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My birthday bouquet

Yes, I turned 45 years old yesterday. If there's one word that can describe the past 45 years, that would be gratitude.

Mer-nel's cake

I am grateful for everything and everyone who have touched my life, made it happier, and made me who I am today.

The grateful living started with my parents who gave me a good and easy life, which prepared me to go through life with a positive outlook. They gave my brother and me good education. One remarkable thing my parents did was send me to schools that will pave the way for my easy entry to good jobs and opportunities. First they sent me to a La Salle school (La Salle Iligan). When asked why, my father would say, "Aside from its good instruction, it has a school with a good network outside of Iligan. It has nationwide appeal." Second, they were not scared sending me to UP Diliman, far away from my hometown Iligan, to go to college, despite their friends' advice against it.

I was 16, a female with the "promdi" sheltered life, yet they trusted me to be able to make sound decisions. I was not really by myself here since my Uncle (my father's elder brother) and my Aunt (my father's close cousin) were already residing here. But I had to live in the dorm as commuting would be harder. I was given the freedom to do anything. Practically anything, huh, because I saw my permit records in the dorm, and they were all ticked yes. LOL But I held on steadfast to the values already inculcated in me during my younger years. My going to UP Diliman is something I will forever be grateful of. Even up to now, anywhere I go for meetings, conventions, I would always hear my Alma Mater on top of the list. Makes me proud!

My brother despite his shortcomings only has great support for me and my kids now. He is generosity personified. No questions asked, he would always lend a hand, give support especially to the needy. I thank the Lord for giving him that kind of life.

Then, I met my husband and we had kids. My new family also has nothing but only positive motivation for me. I am a working mom, yet my kids are close to me. My teenager even kisses and embraces me in public, even in his school. People seeing this would always notice and appreciate it. Yeah, I'm grateful for this openness in the family. After 15 years (15th this year) of being married, my husband and I are as loving as as attuned to each other's needs still. The relationship deepens every passing year, and this makes a great positive impact on our family life.

And as I always mention (or write about here), I have a strong support system at home through the years: my househelp. I grew up with househelp, too, and they have become like our aunts to this day.

This is my strong support team at home.

The years between my time in university till I got married, were so precious to me, too. Those were the times when I was given the opportunities to know myself more and what I am capable of achieving. I met different folks with different strokes. Every encounter is a great learning experience.

I believe in paying it forward. So, every day I try to spread positivity to infect other people. I try my best to raise grateful children, and try to do good as best I can so that other people will have it easy despite the challenges we face every day.

Aside from my kids, my greatest achievement so far is when people come to me and thank me for helping them cope with life. Even if I feel ancient when a friend would tell me, "I remember you telling me before that I have to know what exactly I want to be or to do, and I did just that. And I'm A-Ok now." I tell you, nakakataba ng puso (it's so heartwarming!). :)

I like what Pope Francis said, "And I repeat it here. Everyone has his own idea of good and evil and must choose to follow the good and fight evil as he conceives them. That would be enough to make the world a better place."

Posted by Meikah Ybañez-Delid

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