When the gremlins told us that they were joining the school's Outreach Program to Romblon, I hesitated for a bit. I had to ask them several times, especially Rago, the younger one, "Are you sure? You're going to take a boat and cross the sea from Batangas to Romblon. The boat ride will take you 4 to 5 hours. Are you sure?" And their father asked, "Is that your final anwer?"

Both chorused, "Yes!"

Fine! I have to remind myself, they are no longer kids. They are teenagers! They can start to be responsible. And they are now starting to venture out on their own.

In retrospect, they are braver than me. Ha ha... I was Gabo's age when I left home in Iligan to go to University here in Manila. I still remember that as my father and I traveled farther away from Iligan and nearer to Cagayan de Oro where the airport is, I felt lonelier and lonelier.

Well, I don't really have problems with my kids going on a field trip or an outreach, especially of this kind. This is where they will learn more about life, go beyond their comfort zone, get to know other people of different backgrounds, and most importantly, they will learn about volunteerism and advocacy. It is through volunteerism and advocacy that they develop concern, care for people, and passion for a cause. For me, if you have passion, you will pursue the meaning of your life.

My worry mostly lies in the fact that they would take the boat to Romblon. That means crossing the ocean. What if in the middle of it, they would suddenly feel scared, panicked and ill? Extreme fear can lead to trauma, you  know, and I don't want that to my children.

What can a mother do, but to pray that they will have a good journey.

Judging from their text messages, I know they are having a good time. They talked about having fun swimming in the sea, about Rago not getting a good sleep, eating only vegetables and fish (na di boneless, according to Rago - ha ha!), throwing a party for Sr. Divine because it is her feast day...

I am sure more stories will be shared when they come home tomorrow night. Each of them will race against each other to tell us his own version of stories. They are like that. When you ask them, "Oh how was your day in school?" They would blurt out a thousand-and-one stories that happened in school at the same time! Ha ha!

When the kids cross the ocean by themselves, they learn to know more about themselves, the parents learn to let go and trust the Lord more, and definitely, new memories are made.  


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