you for the FB group you created for us and so far, it’s only you who have been posting there. I read them by the way  Thank you for consistently sending me e-books, I have not read or even opened any but I will one day! You see, your persistence is something I really love about you.

Spontaneous
You alert us about anything coupled with an invitation like seat sale, make-up classes, baking classes, massages, shopping sessions, etc. You say yes to trips, meet-ups and trying new things (you flew a glider plane!)

Thoughtful
You remember special days and occasions and you always have a gift prepared. You ask us how we are. You congratulate us on our achievements, big or small. I smile whenever I remember how you asked me, offered and brought to me the only cheek/blush make-up I use and the daily vitamins I take - all the way from Manila. You did this not only once but twice. You initiate even before we think about it. You offer even before we ask.

Loyal
We have been friends for 15 long years now. You could have let our friendship thin out over different stages of our lives (university, work, relationships) but you did not. I've been away from Manila for more than 3 years now but our bond is at its strongest stage – this has nothing to do with me; it’s you, all your effort and loyalty.

Forgiving
Your heart is so forgiving to all those who hurt you, wrong you, make you sad, make you cry. Thank you for teaching me to value relationship, respect and love over anger, hurt and fear. And thank you for overlooking my shortcomings as your friend.

Dog Lover
I've saved the best for last! I believe that people who love dogs are happy, sensible, generous, loving and simply awesome! Seeing how you spend time, effort and money on your babies shows how selfless you are.

Your name Aileene is from the Irish baby name Aileen which means light. You truly are the light of our friendship and of the lives around you. I love you. Happy birthday!

(Vision) Life over Death

Prayer meeting - an event I'm not too excited about because I'm not comfortable praying out loud. Nevertheless, I attended one yesterday for the medical mission to Myanmar I'm participating in.

Eyes shut, I was listening and silently praying while our leader was praying out loud. In pitch black, I suddenly saw a bulging white mass with the bottom part covered by red streaks. I don't like blood as it connotes pain and death. I jolted and quickly shook my head in the attempt to remove the image. Blood red, the streaks went up to cover the entire white bulging mass, looking like blood creeping fastly into veins. 

I thought, "Oh Lord, what does this mean? Will there be sickness, pain, or even (gasp) death?" Then, the almost red bulging mass started to pump. It looked like a body organ pumping, like a heart pumping blood. Then I felt life. What I'm seeing is not about death, it's a story of life taking over death - life being pumped into death.

I may have been initially scared about the vision I had because I thought it was about something bad, something I don't understand. But fear is not from God and the antidote to fear of the unknown is to have faith. I am believing that God brings life to everyone who believes in Him. He has paid the price for us to live, just like what my vision has showed.